Middletown transcript., 1869-01-02
The Ne~wsp.v,cr,


per 10 like sensible and true-hearted
friend, whose appearance on ones thresh-
old or at one's 6reside, gladdcns the mind
withrthe promise Of pleasant and profta-
Bile hour.
This is very sensible view to take of
the subject. But, all people are not SEN
sible. Some men think more of chew
of tobacco than they do of all the mental
pabulum which all the newspapers in the
land could afford. Some are i" too poor"
to take paper, but spend more money for
whlskey than would suffice to pay for
dozen newspapers, and furnish their wives
and children with dozen of the best mag
azines. They are '.too poor" to furnish
some little mental aliment to their chill
dren, calculated to expand their minds
and brighten their intellects; but are rich
enough, and find money enough, to buy
huriful stimulants calculated to dwarf and
stupefy their swn. Such people are OBJ
Jects of pity. where they are not deserving
Of contempt.
A newspaper is the cheapest commodity
which manacan introduce into his house.
hold; 1t benefits him in thousand ways.
1t amuses and instructs him, and keeps
him posted upon current events, at home
and abroad. Itadviscs him Of all changes
IN business, removals, sales, purchases,
accidents, the state of the markets, the
state Of the crops. marriages, deaths, and
every incident worthy Of note, near or fur.
a good newspaper adds to the importance
OF the place where it is published. 1t at
tracts the attention Of strangers, makes
known the business advantages and the
facilities for trade and travel Of the region
around it, and gives many valuable hints
and suggestions to the farmer, the me-
chanic, and the man Of business. And
yet, there are men in business 1--WE will
not call them business men, who do not
support their local newspaper. They en-
joy, in common with every one else, the
general benefits which the newspaper con-
fers upon the community, but make no
return. Like the land-tortoise, they live
within their shells, and for themselves
alone. Not even Bunyan's Muck Rake
were more selfish or more covetous. Hap
PLY for society the number of such is
small.
The newspaper establishment is COM
ponent part of the business of the town.
The capital it employs is so much added
to the common stock. The money it earns
is expended in the community whence il
draws its support. Its employees mus,
have houses to live in, food to eat and
raiment to put on; and thus it aids in sus-
taining the community by which it is it.
self sustained; the benefit is reciprocal and
mutual.
% But its views do not accord with nv
own," says some one. Very well, do you
expect everybody to agree with you in
opinion Can you tolerate no opinion
that does not agree with your own? How
then do you expect other men TO tolerat.
your views? 1t is natural for men I.
differ with each other; and it is propel
and right that they should. 1t is the or
der of Nature. But you would revers'
Natures law, and make all men agree will
you. or prescribe them if they cannot
This is anti-republican; nay, more-it i
the quintessence Of despotism, of whicl
every republican ought to feel hearth
ashamed. The newspaper is as much en-
titled to its opinions as you are to yours
and We would not give fig for the edito
who has not the manliness to avow hi
sentiments and to maintain them. TIL
freedom of the press allows and require
it. In doing SO, however, he need not
and should not, do it in an offensive way
4 fair criticism of the public acts of pub
lie men is allowable, but where criticism
degenerates into personal denunciation an,
abuse. it is no longer an exercise Of th
Liberty of the press, it is RIGHTEOUSNESS
for which both personal and legal respou
sibility is incurred. A properly conducts,
journal will avoid it.
We might extend our remarks upon thi
topic, ad iiJitam, but let what has bee
said suffice.
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En- We notice that the local column of til