Norfolk day book. [volume] (Norfolk and Portsmouth Va.) 1868-1880, 1869-07-16
FRIDAY MORNING, July 16, 1869.
THE VIRGINIA PRESS.

THE VIRGINIA PRESS.
The inventor of a. machine of any
kind secures patent, and through that
means secures a reward for his services
to the public; the statesman or politi-
clan is honored with positions of emolu-
ment whereby they secure their reward
for services to the public. But the
| editor-how about him T.? If he
achieves the greatest success of the age
10 comforting boon upon the public;
if his talent. however humble, is brought
into use and develops great good to
the people,-should he not be rewarded?
Then how is that reward to be con-
ferred Surely not alone by writing
him down in history as public bene-
factor That is making the present
generation pensioners on the future.
Besides, that won't make the pot boil
on his family hearth. Then, again,
look around us at the fruits of this
evil-our State is to-day filed with un-
productive drones who are living on
the fame of the deeds of their ancestors
and not on the labor of their own
hands. Mol That is not the way.
The editor needs present, tangible re-
ward, and that should come from those
on whom his talent has conferred pre-
sent, tangible benefits. Don't 90 on
tick for your public benefits. &c. 0.
D." is a good thing in politics as well
as business.
But how shall you coufer these re-
wards ? Why, by subscribing and
getting your friends to subscribe to his
paper, and extending to him liberal
share of advertising patronage; for by
this means you give him present re-
.-rord help him out OF I'' r~~ ,~--'.
dilemma into which he may have been
brought by pursuing the course that so
greatly reverts to your benefit; and then
further, you give him helping hand to
bring into use for the benefit of the peo-
pie any talent he may have; however
humble that talent may be, by being
cherished it may hereafter bring forth
fruits that will again gladden. your
hearts. Don't force him to become a
drone or pensioner on the State, but
subscribe to his paper and advertise in
it, that he may use his press as a power
in the State for the good of the people.
Surely this election should teach the
people of Virginia a lasting lesson as to
the immense value of their press, for
to the energy and skill and unceasing
labors of the press are they almost en-
tirel y indebted for their salvation from
the despoilers.
Look at it as you will, a people who
fail to cherish their press, after such
herculean and successful efforts as the
press of this State has recently made,
are surely derelict in duty to themselves,
their children, and their State; and lay
themselves open to become the dupes
of demogogues and designers on their
liberties. and the liberties of their de-
scendants. The press is or should be
PRACTICAL, and unless the people are
educated to keep pace to the progress OF
the times, they fail, and become hewers
of wood d drawers of water to those
who do.
The Virginia press, with few excep-
tons, have done nobly in the recent
contest. They have moved the masses
aud saved the liberties and the proper
ties Of the old Commonwealth, and they
will now so on and lead the people to
the building up of such state of ma
terial prosperity, by means of develop
ing manufactures, mines, agriculture,
internal Improvements and commecee
as will speedily make us powerful
people on this continent. But the pres
cannot be conducted successfully with
out money patronage, support, and being
cherished in its liberties and indepen-
dence, We say to the people of Vir~
ginia and the South, look to and cherish
your practical press, if you would come
out Of the "Slough of Despond" in
which demagogues and bad men have
placed you.
CHINESE LABOR CONVENTION.
We regard this movement as the most
important OF the age. The consequent
ces for good or i'll will be serious and
pervade the whole South. The conven-
ton opened at Memphis on Tuesday ok
Gov. Isham. G. Harris, of Tennessee.
presiding. A committee was appointed
to consider and report upon the most
practicable means of inducing labor
from China and India, population best
shifted to the climate. of this commit
tee J. W. Clapp was appointed chair
man. The meeting was largely attend
ed and represents the capital of the
Observation-Disclosures from all those
States being present. The object is not