The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1869-03-31
lFor tho Ncwberry Herald Il

, gratitude, for the pains, which
you took to mako my late visit to
Newbcrry, both pleasant and pro.
fitahlc. 1t was u source Of un-
fcigncd pleasure to mo, to find IL
man filing the editorial chair, who
is not afraid, or ashamed, to idcnti-
fy himself with thcscauso Of rcli-
J gion, and preside in II Sabbath
, School. Not that I think it q
condcsccnsion, in tho most gifted
and elevated, to take this position;
on tho contrary, the honor is CON
fered by the cause, on it's advocate !;
still there arc not a few, who un-
dcrtalle to control and mould pub
lie opinion through the press; who
arc hippant in their uttcranccs,
and irrcvcrcnt in their manner to-
wards the whole subject Of Roll
gion.
Whilst sitting in your sanctum,
my mind was more deeply i'm
pressed than ever before, with the
value Of our local newspapers,
and their extended capacities for
usefulness generally. There arc
some facts in relation to them,
which arc indisputablc. First,
| they ITO and wW exist and this,
TOO, in the face Of the generally
conceded fact, that they arc never
profitable in pccuniary point Of
view, except when they arc man
aged BY practical printers. There
is scarccI Iy country town from
the sea- board to the mountains.
which has not it's Weekly
Newspaper. Somebody must find
bread, ifnot money, in their pnb-
lication.
Another fact in their history is,
that they have a circulation in
their own locality, which no other
newspaper possesses.
a farmer, or citizen, in country
places feels, generally, THAT he
m"sf take the District paper, if he
should be able to take no other.
lie wants TO sec The ADVERTISE
mcnts, and to know what is pass
ing around him near his own home;
and after these subjects have been
disposed ot, he looks to SOC what
the editor has 10 say and then, if
there is any news from Congress,
or he Legislature.
Then the young people look into
the "iunny'' corner and if there
is any correspondence, it is almost
certain to he read and the graver
matter is laid over for Sunday
reading.
Another fact is certain, viz:
The managers OF our local press
have never planted themselves on
that fearless and independent basis,
to which they arc fairly entitled.
The metropolitan newspapers $50
callcd), have assumed to give tone
and direction TO public opinion, or
almost every subject.
This is attributable in part to
the fact, that they are able to com
mand more experienced men. as
editors, and control an extended
city patronage.
The "wcc!iIics" can never com
pete with the daiIics in newS; but
that is no sufficient reason. why
tho editors Of the smaller papers
should not maintain entire indc-
pcndencc Of thought on thc great
topics which ayitalc the popular
mind. 1t would be well for this
last named class Of editors to re-
mem bcr that they havo an audi
cncc, peculiarly their own; and
that OF the thousand or moro read
ers, who SEQ their county news
paper; q worry small proportion
ever got q sight Of tho more pre-
tcntious city issues. The days arc
fast passing away, in which the
prestige Of tho city shall control
the manners and opinions Of tho
country. Our farmers and me-
chanics, arc the bono and sincw Of
tho country. and should cultivate
indcpcndcnthabits of thought and
feeling, rs they arc already indie
pendent in circumstances. Our
local press can do much toward
bringing about SO desirable q re-
suit.
These village papers will also
afford a most useful medium
through which local talent can bo
cultivated, and encouraged to de-
vclop itself. The Poets corner,
consccratcd to shrinking genius,
which is almost terrified at the
thought Of appearing before q
critical public, will furnish an en-.
couraging resting place for com.
positions Of real merit.
In conclusion, allow mo TO sug-
gest to your readers, that cvcry
family should have at least one
good religious j Journal, Of its o'On
decentralization tho District
paper--and thcn as many moro
good publications, as means and
taste nHay Justify.
g Lot mo n1sO sav tn oil ,yhn not