The Forrest City times., 1894-05-04
On The Newspapers.
Contributed to TER TIMES by B.

 knowledge and the refinement of society. To tell why. where, and when it originated would be difficult. It grew however like all helpful inventions, out of actual ne- cessity. Man was not satisfied to converse. alone, with those in his immediate circle; but a desire to communicate with the people at large invited him to invent the newspaper to accomplish this end -E We know not where and when the idea of the newspaper first became practical, for, concerning this. history Is somewhat indefinite and obscure, Many countries claim this honor.
 Were we to go to Ancient Rome and search in her manuscripts, we would find the Kta Diurna, and could we call forth the sages of old they, doubtless, would say that this should be considered the first newspaper in the world. The Chinese might claim that their carved wooden blocks, which they used, gave to the world the idea of printing, and therefore claim the honor of suggesting the thought declare that the Mercilus was the first pa per issued, and congratulate his native land in honor of this. The Frenchman
 
 was the first, while the Irishman feels sure that the Warranted Tidings, from Ireland, is the parent of the newspaper.
 However, we believe that the honor properly belongs either to Modern Ger many or to England.
 The Natizie Scritte, a paper published in Germany at an early date, deserves mention among the first newspapers of xi.< only the deaths, births, and important events occurring in the noble families.
 England. during the reign of James l. published the Mercury. London Weekly. Courant. and many others which we think should give her the honor of being the first to publssh and maintain regular pro- gressive periodicals. Hence, the history of early journalism properly begins in England.
 The periodical essays by Addison and Steele, which soon developed into the Father and then into the Spectator was an important factor of Journalism In England. It was very interesting paper, and crea- ted taste for journalistic reading.
 Another important era in the history of English journals began soon after the ac- cession of George III. At this time the House of Commons was dangerously cor rupt, and this state of affairs was due, largely, to the secrecy of Parliamentary proceedings.
 The Journals of that day not only circu- lated information among the people, but took liberty to censure wrong and vindi- cate right. They published what pro- ceedings of the house as they had access to, and freely commented on any Illicit proceedings of that body. Upon this Par lament tried to silence the Press but In vain From the beginning of its history, the Press was supported by public opinion, and when it gained legal freedom 1t be- came an efficient force in practical states manship. and, in short. the organ of pub lie opinion. This freedom of the Press opened far more extensive scope than the journals of that day could occupy, and hence the Morn Post, The Times and oth- CTS, were issued to supply the demands of of the time.
 But the history which more directly con- cerns us, is It's history in ''The land of the free and the home of the braye."
 The first newspaper published in Amer ica, was the Boston News Letter, in l7O4, by John Cambell. At the beginning of the Revolution there were thirty-seven newspapers circulated among the colonies, while at present we have more than twelve thousand periodicals published. Thus the newspaper is seen to have developed from a single leatiet into an extenslve circula- tion of literature. Its progress has been rapid and the mind can hardly anticipate the extent of the great future of the news paper.
 The benefits of the newspaper may be seen in State, Church and Society. Noth- ing is more conducive t0 the formation of correct political views by all classes, than to have all important political questions discussed in our papers. In our present era, the perpetuity and purity Of political parties depend largely upon ths Press.
 The Church paper is a welcome visitor in many homes. The effect Of it's haliow- ing influence is beyond estimate.
 Without the paper society would retro grade and topple into the yawning chasm of barbarian, while with it society IS re- fined and elevated, and current infOrma- tion reaches, or may reach every home. The power of our Press is one of the best safeguards of our government It Is as the great, exulting and bounding river, be- ing augmented by thousand afhuents that dash from the mOuntain-tops to sepa- rate again into hundreds of bounteous, invigorating streams. and flow through the valleys below. On it's broad bosom It floats a thousand barks. On it's surface, genius spreads its purping sails, and here poetry dips it's silver oars. Here art, in- vention, discovery, science and morality may safely and surely float.
 It's warm current invigorates every cline. It is genial, cordial, source Of thought to what ever it touches, and an inspiration to whatever it surrounds,
 B. r. SIsK.
 New Castle, Arkansas.
 We understand that General Arml'