The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-04-15
ne with the ballet girls or stronr.minded

There is no newspaper of either continent
that is equal in circulation to the London
Times. IL crculates in all countries and Is
under the eyes of all people, and yet doubt
very much If there is paper on the face of the
earth that is more abject slave, In all Its posi-
tlons before the people, rs this one Is in relation
to that common master called Public Opinion.
The loyal people of this country smarted under
the keen, hard thrusts which our nation was the
recipient of at the hands of DIR. Russell, the
Times correspondent In America during part
of the late war. DR.. Russell simply obeyed In
structions emanating from the London Office of
the Times. He took his cue and dared not de-
part from it. II he did he knew what 1t would
cost-the next steamer would have carried
new set of instructions to the London letter
writer on our Shores aud they would have
been:-'Pack up your traps and report by the
next steamer to our English headquarters
This slavery to public opinion, be that opinion
right or wrong, Is, to my mind, the most perni-
cious abuse of the freedom of the press. / am
far from disparaging public thought. believe
in the rule of the majority; but don't believe
that because question is popular, that because
the public is on its side that therefore the ques-
ton is right. The world as well as individuals
must be educated beyond the dead line of mere
party chickering's and strife. (Applause.) On
questions of abstract right and wrong the educa-
ton of our nationality demands our most pains
taking care and faithful devotion; but then again,
there is something reaching above and beyond
nationality. To work for national good and
advancement Is indeed glorious; but far more
glorious is it to work for universal good. Ma
the moral and mental progress of the world. /
cay then that public opinion may be tyrant,
and TO educate 1t out OF its tyranny is the high
est moral duty of the newspaper as an element
of universal progress. (Applause.)
Classical history tells many an interesting
story. The old story of the ostracism of Aris-
tides gives good illustration of the tyranny of
this public opinion. 1t mocked at Cranmer; it
laughed at Harvey, for the discovery OF the cir
cuation of the blood.
Those who Knocked were convinced the print
ing press would either crush them or be crushed.
The most humble of village papers has not only
its "poets corner" but also department of
book criticism. could name paper in your
own city that has no peer in this line of litera-
ture. Whatever we may say as to the course of
the London Times, one thing must be admitted
they always pay an amount for their literary
department that calls to their aid first-class
talent.
do not wish to draw any invidous distinc-
tions. would not have the Press muzzled.
God forbid! / believe were 1t not for the press
1 should not stand here tonight, and my race
would still be in the gall and bitterness of bond
| age but for the press, that grand part of the
| organic law which protects us all would never
| have been engrafted on the Constitution, and
liberty and equality would not as now be the
rule of the land. In the cloister of Abrogasta
| dwelt John Guttenburg one of the inventors of
printing. His spirit was stirred within him,
and spirit passed before him and tempted him
| in the guise of an angel of light. 1t said
"John Guttenburg, thou hast made thy name
! immortal; but oh aJ what price, Bethink thee
| what thou art doing!
''The ungodly are many more than the good!
Thy work will but multiply blasphemies and
| lies. Thou hast uncovered the bottomless pit
Henceforth swarm of seducing spirits shall
come forth like the brood of Abaddon, and
make the earth n hell oh think of millions
! of souls corrupted by thine exploit, the venom
| of fiends distilled into the souls of tender
maidens, and boys made old by 1t in the expe.
rience of sin. See mothers weeping over theiI
demoniac SONS, and grey-haired fathers hiding
| their faces from the shame of daughters. Yes
| even the young virgin will be seduced to read
| what she should never have listened to, and thy
| press shall be the panderer of lust. Destroy 1t
John. Forget thy monstrous conception; for
bear by multiplying the resources of the wicked
to make thyself throughout all ages the partner
of their crimes"
From such dream John Gutenberg awoke
and no marvel that he trembled. He was on the
point of burying his secret in oblivion, as the
genius in the Arabian tale shrank back into it
casket and was engufed by the hand that haC
enlarged it. 'But reflected" says the sublime
discoverer, ''that the gifts of God, though Otter
perilous are never bad. saw that to endoV
intelligence with such faculty was to oper
fresh fields to wisdom and to goodness both alik'
| divine l proceeded with my discovery"
During the lecture the Senator was frequently
interrupted by the plaudits of his auditors, ant
at the close he was greeted with q prolonged
round of cheers, the audience thus marking
their approval of the "man." A number o
those present ascended the stage in order tt
have hand-shake, and some even pressed upol
the Senator for his autograph. He received al
politely, and after the lapse of few minute
quietly retired.