The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1868-02-20
THE PRESS.
From tho Nashville Banners "small

Ialk'
There is class Of men who affect .
condescention toward tue journalist,
which is intensely amusing. The writ.
er for the newspaper appears to their
blinking eyes kind of literary adven.
turer, who Is to be tolerated for his
genius, but not to be trusted in busi.'
ness. They are ignorant that 1t il tho
paper that sells their goods, furnishes
oil their facts and presents them gratu-
itously with their opinions. They do
not know, as Jay Cooke does, that the
newspapers of America sold two thou
sand millions ofnational bonds. They
do not know, as Edwin NJ. Stanton
knew and Pope Walker knew that tho
newspapers OF America sent 100000
men TO the var on either side of the late
struggle. They do not know that tho
newspapers of America will nominate
the candidates for the Presidency, deter.
mine the election, dictate their legisla.
ton of Congress and decide whether
Andrew Johnson is to be impeachsd.
Newspapers lead them by the nose
wherever they go; but they do not feel
the pressure, which is the particular
reson why we waive this especial tweek.
We write this for the good of our pro-
fession. That it will be read by the
public is something we can not help,
nor DO we care, though the argument
may appear too much ofa boast. But
VIC are in earnestin the declaration that
journalism is the greatest of all pro.
fessions, the most powerful in the fu
ture. Its destiny in America is especi,
ally noble, for this is nation Of read
ers. Journalism would be tyranny
where it is not for the impossibility Of
q monopoly. The independence of
thought and the rivalry Of journalists
make it the permanent ally Of progress
and freedom. 1t moves with the pe0-
pie, and as it influences them is inhuen-
ced in return. Thus, it will grow with
the nation Every man who edits
paper, even though it be an obscure
sheet on the borders Of civilization,
should know his responsibility. He
should remember the dignity of his pro
fession and sustain it. We make pub.
lie opinion, and the men who make the
laws and execute item are appointed
by our will. The newspaper is the en-
CINE which moves and directs the mas
ses of mankind. We foresec the day
when all other protessi2ns will be, in
confession as they are in fact; depcn-
dencies Of this absolute empire OVER
thought. There is no method of act
ing upon mind Of revolutionizng tho
convictions of a nation, ofinspiring new
ideas and directing popular move
ments,' says W1kSe's Spirit Of the
Times, (which compares with the press
in rapidty, directness and extent. All
other methods are clumsy or imperfect;
but this is almost like the light Of the
sun, so swift, electric and universal is
its influence. Yet how young and un.
developed is the new empire. Journal
ism as profession is creation of the
last thirty years; as Il great profession
it is no older than the telegraph. But
to day it is the supreme power of the
world. Thirty years ago the orators
ruled America day it is ruled by the
editors This sway will become far
more absolute than any of us can real
ize. See what has already been done.
Wchave put a newspaper into the hands
Of every man who reads in the United
States. For a mere trilc the news Of
the wnoiie ncrld is spread out before
him, day after day. Cau the pulpit or
the forum do as much? They, at the
most, can but proclaim absolute truths,
which were the same three hundred
years ago, but the newspapers give the
facts. We have brought the telegraph,
the steamboat and the railroad into our
service, and with other inventions will
come more varied means of obtaining
Information and distributing it rapidly
md cheaply. This secures us the en-
rance to every household. and then
follows the use of the opportunity. The
orator and the preacher have not this
advantage. They must ask
for q hearing; we obtain it by force
The people can avoid the lecture room
or the church, but they cannot avoid
the newspapers. What is the ambition
Of the orator now? Not to make his
speeches, but to get them published
The Office of the speaker as the leader
Of men has perished forever Demos
themes is dumb; in his stead is the .'pale
and silent man who, writing alone at
midnight. holds the fate Of empires up.
on the point OF his pen"