Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-12-10
ANOTHER SENIOR GRAFTON.
Tuf: FRi.EDOM OF THE PRESS

emerge from the darkness, ignorance and
superstition of the Middle Ages. Tyrants,
who for years had ruled with rods of iron,
and Knew no laws other than those enforc
Ell by themselves, found their power weak
cninS slowly yet mos: fatally.
On the ether hand, those who never
knew aught else than to obey the voice of
their oppresSorS, seemed TO be imbued
with new life, new passions and new de-
sireS; not such rs tend to plunge huran-
ity into deeper degradation, but to lift it
up. ennob.e it and place it in its proper
sphere.
Within = space OF fifty years changes
occurred that 4 few years before seemed
not only improbable but impossible. New
lands We're discovered. new theories pro-
,nulSateti and new inventions produced.
The papal power received blow from
which it never recovered; monarchs no
longer plead for pardon at its throne nor
dreaded its sentence OF accommodation
patriotism ard the love OF liberty went
mercc received 4 new birth and grew Us
only such powers can grow after having
lain dormant for many years.
Among the many important Inventions
Of this period none can claim Il greater
prominence than that of printing. In its
simple forms this art is known to hSve
been prscticed by various nations from re-
mote antiquity, but all efforts to trace it to
its earliest use have proved frllitless. That
the Assyrans and Egyptians were familiar
with some rude method whereby they i'm
pressed their bricks with strange and
curious characters has been shown by
ruins that have been unearthed from time
to time. Later VIC find Roman inscrip-
tions more perfect and bearing 4 more
striking resemblance to printing thus step
by step there appears to have been Il
gradual preparation for the completion of
the art as it is known to us. Considering
the amount Of labor required by the
ancicnts in copying their books by Len
or brush, it has been matter
OF no little surprise that they should have
approached 10 nearer to printing with
movable type before the middle OF the tif-
teenth century. The time and place of the
invention Of this art is not definitely
known ;howcycr, the claims of John Guten-
ber. are most generally recognized. In
143S he is known to have had in possession
printing material, press, and as is claimed
by some, movable type but it is not before
the year 1850 that any worksarc identified
as coming from his press.
With the revival OF letters, the demand
for literature steadily increased. Tic
Ec"s letter soon gave way to the news bal
lad, which was sun. or recitcd in public,
then followed the news pamphlet and final
ly the newspaper.
The first newspaper published in the
United States was issued at Boston in the
iall of the year 1890. 1t ut once attracted
the attention of the Legislature, land on ac-
court Of its containing "refcctiOn of
very high nature" rs they thought, Il Sec
ond copy failed to appear.
But such 4 suppression of news litcr;.-
ture, the suppression of a means of knowl-
edge, was not destined to continue many
years soon other paperssprang up and the
freedom of the press was insured by that
one clause in our constitution which says
. Congress shall make no law abridging
the freedom Of speech or OF the press"
Yes, ours is 4 free press, free to defend the
people against all us,lrpatlon by those in
authority, and free to demand that both
people and rulers continue true 20 their
country and to the law.
The newspaper not only represents the
thought OF the people, but appears for or
against them rs defendant, accuser, Judge
or jury, as the case may demand. The
power that it wiclds and the Influence that
it holds can only be estimated when we
consider how destitute wc would be with
out it.
If, then, our press bears such vital rc
lation to the welfare Of our people, should
1t not DC held subject to certain laws Of
equity and be restrained or condemned
whenever it Oyersteps it's bounds
Some one has said, "Whatever we would
dO for our country must be done for the
people,
Especially is this true under republ-
can form of government not only do the
people make the laws, but it is for them to
see that they are daily carried out. If the
press speaks for the people it is essential
that it utter nothing but what shall be for
their best interests and truthfully repre-
scnts their views. But how far has it re-
manned true to its vocation?
Let us examine it in few points and sec |
whether it can bear the test of a close scr,l-
tiny,
For :sn intelligent person to pick up a |
copy OF many Of our leading dailies, es-
pe:iai!y Of the so-called organs-during
the heat OF Il campai gn--anl carefully |
read their contents, he is at once lei to |
suppose that our country is in imminent |
danger of being ruined and soon to be
numbered among the nations of the past.
Not only is this the case with the organs
Of one political party, but most sadly true
Of both.
10 expect 4 true statement of the con-
iiticn OF our government from party organs
ut such time is to indulge in hope as
vain as it is hopeless. Each party feels it
to be its solemn duty to Outrival the other
as fer as possible in wild and idiotic arti-
cics. True. this is not the case with all
The secular press, but the few that stand
rs exceptions arc of but little consequence
III opposition to the majority that have
seemingly lost their power Of reasoning.
Can such !: press tend to educate or elevate
Z people?
Again, 1t has become the duty, for duty
It seems, oi many OF our papers to bring
before their readers crime in its most re-
pulsivc forms, no: simply to note it in
general way, but to devote whole columns
n infinitely describing the most repulsive
AMI blood curtllns deeds. such headings
Is n Chapter Of Crimes" "a Galaxy of
Horrible Trasedics,' are Of common oc-
and the more startling the head
ines are made the more salable becomes
he paper.
OK such 4 character is much Of the etlu-
'atiOn that is impaired to tine people of our
and and especially to the youth. Its
influence can already he
ecn and felt, but when the rising genera
ion shall have 4 voice in the governing Of
,ur religious as well rs political affairs,
ne fruits Of such Il sowing of dragons
eeth will be then most sadly reaped.
We do not ask-nord do we think it would
'e we'll for the secular press to assume the