Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1894-05-12
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drawn nearer TO his Maker. There
fore IN building, think You are build
ing forever, and not with a view of
some little accomplishment to be for
| gotten as soon as you are gone.
Your work should be such as your
descendants would thank you for. of
such a character that it will remain as
firm as the rocks of Gibralter, and be
regarded as sacred by your successors
because yoa accomplished it. Such
records will be pointed to by after
generations with pride, and your
memory loved and revered. Anieri-
can journalism lost its brightest
lights in the men l have mentioned
yet there are others who, doubtless,
can follow their footsteps if they will
only .'be up and doing"
There are some, doubtless, who
through bigotry and coneeit, would
readily deny that the newspapers of
to-day are the important factors in
molding public opinion, enforcing
legislation, advancing progress. and
educating the people. Such people
evidently, are behind the times; un-
acquainted with practical newspaper
work; and generally of little value to
a community-in fact obstacles in the
way of its advancement. Such a de-
NAL cannot meet with the approval of
any sensible, energetic, or progress
sive person. |, for one, fully believe
that without the press I to-day, this
country would be in a rather bad con
dition. immortality. vice, and crime,
to a large extent. would go unpunish-
ed; politics, 0 rotten to the core,
would be dangerous, indeed; legisla-
ton would suffer for want of honora-
Bile and honest men; while the people
would be helpless in securing their
rights. In fact, without the press, we
could safely compare this country,
to that of the heather. The pres
emit condition of this country. its
rapid stride in the onward march of
progress and civilization, is due most
ly to the power and influence of the
press.
Only during the past century has
the press made any Roadway. There
was a time when its tenor was con-
trolled by a higher power, but, thank
God, that day has passed. To-day it
enjoys a freedom of speech, that in
some countries would completely ruin
it. During the past few years it has
made rapid strides in America, and
has SO nobly carried on its mission.
that it has entirely secured the en-
dorsement of the people generally.
Even in our own little mountain State
it has spread out SO completely, that
every prosperous community and sec
ton, now gathers itself under its pro-
lection, and bids defiance to evil-doers.
Without the press in this State we
would hardly know the advantages Of
civilization, much less prosperity.
1t has been entirely through its in1u-
ence and power our mineral and tim
Der resources have been made known
to the world-our healthiul climate
has brought home-seekers-our hills
and ravines traversed by the steam
iiorse-our educational institutions
established-our commerce made prof
table and thousands employed there
by-our people have become modern
in their ideas and progress-order.
peace. and happiness have been pre-
served. Again, | say, without the
press here-anywhere-we would not
to-day have the opportunity of enjoy
ing all this. Name me a city or town
without a newspaper, and I'll prove to
you satisfactorily that the place is at
least a century behind the times. A
live newspaper in the eyes Of the capt.
talist is always indicative of the make
up of the place, and no doubt is the
best authority and recommendation it
can have. Business men of the 10th
century are on the novel They reeog-
nize the merits o. the press, and if it
has an appearance of a good advertis-
ing and subscription patronage. they
conclude at once that the community
is active and DESTROYS Of increasing its
business. Just such a place he is
seeking.
Without the press l feel no hesitan-
cy in saying that progression would
stop instantly. But few instances can
be cited in which marked improve
ments were ma ie, where there was
not a newspaper that suggested it
aroused the people-gave their time
and space-and after a hard fought bat
tie secured it. Consider the progress
of your own localities. and | am sat
ished you will bear me out in this. /
might say the same Of our Legislators.
Through the press the wants and de-
sires of the people have been made
known; its eve watchful eyes keeps
pace with the representatives and
makes public their conduct, what they
are doing and how they are doing it.
1t suggests and calls attention to mat
tiers needing legislation. In this way
the people are informed, and / dare
say legislators compelled to act, in
many instances, for fear of condemna-
ton through the press. We can just
as well apply the ann theory to evil
doors. Crime has frequently been de-
tected and brought to light, and the
culprits justly punished, through the
efforts of the press; while 1t also serves
as a warning to others Of the conse-
quences of wrong.
Through its influence numbers OF
prominent and distinguished men
have been brought before the public,