The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-01-28

shown itself7 A people less inclined to intol-
erance lives not on the globe. Open, frank,
a nuuentative, and fair in all differences I
ooiuion, and according and securing to all tho
4 eedom of opinion. If they have not adopted
t.e Wild isn,s In morals and religion whi&
have been enqsndered like pestiferous insects
| la an unhealthy atmosphere at the North, that
| il not intolerance. 1t is but right to decline
| 10 approve that which we disspprove. But
for fair hearing for all, and for shelter and
| f)od for the stranger, where on earth ia there
country that surpasses 1t!
/; So far as Virginia is involved, the Dis
patch is not far wong. And yet, although
| a man may speak his mind without per-
sonal danger, still he cannot do it without
making himself very unpopular and I'M
comfortable in some circles. But that will
all pass away in good time. We must
have patience.
The Inquirer assals that great and
growing evil of the day,--snd one which
we regret to sec 30 largely encouraged, and
by people, too, who attend church, but
consider the theatre a very immoral
ace--"sensational," or to speak more
truly, clash" literature. Tho city is
flooded with this and it is more insidi-
GUS and sure sapper of the foundations of
yirtuous society, than all the other evils
we are cursed with. 1t also destroys all
health in literature, and perverts the tastes
of the entire land. Our contemporary, |
alludiHg to the power for good OF an en-
lightened, virtuous, and moral press, says:
In this day of steam and electricity, when |
each moment is crowded with events, and each |
hour is q volume of progress, when men are |
hurrVinn in bQ 90
fame and honor, there is no time, nor do they
stop to search through the dusty record of
ancient volumes for abstract theories; but they
are concerned about practical matters, and
they want to see brief discussion and synopsis
of everything in their morning paper. The
press is the literature of the day, and its
columns contain all that the general reader
needs either for his information or entertain
ment,
This general demand has improved and ele-
waited the standard of its style, and has widen-
ed and strengthened its power and influence.
To-day the open of ready writer" touches
The hearts and intellects of all conditions and
Influences public action. 1t is the power of
he land, but it is truth that just in proper
ion to the power for good in anything is the
power for evil. The press may correct abuses
ind cultivate and elevate public morals and
public intelligence, but may, on the other hand,
redtc anu roster aouse5 ana degrade tne NOR
lis and intelligence of the people.
Then it goes on to contrast the evils that
re brought upon us by encouraging
wicked, immoral, and even obscene publ
atoms.
They penetrate the domestic circle, and faint
nth their subtle poison the minds of the rising
outh of the land. They degrade journalism !
nd prostitute public taste into morbid, rest
sss extravaganza of thought and action. They
ot.bed vide aad infame the worst passions of
len. They are lepers filling with infection
he most sacred places; they are aids and
uxiliaries of drinking houses, gambling dens
nd brothels. They have wrested from legiti- 5
late journalism large share of public n
atronage by vitiating public taste; they are o
ablic nusances that ought to be abated. v
specially does the press owe itself aud the !
nbic the duty of branding, with such infamy u
J they deserve, this impure and filthy litera.
Ire, that rejoices in the prosperity of 'sensa-
onal journalism" n
All the healthy and moral literature Of p
le day can be found at Johnston g. Sell
ems, 9l8 Main street, a few doors below
le JOURNAL office. As to the " horrid
uff" the Enquirer denounces in its last
aragraph, we don't know where it is to
. had-perhaps. some place in the neigh-]
0rhood of Solitude"