Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-08-16

paper from the various IfOlutn nc fAHAtes
Newspapers.
Nearly two hundred years ago II was |
said by British Statesman of some repste, |
Fletcher of saltown, that he cared not |
who made the laws OF a nation, provided |
he had the making of their ballads. This
was at time however, when important
events we're chronlcled in ballads, sung
and said throughout the country, and
transmitted orally from one to another,
and from generation to generation. But
now that nations are less addicted to
ballad-singing, and more given TO the
reading Of newspapers, the high Office Of
ditfuslng intelligence, moulding public
opinion, making men, and amending
manners, devolves to a great extent on
the editors of daily and weekly journals,
making the position Of an editor one of
great importance and responsibility.
It has justly been said that the circula'
tion Of newspapers would have contribu-
ted more TO have preserved the freedom
of the ancient republics than all the in
stltutons Of their legislators. Complete
ly at the mercy Of their orators, the cti-
zens Of Greece had nothing lasting and
recorded 10 guide them. Writings, how
ever imperfect, would have been a surer
guide than the eloquence Of either Pericles
or DemoSthenes. Beeause Of the quick
transmission Of sentiment, and the readi-
ness Of expression and discussion, cities
have ever a tendency to democracy, and
are ready 10 resent every act Of tyranny
and injustice, which might be perpetrated
with impunily in reuioter settlements.
Newspapers communicate to a whole
country the advantages formerly pecu'
liar to q city, and they do so with as
much rapidity and more precision than
could have been done in times past fran
one quarter Of large town TO another.
Burke, nearly a century ago, had the
sagaclty to perceive, that they who can
gain the public ear from day to day, must
in the end become masters of public
opinion, and the rapid increase OF the
HuAAhNlH anu lhMuEuAN VI utMhHt lNio
more than iustifes his prediction. Per-
haps in no country in the world, is this
more abundantly verified than in the
United States, where at least four fiths,
probably fve-sixths OF the entire adult
population are readers, while the youth
of the country are enjoying educational
advantages, far superior to those enjoyed
by their parents. We have not only
the newspaper itself is a schoolnastei
whose influence is everywhere felt
while as medium Of intelligence
1t is universally regarded as
indispensable, and is eagerly sought
daily for instruction. There is nc
other medium of instruction adequate tC
the wants of the people. The churches
of the nation eaa accommodate only abou
one-iourth of the population, while mort
than three times the number have read!
access to the daily and weekly newspapers
1t is undeniable that the influence Of HI
press upon the public mind is greater thai
that Of all other agencies combined. Tn
press is the main iulcrum and support 0
liberty. The most eloquent spcechc
would expire with their own echo, unlus
they were printed and circulated in tn
columns Of newspapers.
The gr7d power u' tle press msy !
supe degree be judged .i by inr cyu
lions which .rpug-uous. leesltiy
bodies, and ambitious politicians scckin
public favor put forth to secure Il
friendly Offices Of an influential lourna
There is no denying tho fact that u
newspapers of a community lay the fount
alton OF public opinion it Is all impo
taut therefore that they should be col
Quoted with intelligence and honest,
exposing fraud, corruption, and iucomp
tvncy in public men, and couusclliug II
community 10 whatever may tend to PR
mote their best interests, regardless
all 5ectarian or political party consider.
tons
1t has been the constant aim Of tn
journal to speak the truth in all seriou
ness, to give faithful reports of passir
events, to encourage such enterprises
seemed calculated TO conduce to the pro
perity Of Wilmington, and TO promo
the welfare Of Its citizens and thoul
two years have not yet elapsed since v
issued the lrst number OF EVERY EVE
iNG, we have by far the largest circul
ton of any journal in the State, and o.
subscribers are constantly increasing
number. Il is moreover from a kno
ledge Of the fact that our paper Is rel
by almost every reading member Of {
community that we have such an extc
siye advertising patronage 1t is gra
flying to know that our efforts thus 1
have been appreciated, and as IN t
past, So in the future, sc shall endcay
TO merit a continuance OF the patrona
we have hitherto enjoyed.