The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1875-07-23
Tnz HAMPTON LEGION Rr-Us1os-Cox.


TO illustrate, as we'll as sustain this posi-
ton, we may cite the increased influence
OF public opinion over the Government.
since the introduction of railroads and
telegraph lines-those two great adiuncts
to the printing press in diffusing know
ledge. They not only facilitate the trans
mission of information, but they bring
the citizens of all sections into direct
and immediate communication with each
other, II not into personal conference.
While the Government, then, has become
more consolidated, public opinion has
also become more consolidated. While
the simple Federal Republic has become
strong nation, comparatively central
lied, the ''annihilators of time and
space" have also been introduced; and
public opinion. susceptible now Of rapid
concentration by the telegraph and the
1niiroad, Ts is too strong to be ignored.
The arteries and veins of the social or
ganism now permeate the entire system.
and distribute and diffuse throughout
all parts the annual products of indus
try.Me blood Of the corporate existence
while Its magnetic nerves, flashing from
all points the alarms Of evil or the
tidings or good, bind the whole together
IN sympathy-a conscious s'thing of
life! What is it? It is the expanding
form Of freedoms empire-the hope Of
man. It is the living, growing BODY DO
litic, in which throbs the great American
heart, with its unbounded aspirations
for progress. Its soul is the genius of
humanity; while the collective human
mind, finding its expression through
public opinion, presides over and pro-
tects it Such is the last born Of civiliza-
ttonc-a child of the new world, nurtured
hvy hn -E
Observe, also, the increased influence of
the "free press"-so aptly termed the
''fourth estate" in politics. In the early
history of journalism, the newspaper was
generally forced from pecuniary neces-
sity to become the organ of some party.
individual or particular interest; but to-
day the leading journals of the country,
those entitled to the proud distinction Of
the independent press, are sustained by
the ample patronage Of the reading and
business public, and are relieved from
the necessity or the temptation of court
ing pecunlary support from any particu-
lar source. They areindependentp pecu-
nlarily, as well as in principle, and can
not afford to be subsidized. They are
not expounders only Of public opinion,
but, to certain extent, they seek to form
and lead it; and even when supporting
political party, they can b 80 far un-
partisan as to repudiate party measures
really seekers after truth, refusing to
prostitute their columns for advocating
specific objects As there is necessarily
talent and ability connected with their
management, they are competent as we'll
as dlslnterested advisers upon all ques-
tions that arise. On the average. there
fore, the independent press will be found
on the side of truth, justice and right.
On the whole, as the political mentor, will
enlighten, elevate and purify the public
conscience. We had practical demon
stration Of the influence which this free
press now Yields, as the ''fourth estate"
In the social economy, in what was &C.
complished by the "great dailies" during
last year, in investigating and reporting,
through their special correspondent.
the real condition of affairs in the South.
After ascertaining the truth, they fear-
iess!y sn1 actively proclaimed it-thus
oattiing earnestly for right and Justice
against prevailing prejudice, and against
the policy of the party in power. The
respectable journals of the country: in
consequence, were soon engaged with a
few eIceptions) in exposing the fraud of
alleged Ku Klux outrages, and in de-
nouncing the corruption of carpet bag
misrule. The result was az beneficial to
the cause of good government and free
dom in the South, as the rebuke to the
party which had tolerated such abuses
was prompt and emphatic at the polls ;
while the course pursued 80 earnestly
and impartially by the enterprising jour
mails which originated the movement, will
be valuable as nm example, and is most
auspfcious of the future influence of the
press. Az. then, the influence of the
Central Government increased, the
decentralizing. influence of the press
also increased. as the supposed fatal
evil was developed, AN ample cor
rective, the Fourth estate" was evolved.
And while the vast patronage and power
now attaching to the National Govern
ment would have been regarded former
iy as inevitably subversive of our insti-
tutions. yet we have NO such apprehen-
sions, because an active, fearless and
powerful independent press is now always
ready land Ii able) to attack and expose
corruption, and to sound the alarm and
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