The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-04-10
Value of the Press.

he great value OF Vlglant. nonest anu
independent press, is beyond computation.
Its price is above rubies. The press is the
palladium of our liberties, the great engine by
which popular government must ultimately
be supported and sustained. If doubts are en-
teftained upon this subject, in any quarter,
proofs are at hand. Witness the following:
From The Baltimore sun, Of Tuesday:
1.-The defeat ofthe early call constitution bill, of the
for the lease of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal,
would alone enttle the Legislature TO public COM
nendation and it is matter of sincere Qualification
10 The sun that its counsel, which prompted by
motives of consideration for the public good alone,
was followed not only in these particulars, but in
many Others, and that its efforts 10 prevent bad leg
.islation were promptly recognized and usually re-
speeted The voice of The Sun has been heard
throughout the session in no uncertain tones when
ever the peoples interests were threatened and its
course is best sustained by the results in leading
matters oflegislation'
From the Baltimore american, Of Wednesday,
In reviewing the work of the Legislature, THE
AMERICAN has cause to feel gratied at the results
of its labors in behalf of reform and good govern
ment Its policy of speaking openly and decisively
upon all questions which were before the Assembly,
and in suggesting needed reforms, gave it an in
tluence which was not only felt and acknowledged,
but was most useful in shaping public sentiment
and determining the fate of measures passed upon
The bill 10 abolish opium joints and concert halls
owed their success mainly to the championship of
extent and enormity of those evils and it did II so
thoroughly that the exposure resulted in their abo
lition.
1t was however, in preventive legislation that
THE AMERICANS best work was done. Its iRdepen-
dent position left it untrammeled by partisan OBJ
sacles that beset the path of party organs and 1t
had the honesty to call spade spade, and toshow
up the true inwardness of political lodges that
were masquerading as reforms.
From the day of the election until the day the bill
was. killed, THE AMERICAN opposed the Constitu
tional Convention scheme, while the ring organs
had
limited editorials endorsing the popular necessity
of the measure. THE AMERICAN fought it from the
first 1t disclosed the sinister motives and purposes
of the men who engineered it, and it did this work
so eiIectually that many of its champions at first
IcAN first showed up the scheme that was after
wards embraced in the Canal bill, its articles
denounced by the men who were interested, and
who knew better 1t was the truth that they feared
and il the truth that knocked all the life out OF
the bill before it had been scarcely born. The
AMERICAN was the first paper 10 call attention TO
the iniquity of the Grand Jury bill and the Board
of Charities bill Both of these unrighteous devices
of partisan schemers are now dead. THE AMERICAN
TOO sustained the Police Board in the order regard
ing the new patrol system. which has undoubtedly
increased the efficiency of the force.
1t is not always well TO blow ones horn, but facts
are facts, and facts compose the platform on which
THE AMERICAN invariably stands"
What the Legislature would have done,
and what the body polite would have suffered,
without the counsel and guidance of these
two invaluable guardians of the public
veal, no one can conjecture. The virtue
and intelligence of the Legislature were equal,
no doubt, to the average of such bodies, and
were important factors in shaping and deter
mining the legislation of the session; but,
without the light of the Sun, and the lynx
eyed watchfulness, vigilance, and stern devo-
ton to truth and honesty of the american,
all the ills in Pandora's box might have been
turned loose in our dear old State, and gen.
erations yet unborn might have felt the smart
of the evil legislation inflicted upon them
through the Vaccinations of the wicked lobby
that infested the corridors of the Capital.
Thanks to these two metropolitan journals,
who exercised over the Legislature more than
acerberean guardianship, we are happily
spared the dire inaiction.
And then, they are both so modest, withal.
Modesty is ever allied with true greatness.
Neither OF them take all the credit to them
selves, but generously concede something to
the Legislature. This is well. Our legisla-
tors had the intelligence to perceive and the
grace to pursue the right; but, be it remem-
bered, under the guidance and counsel of our
two great Baltimore luminaries, one of which
sheds eight for all, and the other with its
legend liberty enlightens the world Some
papers are wont to puff themselves ad nduse-
am. but none will venture to hint that these
are in that category.
The modesty of the american challenges
unqualified admiration, and is greatly to be
commended. 1t even declares it ''not always
good to blow ones horn" 1t is well known
that neither of these journals are ever guilty
of this improperly. The Sun might, at
times, if it would, gently sound its oboe or its
bassoon, and the american its trombone, but
they modestly practice the scripture aphor-
ism-,'Let another praise thee, and not thine
own mouth" Modesty is always the accompa-
niment oftrue greatness. Therefore the State
will never know the extent of the services
rendered by these guardians of her interests.
But if there be lack of appreciation, in the
public mind, on account Of the lack of infor-
nation on this subject, the public may be
well assured that these invaluable journals
are not without preciation-Sonae'chere