Connecticut western news., 1880-06-30
THE IDEAL NEWSPAPER.
An Extract from the Address o1 Charles G. Fairman Before the
 New York Press AssO- citation, -r

citation. -
 What is a newspaper? For 38 years, boy and man, have been engaged in the making, printing, publishing and editing of newspapers and yet stand here, in this presence, after all that period, frankly saying to you that can not answer my own question in man ner which shall either satisfy myself or instruct you. One might as well ask what is human being? .,........
 We see them every day, we read them, we magnify them, we glorify them, and yet what are they? I speak as we'll If one as the other Both are radiant with intelligent faces, both speak 8 "various language" and leave their impress on thought and mind. In one sense news paper is tangible thing; sheet which you can handle; piece of property which you can buy and sell, worth five cents piece or $1O year. As merchan- disc they bring this, and one is worth it nearly as we'll as another. There is lit tie difference in the cost of them con- sidered in that aspect. In another sense newspaper is an inspiration; it is an influence it is 8 teacher it is an advo- cate; it is companion it is a house. hold god. There is no merchandise in that part of 1t. ...a
 Gan man sell his soul? What do you buy when you pay your tuition at college or school? It is not the man. hood of president or professor. It is not the benches on which you sit. It is not the building in which you are shell tered. It is not two dollars worth of anything in particular. You cannot measure off the exact length and breadth and depth of that to which you are en- titled. You cannot tell at the end of your term whether you have realized the full value of your purchase. Suppose you have got less. What then? Where is your remedy? Can you sue and collect? !? Suppose you have got m ore. Where is your liability Can you be sued for res titution When you have drawn in all the inspiration which the college has to give, when you have picked up all the knowledge and wisdom and experience which you can find stored away in the venerable institution, and stored the same away in your own minds, you have got all to which you are entitled, and go home, having received the perfect fulfill ment of your contract. ... .- When it has breathed into you the breath of all the life it has to bestow, and parted with Its own knowledge to your good, it also has fulfilled, and is entitled to receipt in full. But when, in pursuance of agreement, you have got all that it has got, and take this precious burden away with you to your several homes, there is just as much left behind as there was before you went away. You have been drawing upon fountain which is exhaustless and immortal. The more it gives, the more it has to give. Your predecessors have done the same before you. Your successors will do the same after you. All find equal and unfailing sustenance at the bosom of Alma Mater.
 As with the school, so with the paper. You can pay your subscription price at the counting-room; you can acquire the right to be served with copy; all that is commercial you can buy. Butyou do not own the paper. You did not start it. You cannot stop it. You can learn from it if it is teacher; you can be in- A11opood Inv if if # is on odvooo%o opd you can love it if it is companion. But though you read it every day, and fill yourselves with its ample contents, it comes back again on the morrow freshly burdened with its wealth of thought and information. That is the newspaper.