Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-01-15
PerniciOus Advertisements.

Perniolous Advertisements.
Among the greatest evils of the present
day is that Of publishers admitting mischiev-
Gus advertisements to their columns. We
have before us "6rst class agricultural and
family paper" and it occurred to us to look
over its advertising columns. We fud,
among others "Fowle's pile aud humor
cure :" doubtful. "Oures guaranteed for
tape worm, ulcers, tumors, epileptic fits, and
all chronic complaints !" more doubtful than
the other. A disgusting advertisement Of
DIR" j. Wales Brown, who offers to sue
cessfuly treat nearly every disease existing
and some that exist nowhere bat in the
imagination A vegetable lung relief"
whose sole merit probably lies in its service.
ability in fllingi the advertisers pocket.
"Bayoliue," which is advertised to work
miracles on the hair. "Publc library lot
terry of Kentucky" swindle. Nervous de-
bility cured !" most perncious swiudle.
"Lovers' Guide y worse yet. 1872 per
week, business strictly legitimate )" (why
don't everybody go to earning S72 per week
at once?) Fits aud epilepsy positively
cured A ten cent book on nervous and
sexual diseases y most dangerous kind Of
literature, especially for the young. A spec
ial notice Of another of those most abomina-
bly, demoralizing advertisements offering to
send "simple cure" for the effects Of
youthful imprudeuce," free. And several
other less Objectionable advertisements Of
most uDbushng swindles.
The same paper makes the announcement:
awe shall keep our advertising department
relatively quite small, and in another place
gives its rates for "reading matter notices"
We blush to say it, but it is true that near
ly every paper in the country will accept
these perncous advertisements, and what is
worse still, insert these reading ,notices--sell
their influence by palming off upon their
readers for honest editorial comments the
puffs Of these quack nostrums aud other
swindles, for 30 cents per line, aud even
be so bold as to advertise before the world
the price of these reading notices"
"We'll sell ourselves for so much ; who'll
buy?" Not only is this true of the general
press, but the independent reform papers,
and the religious papers, are guilty of the
same sins. Papers that profess to preach
"Christ and him crucifed" in one column,
in another give long favorable notices OF
lottery gambling schemes, gift enterprises,
&c. o consistency
The press Of to-day occupies response
bic position. Instead of the sword, us in
olden times, it is the press that makes and
unmakes our rulers. The mightiest power
in America is that welded by the press.
But while the press of the country is un-
yelling the Credit Mobiliers, compelling the
repeal of the salary law, and in other ways
compelling an unwilling homage from the
public servants shall this same mighty pow
er be carrying the seeds of moral ruin to
thousands of homes, and polluting the rising
generation, who are soon to come upon the
stage of action, with the filthy and disgust
ing advertisements and notices" which con-
front us almos. daily? 1t is time there was
q reform here, right at this source of all re-
form-the press. Let the people protest
against this base prostitution of what should
be the foremost instrument in all true re-
form, for filthy lucre's sake. Roll in your
letters of protest to the publishers, asking
that this evil be remedied, and the publish
ers will not fail to heed.
There are very few papers which keep
their columns pure and free from this almost
universal deflement One of these is the
California AgricultWrist. We believe we
know others among our exchanges, but can.
not recall them now. We know, however,
that they are few and far between. Lotter-
les, wal-Street swindes, patent medicine
men, and other humbugs pay money for adj
vrrtisement, and as Mrs. Livermore says in
America money is king.