Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1898-02-10
The Virginia Weekly.
Norfolk Pilot. ]

The Virginia Weekly,
Norfolk Pilot
We long ago ceased to be astonished at
the ignorant, narrow, unfair, illogical and
pretentiously oracular editorial, on sub
iect of national interest, in leading New
York daily, to take up an obscure eX-
GLANCE, from 4 small country village Of
Virginia, and discover, to our greater
amazement, an editorial in it, on the same
subject, cogent, logical, learned, luminous,
instructive and persuasive, if not conclu-
sive and convincing The first impression
is that the metropolitan and the rural
writer should change positions; but as all
great movements, all wide reforms, all
profound and overmastering convictions
have their inception and take their first
steps among the multitude, away from the
uproar, tumult and petty strifes of cities,
so this rural prophet and priest of human
ity, and its best politics, is the right man
in the right place, planting the seeds Of
progress and development precisely where
they are most apt to take root, grow, and
us yield a glorious harvest offruition. Let
remember that the greatest Of all move
ments and revolutions began by one crying
in the wilderness; and Jesus began his
mission, not at Jerusalem, but at Caper
mann, and in the regi on roundabout.
The weekly newspaper, published at
some small village, at the court house, or
at a railroad depot, or water tank, with a
circulation rarely extending beyond, or
even to the county limits. has indeed "a
small, still voice." smaller income, and
seemingly less influence. But great things
have ever small beginnings; and the I'M
known editor and his sheet, so insigniti-
cant in appearance, are combination that
may move the world. Archimides de-
clared that if he could find fulcrum, he
would hurl the earth from its orbit; and
although the country editor may be no
Archimides, he has fulcrum equal to any
undertaking. The two--the press and the
editor-are engine and engineer Of power
and motor of limitless possibilities.
He interests his neighbors in the local
news he gathers faithfully and publishes
truly; he discusses home interests and de-
velops home views. Educated and in
spired by the paper, its readers begin to
manifest public spirit, which, at first
confined to neighborhood and county af-
fairs, expands rapidly to State and
national common public concerns. The
editor and his paper, doing their duty
conscienciously and industriously, inform
the people to the best Of their ability, and
advise and lead opinion as it reveals itself
on all subjects. He gives popular thought
and speech forum in his columns his
readers there exchange and compare their
ideas; the editor, the moderator of the
discussion that inevitably arises, joins in
the debate with his fuller knowledge, COM
poses extremes, and so directs and in
fuences all that conflicting views are
compromised or reconciled in a mutual
agreement that not only promotes good
fellowship and iellow-feeling, but results
in a unity of action in matters at their
very doors, that enure to the benefit Of all.
He becomes a leader. to be heard with
respect, and his weekly is living power.
The paper extends its circulation; the
paper is heard fnrther; greater topics are
considered, and the conclusions of the
water-tank, Or village, move on, carrying
the casting-vote, perhaps, in some cases,
or a leaven Of Truth, wisdom and justice
that leavens the whole lump to the general
welfare.
At all events, the editor and bis paper
are distinct parts of the working force of
the land which consciously or uncon-
sciously, under the mutual attraction of
common sympathy, common rights, in
tereSts and manhood, consolidate into an
aggregate which commands all public
situations by the irresistible magnitude of
its power and the justice of its cause, as
we'll as by the supreme will of the majority.
But the theme expands before us. We
have, however, introduced the modest
rural editor to himself as others see him,
and we show him what his paper has done,
is doing, and may do in even greater meas
ure hereafter, when he and his journal
fully comprehend the strength Of their posi-
ton and know how to use it and its advan
tages and opportunities,-where, in GER
tain just sense, they are ''monarchs of all
they survey"
An or,inant chemist hoe doclarnd thot |