Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-09-30


longer than the twenty minutes used by
him, The story told Of Mr.. Hooper say
ing that "man went abroad doing business
aud looking out for his family, with his
dog following him. the women and cats
staid at home" There is some change
now. Some men sit in the corner with
the cats, and smoke. Women and dogs
are subject to taxation but neither can
vote.
Another anniversary may mark as great
changes. What can they be?
The Press" was responded to by the
following letter from Rev. Geo. h. Shaw
of Biddeford, who formerly did some edi-
torial work in Paris.
s. p 4Hdrim, Corresponding Secretary OF
the Committee Of the Centennial AnHireT-
sIry Of Paris
Permit me to thank you, and through you,
the Committee, for the invitation 10 be
present at the Paris Centennial Anniver-
sary, and respond for the Press" Nothing
could afford me greater pleasure than to
comply with your request; but for reasons
need not mention here, / am Obliged to
decline, SO | must be contont 10 respond
only by letter.
Whoever may be selected TO respond in
nv stead, will of course give special at
tention to the history OF the press in the
town of Paris. interspersed with such re-
marks, incidents and anecdotes as may
occur need then simply TO speculate
little on the press generally-its power and
influence, including those associated with
il. Being native OF Paris, and having
many relatives there, have always had n
very high appreciation of the people of that
town. No town in the County, If in the
State, ever had better class OF citizens
than were the early settlers OF Paris
Most of them became independent farmers
and what added greatly 70 their success,
the women, wives and daughters, were
their equals in mental capacity and energy.
The press Is indebted to some of them for
many very superior literary contributions.
Paris people have not been unmindful OF
the Importance of the press, and have done
much 10 sustain il for many years and Il
long time ago furnished type-setters aud
journalists. Some Of them since that time
have attained 10 high positions under the
Government, and will probably honor your
Anniversary with their presence.
4 learned philosopher once defined man
10 be- an animal that laughs. And the
press sometimes develops the mirthful
powers, and makes merry its readers. But
nobody has yet discovered how animals
communicate their feelings or Information
from one 10 another, and yet we all know
that in some way they do it, The language
OF flowers is laid open TO US, at least, IL Is
n 70 la. AT
both sexes. that they can readily convey TO
whom they will, the deepest impressions,
aud the most ardent sentiments, In vo-
cabulary whose words are flowers. The
poets. however decried they may be by
hard, practical people, who pride them
selves upon taking only common-sense
views of things-pcople who think they
are wisest when drycst and dullcSt-the
poets. insist. frequently got NJ the truth,
and tell IL, when acutest logicianS and
reasoners fail 10 catch 4 glimpse OF IL.
And these poets with the knowledge that
comes from intuition, speak everywhere.
and all Of them. OF laughing eyes, and
laughing hair, and laughing breezeS, and
laughing meadows, and laughing plains,
rills. fields. hills and skies all OF which
means that these various objects, animate
and inauimate, convey by some sign, or
movement, or expression the same idea OF
laughter which man eyinces by cachinatOry
sounds. The press announces the bcaut-
ful poetic sentiments, and they are telc-
graphcd 70 the uttcrmost parts of the earth,
and the whole universe resounds IN Que
grand song Of praise.
The philosopher was wrong when he
thought that his characterization of man
A. the animal that laughs" was just or
precise. \ better definition would be- the
animal that gives dinners. Men are social
beings, As the school PHILOSOPHERS say
They believe in having good time to-
gcJhcr. This il perfectly natural. large
portion OF animals like 10 go in herds,
drovcs or iocks, and live in company; and
man Is not an exception. He is the only
animal that deliberately goes 10 work. and
collects a lot OF good things, desirable and
delightful 10 eat and drink, and then calls
To himself Il lot OF his kind 10 help him
devour them. This has been characters
tic OF the citizens Of Paris from the be-
ginning. can remember when more than
sixty years ago the Paris people were noted
for giving dinners tea-parties aud social
gatherings for amusement. Grand old
I: he only made call was expected 10
take social glass Perhaps he suffered
no apparent Inconvenience from the prac-
ticc vet the evil consequences extended 70
those who came after him. But the
t0nJas and the press has done much 10
avert the evil
These social gatherings inspire CONVEX
sation which embraces the range of COM
1T II. .,,t. IL.
Through the medium OF speech the inter
change Of our ideas, knowledge and emo
tions is improved. Conversation pro-
PEELED BY truth and waited on the waves OF
virtue and good will 10 man, Is one OF the
most charming and happifying blessings
with which human nature Is endowed
The press, that potent engine Of thought,
receives its tone and general tendency
from the current of conversation. In vain
we attempt 10 push its influence beyond
the channels or away from the direction
opened and pursued by its pioneer, the
more potent and lordly energy of the
tongue! Yes, there would lie the treas
ureS OF the press, in unbrokeu neglect, did
not the spirit of inquiry, awakened by con-
versatiou, recall them to life.
Let conversation demand change in the
character of the press, and the press will
prove itself subseryient. Let common
talk consign Il portion OF it to contempt,
and that portion ceases TO live. The man
who can talk well need not fear the press.
But TO talk well he must be well read. He
can engage living books TO speak his merits,
and lisping newspapers TO publish his fame.
He can exclude the unSavory gazette from
the circle OF his influence, or make the
printed herald welcome where it was once
stranger. Let it then be understood.
that IRE who talk, and not they who print,
are responsible for the character of the
press. The press must ascertain the will
OF the public voice, in most instances, be-