The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1869-08-06
No. 80,

moral tdioSy'acractcS of the Press pays the
slightest attention to any commentator
of an advertiser that can be made. That
man must be green indeed who, going as
a stranger into one of our cities, would
enter place of business simply because
the Editor had recommended it.
Who does not know that the majority
of these papers will publish more en-
phatic and extended notice of "Kenny's
Ale-IIouse" for "demiiohn of whisky"
than of the oldest aud most reliable os-
/ adjustment in the city that confines itself
to legitimate advertising?
do not hesitate to say, and with all
possible carnestness, that such conduct
is criminal and injurious to the last de-
gree. As far as such newspapers have
influence it is cxcrtod to make vice res
pectabIe. 1t tends to confuse the moral
perceptions of the young, to blunt their
scnsibilitics, to accustom them to vice
and harden them against tho truth.
1t IS true that the abuse Of gre1t
poorer is tic peruerSioB Of q great trust
The greater the power the more crilni-
nal and destructive is careless or ma
licious use of it. 1t will not answer for
these gentlemen Of the Press, who reck-
lessly play with thunderbolts, to raise
their hands in horror when they behold
the wreck and ruin that has been wrought
and exclaim-'I did not intend it,
They arc under every sanction of human
and divine law to intend not to do IT.
If fire Jrcak out, and catch in thorns,
SO that the stacks of corn, or the standing
corn, or the field be consumed herewith
ho that kindtcd the fire shall surely make
restitution" If |, for one, did not SEQ
that liccntious Press is responsible for
the ruin of thousands of our fellow citi-
zens if did not recognize in the Press
most potent agency for good or evil, /
should hold my peace. If a pure Press
is "the mighticst of the mighty means,
Oil which the arm of Progress leans" q
perverted Press is the most destructive
agent of sin and ruin that can breed
apostacies from Faith and from Liberty.
Hcll's great leader is terrible not simply
because he is wicked but because he is.
also powerful; he is Satan and Apollyon,
but he has been "Lucifcr, Son Of the
morning."
| have written these plain words be-
cause silence has ceased to be a virtue ;,
because with my convictions, silence
would be as wicked as the iniquities |
deplorc.
Such persons as may find themselves
embraced in the Indictment have no just
ground for complaint. If they believe
what they say they should thank me for
rextending knowledge of their scnti-
ments; if they do not believe it and only
publish what is paid for without regard
to the truth, they should not blame me,
since they themselves have already ad-
vcrtised their insincerity to the extent
of their circulation.
| | ask you, sir, in solemn carncstness,
whether there are not enough good men.
in the country to sustain secular paper
that we shall not fear to take into our
houses; q paper that will not be the or
gan of cIiques-that shall be free and
purc-that taking tic heavcn-tcmpcred
sword of Truth in loyal hands slab
"smito with fiery force" the most hoary
untrutlls and the mighticst and most in
cxpugnabIe corruptions of the rulers and
of the people
ATTICUs G.. HAYGooD-
atlanta, Gu, July 9, 1862