The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1914-07-15
THE POWER OF THE PRESS.


The result of every act is measured
f, only by the work it does. 1t is either
great or small, important or unknown.
Just in the measure that it has accom-
plished something. The simple unos-
! tentatiOus work OF Paul and the
apostles was effective, but with the
advantages of the modern press of to,
day, how much greater and more pow
erful would they have wrought for
good. If the pompous rule of Dionys-
ius was cruel and innuman, how much
more appalling would have been his
reign of terror, If to his then unre-
strained selfish. power had been add
ed the facilitics;Gf Our modern civiliza-
ton. The scroll Of the tyrant of Syr-
acusc was soon forgotten and
trampcd under foot in the great on
ward rush of civilization. Paul had
lived for good and the bettcrment of
mankind, the other for evil and selfish
pleasures. Could each of them have
enjoyed the power OF the press of to-
day their influence upon the world
would have been much more marked,
the one for good and the other for
evil
| Understandings, knowledge and edu-
cation have ever preceded the ad-
vances of civilization and have
strengthened and sbroadened its bene-
factions. The onward march of civil
ization could not have made much
progress had it not been for the gen
eral diffusion of knowledge. In the
same measure that knowledge and ed
ucation have become general by the
growth of the press higher civiliZa-
ton has flourished. Indeed it has
been the prolific seed for the develop
mcnt of all higher civilization, and to-
day the press is the herald for the
crceds of every faith, for the doctrines
of every party and sect for the ad-
vanccment of the work of commerce,
literature, liberty and religion. Only
in the same measure as the press has
come into general use has civilization
advanced and flourished. A limited
press has meant a limited civilization.
The effective result of the press for
good or bad has depended largely up
on the source from which it eman-
ates.
John Gutenberg was seer His
invention has marked him as one of
the greatest benefactors OF the human
race, and although he died destitute,
friendless and broken hearted, the in
vention OF modern typOgrahy owes
more to him than to any other single
individual
The first printing press Of the ne"
world was established in the city OF
Mexico in the year 1910. and ninety
eight years later "The University
Press" was installed by Harvard col
lese, and still continues business un-
der the original name. Although the
first press of America was established
in Mexico the limitations placed about
it by the advance of civilization there
in has been correspondingly slow, as
only one-third of its l5,O00.OOO popula-
ton today are able to read and write.
In our own United States. which was
almost century behind our sister
republic in Introducing the press, the
use thereof has been SO much more
general and Tree, that our civilization
| has brought this nation to the very
forefront No other factor has con
tributed more greatly to our splendid
achievements than has this universal
use of the press. Linked with this,
however. is the fact that ours is a
christian nation and together they
have brought us to the highest stand
ard the world has ever attained. The
press forms the basis for continued
improvements and still greater devel-
opment.
The power of the press today for
| both good or for evil Is beyond de-
bate. Therefore, as a factor in civil
ization it should be made as helpful
and elevating as is possible. II the
source and spirit from which it en-
anates seeks to help and do good. then
civilization is advanced and helped
thereby, but if the source and control
Is polluted and the writer cares not
| for his tcllOwmcn, then that which
proceeds from his pen will bear the
stamp of evil. An editor has a great
| responsibility, no matter whether he
| appreciates and accepts it, or whether
he ignores and refuses it. The people
depend upon the press for general in
formation, it dominates and controls
their lives, it either curses or bless
So' 1Ao "Sii ihiShI lhc sun iCiuoC "
shine as to annihilate the press. 1t is
the handspring of education, the
source of enlightenment and in con
sequence is the mighty engine which
drives forward civilization to its high
est and best attainment. The prcscn-
tatiOn of facts should always be stud
| led and carefully thought out before
being given to the public. No sentence
should ever be written and published
which does not primarily seek to en-
| tighten, benefit and cheer its readers:
"A little stone may turn aside
brooklct on the mountain side;
A little echo change plan, and turn
aside the will of man.
The fraternal editor has a double
responsibility. He should be filed with
love for his work. He should be fra
ternal and believe in others as well as
himself The very spirit of fraternal-
ism is confidence and charity. and
there is no higher mission given to
man than the diffusion of fratcrnal
fellowship. The fraternal editor should
i've in the sunshine, rather than in the
shadow. His should be lif. If hope
and not distrust. He must have faith
in God and confidence in his fellow
man, then his influence will ennoble
his own life and work and thus he will
be a blessing to others.
"NatiOnS are horn and pafi0nS dia