Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-09-18

The agencies and influences dat list
Tor the information and consequent anne
lioration OF the human family are as nu-
merous and varied as are the individual
characteristics and wants Of the rnee.
The reign Of ignorance Ii yielding its
sway; matter Ii succumbing to mind:
the discoveries Of one age are made
tributary to the incompatible achieve
incns OF the succeeding age. Much has
been written on the power and use Of
steam and the electric telegraph. both Of
winch have been utilized for the most
valuable purposes and employments of
he. But great as have been these dis
'uveiies. the press must be acLnOwl-
edged ns power far ansconding them
in Its adaptation TO the unnumbcred ne
cessitics of mankind. Besides. the ap-
plication Of science 10 the wants Of the
world is principally indebted ~ the
dress for practical value and brilliant
success
The public press may be Justly regard
ed as the grand educator Of the people.
the cOnservatOr Of public morals.
the safcty-valve Of the nations. the
worlds parliament. Without IL the
orators voice would be stihed. the
siatcsman's voice paralyzed. the poets
sweetest instiratiOns lost, and all those
ton would fail Of their designed effect.
But it Is in the stprncr everyday reali-
ties Of mercantile life in country like
ours that the newspaper press Is the
great necessity. Without IL the bust
ness man would be a mere wandering
star. or tossed about like the waves of a
restless sea- doubt and insecurity would
reign universal in the mercantile and
political world.
The multiplicity Of mechanical inven-
tions which every year are preseI ted 10
the public are indebted 10 the press,
which gives them the publicity without
which they might remain in compare
tive neglect. So also Of every other en-
t"rprl-c. whether Of manufacture. chem
istry. medicine, oF other scientific re-
scarclI-lessening the amount Of physi-
a. labor and clcyating the condition Of
men-thc press stands pre-cmincnt as the
grand cunseryator and atahful guar
dian. Under it, influence il l. almost
impossible that any scheme which bas
SCI for ils primary object can succeed.
The scaiching light which the press
throws upon any unworthy measure
VIII nj once cunEign ii 20 its merited
oblivion, and thus prevent an unsus-
pcoting public from becoming the dupes
Of the unprincipled and dishonest. On
the other hand, every project. invcn-
ton. or principle ol real merit will ever
receive from a true press that attention
which its claims deserve and the welfare
Of the public demand. As the power Of
the press for good or evil il incalcul-
able. how important that its aims should
be- Characterized by the highest princi-
pi" 81 honesty and unsuiiicd integrity.
thus fulfilling it, sublime mission. Car
lyle, in his striking way, said. Great
j. Journalism. l. not cycryeablc editor
q ruler Of the world. being "A pursuader
Of il. though sclf-elccted. yet sactioncd
by the sale of his numbers" This pas
sage recognizes the important fact that
journalism is a distinct and lofty profess
sion. exercising an influence and power
over society that has never yet been
measured. Neither statesman. nor di-
vine, moves in more extended sphere
than tie journalist, or has more demand
for q q use Of the noblest faculties Of
body and mind. Siancing in immediate
contact with the public. he furnishes
the intellectual alimcni for the people;
is n leader Of public opinion. and the
guardian of the peoples righis.--Nctc
]ort Mercantile Journal.