The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1869-03-31
For the Newberry Herald j

you took to make my late VlSlt 10
Newberry, both pleasant and pro.
6table. 1t was a source Of un-
feigned pleasure to me, to find a
man filing the editorial chair, who
is not afraid, or ashamed, to identi
fy himself with thescause Of reli-
gion, and preside in a Sabbath
School. Not that [ think it a
condescension, in the most gifted
and elevated, to take this position;
on the contrary, the honor is con-
fered by the cause, on it's advocate;
still there are not a few, who un-
dertake to control and mould pub
lie opinion through the press; who
are lippant in their utterances:
and irrevcrent in their manner to-
wards the whole subject OF Rell-
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 are
some facts in relation to them,
which are indisputable. First,
they do and aoW exist; and this,
too, in the face Of the generally
conceded fact, that they are never
profitable in a pecuniary point Of
view, except when they are man.
aged by practical printers. There
is scarcely country town from
the sea-board to the mountains.
which has not it's Weekly
Newspaper. Somebody must find
bread, if not money, in their pub
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
mast take the District paper, if he
should be able to take no other.
He wants to see the ADVERTISE
ments, and to know what is pass
ing around him near his own home;
and after these subjects have been
disposed of, he looks to sec what
the editor has to say ; and then, if
there is any news from Congress,
Or the Legislature.
Then the young people look into
the funny" corner; and if there
is any correspondence, it is almost
certain to be 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 are fairly entitled.
The metropolitan newspapers $50
calIed), have assumed to give tone
and direction to public opinion, on
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 "weeklies" can never CON-
pete, with the dailies in neers; but
that is no sufficient reason: why
the editors Of the smaller papers
should not maintain entire inde-
pendence of thought on the great
topics which agitate the popular
mind. 1t would be well for this
last named class of editors to re-
member that they have an audi
ence, peculiarly their own; and
that of the thousand or more read
ers, who see their county news
paper; very small proportion
ever get a sight of the more pre-
tentious city issues. The days are
fast passing away, in which the
prestige of the city shall control
the manners and opinions of the
country. Our farmers and me-
chanics, are the bone and sinew of
the country, and should cultivate
independent habits of thought and
feeling, as they are already indie
pendent in circumstances. Our
local press can do much toward
bringing about so desirable a re-
suit.
These village papers will also
afford a most useful medium
through which local talent can be
cultivated, and encouraged to de-
velop itself: The Poets corner,
consecrated to shrinking genius,
which is almost terrified at the
thought Of appearing before a
critical public, will furnish an en-:
couraging resting place for COM
positions of real merit.
In conclusion, allow me TO sug-
gest to your readers, that every
family should have at least one
good religious Journal, Of its ovn
denomination-then the District
paper-and then as many more
good publications, as means and
taste may Justify.
Let me also say to all who pat
ronize their District paper, that
you should not allow the publisher