Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1876-01-29

The sphere of the press. as an edu-
Gator, says the American Journalist, il
almost illimitable, and its power for
good incalculable. As the right arm
of popular education, it Is everywhere
a necessity. 1t is charged with high
andimportant mission. not only as a me-
dium Of information, but as the guard :
ian of the morals of the community.
As an educator, il should combine the
character of both instructor and NOR
alist. 10 educate, implies something
more than to impart popular informa-
ton, something more than toteach the
arts and sciences, the various branches
of literature; it includes, also, the in
culeation of sound and good principles,
enlightened, moral and religious seDti-
ment. If as has been truly said, Tis
education that forms the common
mind" how unspeakably important It
is, that sterling principles should be
illustrated and enforced by those whose
calling it is to educate. Under the
weighty sanctions imposed Ly the high
position they occupy, their calling be-
comes one of great responsibility. Pu-
rity of sentiment is of more import
ance than refined and elegant language.
Language may fascinate the mind aud
please the Imagination, but sentiment
sinks down deep into the soul, and
contributes largely TO the formation of
character. The educator is planting
germs whose fruit is for eternity.
The sphere of the press, as an edu-
Gator, is larger than that OF any other
instrumentality devoted to such SER
vice, and more potent in its influence.
1t reaches farther than the pulpit, it
goes into every family, to every indi-
vidual. 1t is more universal than any
other agency of instruction. It is.al-
most ubiquitous. Its scope and end
compasses the civilized world. IF not
in the technical, yet in true and prac-
tical sense of the phrase, liberal ed
ucation may be obtained from the press,
aud the graduate at this, the best ofall
our literary institutions, always carries
his diploma with him, in the general
he posses on themultiform
topics of the age, on the arts and
sciences, history, geography, mechan-
ism, metallurgy, finance, physic, Ian
guage, trade, geology, discoveries, gov
ernment, law, insurance, mining, rail-
ways, manufactures. patents, COM
merce, mathematics, and all that con-
stitutes general knowledge.
1t is the province of the press, as an
educator to keep. up with, yea to lead
in the progress of the age we live in,
and when 10 good hands, it does all
this. While it educates, 1t at the same
time, respects the conscieuces Of its
constituency, how muchsoever they
may differ from it in tentiment on re-
ligious, political, or secular subjects,
and is the firm and impartial protector
of the equal and just rights Of all, in
everything.
The press Of this country educates
its readers to a high appreciation of
the largest freedom consistent with
sound morality, aud the gensral good /
of the country. Educates toa govern
mental policy, whether national, State
or municipal, that is eminently free,
but not icentious, and equal, without
sweeping away those distinctions that
are requisite to the order and subor-
dination of society.
The world owes more to the press in
its onward progress in all that is great
and wise and good, than to any other
agency of a similar nature. IL has, in
an eminent degree, educated the ma
tions to their present standard Of civ !
ilization. 1t has largely contributed
to the removal of serfdom from Russia,
and slavery from America. It has IL
lustrated and enforced the universal
brotherhood of man, softened the as
perities that arise from difference in |
religious sentiment, shows
a mutually of interests and depend
eRce. and gives jaster views of the re-
lationship that exists throughout the
great human family. The press is |
an engine of surprising influence aud
no one is fit to manage it, bul he who
is willing to concede to others the
rights and privileges he claims for
himself. In no other hands is there
positive safety and reliable security.
Controlled by others, there is immi-
nent danger that its wisdom will de-
into craft, its power into ty-
ranny, and its good will to hatred and
revenge.
You have here, in brief, what man
ner of man he should be, who wields |
the mighty lever that can move the
world.
If our remarks upon very import
ant aud interesting subject, should
serve in any degree, to stir up the
minds of the editorial fraternity to a
keener sense of the high secular and
moral attachments, indispensable to
the press, in order to become a great, |
and successful educator for
lasting good. then shall we be amply
for the labor of this art
icle. We here rest the case for their
reflection and deliberation.