Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-03-14


the long ages dow to within three cent
uries, the world did get along without
them, and almost without substitutes for
them, as the news-criers OF the olden time,
and the written new-summaries OF later
periods were hardly entitled to be called
substitutes for newspapers. Inc neiu TOT
news was then very limited, to De sure,
but the methods for gathering ana oistri-
buting it were only OF the most primitive
character. But within thirty years, ana
especially during the last decade, the pro-
gress OF the newspaper press has been very
marked. Its machinery has been so per-
fected by some OF the most ingenious con-
trlvances of inventive skill, that now there
is practically no limit TO the NUMBER OF
papers that can be printed OF q morning
aud sent by early trains In all directions
| The manufacture OF psper-lack oil winch
greatly retarded the early progress OF
printing-hss been so enlarged by improv-
ed methods aud the utilizing or new mate
rails that the supply Is ample to meet all
demands.
Along with increased capacity for max
ing newspapers has also come vastly
greater facilities for obtaining news; aud
as consequence a largely increased de-
mand for the newspapers. In iorty years
railroads enough have been built to reach
around the world eight times. In thirty
years sufficient telegraph lines have been
constructed TO encircle the earth forty
times.
The railroads are thoroughfarcs oftrade
and travel between the centres OF popula-
ton in the same and adjoining countries (;
the telegraph, crossing oceans, has es-
tablished instant REORGANIZATION be-
tween all important points OF the gloNe.
The merchant must now have his market
rcports not later than the morrow OF each
day, and the intelligent reader is content
with nothing short OF good daily sum
mary of the whole worlds news, only
reading at breakfast extracts from London
journals OF the same morning, issued a
few hours earlier there than here.
The augmented facilities for printing
coupled with the enormously enlarged DO
main from which 10 gather intelligence oil
occurring events for the columns OF the
newspaper, have given to the newspaper
business the vigorous impetus TO when
we have already alluded, and especially IN
this country, where freedom OF speech aud
of action furnishes conditions indlspens-
able TO its rapid advancement.
During the past ten years the daily pa
pers OF this country have increased 40 per
cent in number and more than million
copies in aggregate circulation; while Ia
king the whole class OF periodicals, daily,
weekly, monthly, quarterly, &C, the in-
crease has been % per cent In number ana
30 per cent in aggregate circulation-the
increase OF population for the period be-
ing but 30 per cent-the aggregate circu
lation oqualling at the rate of one journal
As often, at least, rs once week Tor Cv'
ery person Of reading age In our country ;
and for which was paid an aggregate sum
equal 10 more than dollar and half for
every man, woman and child OF cur whole
population.
The world does not furnish-it has new
or furuished-a parallel TO the diffusion
and localization OF the newspaper In this
country, a. shown by our last census re-
turns. And 1t Is apparently but the begin
ming Il is but 80 years since this new
life and growth begaL and during the last
ten wears OF this period the increase in the
number OF the daily and weekly journals Is
more than double the increase for the pre-
yious twenty years, bearing with II also
over nine millions OF increase in aGgresa ate
circulation than for the two proceeding lie
cades.
Indications point TO continued rapid pro-
Rre.s, thus constituting the newspaper
press more and more an important factor
in education aud the moulding OF pubic
sentiment; OF course also, correspOndiugly
ausmentiug the Importance and response
biliiy OF It's mission.
The newspaper press may, aud u oush''
10 become the light OF the world-the Zoe,
the terror OF all who seek darkness rather
than light, because their deeds are evil.
And i'm the mental upheaysl, scientific,
/, theoloylc. social and political, for which
our tine is distinguished, 10 should
through free, fearless, Independent dis
cussiop. seek 10 steady the current Grili
T Of thought and hold II loyal to truth, abid-
ing in the conviction, confidently ex-
/ pressed by jefferson three generations
} apone. that error cannot prevail IN the enc
when truth is left free 10 combat II.
| 1t should aim 10 check the wild Nagaries
that would dethrone the Creator aud ln-
stall IN his place the doctrine OF chances
that symbol of uncertainty, confusion ana
upbelief. 1t should expose the weakness
and selfdeception that can doubt The e1-
. isteuce OF those immutable laws which
for ages on ages have unerringly upheld
the infinite fabric of the universe, have
, maintained undisturbed the cesseless ''har-
mony OF the spheres" have governed all
nature from the smallest plant 10 the
largest world.
IL should expose and combat the uu-
reasoning creduilty and Inconsistency that
can accent, as We all do accept, the indie
structibilitv or Immortality OF even the
lowest grade OF insnimate matter, aud YET
doubts and refuses 10 believe in the indiS
/ tructibility. the immortality OF the con-
scious. intelligent, rational soul, the no.
blest the most woudrous work OF Creative
Power
The press should labor to cast down
these perucious vagarles and 10 uphold
truth. because the community without
rsi,h-like the indiyidual,-is without sta
bility OF character, without trust, wit houl
the most efficient motive and inspiration
, 10 blameless life and ennoblinS deeds.
The LApIrs-whateyer other masculine de.
partm cnt the fair sex may be united iOF Dy
nature or excluded from by custum, their
, presence here tonight demonstrates that they
can and do achieve most glorious success as
, "Bears."
Responded to by Judge Enosh knight
. Mr.. President, Ladies and Gentlemen
The animal whose name we bear has q
language well known 10 him who Is skill
ed in woodcraft II Is the scoring oil his
size and power OF reach, upon the smooth
bark OF trees, by hieroglyphics inscribed
with his teeth, when stretching himself al
full length. l have thought with what
true instinct and with what success this
branch OF the family has scored its record
with the teeth tonight.
| have recalled another fact; which also
belongs somewhere in the domain OF nat
ural history. 1t is the custom which mas
always obtained, and is rendered very EN-
, phstic and conspicuous on this occasion,
; that not only puts the task OF replying 10
: | ,hia tnast nnnn the most retiring anu