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Article CHIT CHAT. ← Page 5 of 8 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Chit Chat.
diminished" or not , it will , there is no doubt , in the present state of society go on increasing . The newspaper press is one of the main instruments in forming public opinion ; it is the principal source of information . On the press all rely , at least for the data on which they are to judge of the propriety of men ' s actions ; for the knowledge of those movements which are to guide them in their approval or disapproval of the conduct of statesmen ; for an exposition of those princiles which are
p to direct them in their support of , or opposition to , measures affecting the best and clearest interests of their country and of mankind . The conductors of the press have a high mission to perform ; it behoves them to see that they enter upon it , not only with all the talent ancl varied information which that mission requires , but also with a singleness of mind , an honesty and an integrity of purpose , which fear cannot daunt nor corruption nor influence pervert , but which will lead them to act with
strict honour and independence in their proud career . As a rule ( there are exceptions , but they onlyproveit , ) it maybe affirmed with confidence , that these qualities characterize the conductors of the public press ; hence the power it possesses , the influence it wields , over public opinion . " The press , " says a writer in one of our most popular periodicals ( Douglas Jerrold ) " collects facts ; it winnows'the mental productions of each day ancl every people , and hoards up the useful results . It watches for events , it gathers information from every quarter , and spreads it to the same
extent . It warns the world against threatening dangers as they arise . It catches the first light of every dawning improvement , and brings it before every inquisitive and admiring eye . The true mission of the press , its very soul , is to gather and diffuse truth . That is its solemn duty , and remembering how small a portion of a daily ( or weekly ) journal ( whether London or provincial ) is composed of questionable matter , we have no hesitation in saying that to a great extent it actually performs that duty . " The press is the corrector of abuses ; the redressor of grievances ; the
modern chivalry , that defends the poor and helpless , and restrains the oppressor ' s hand in cases ivhere the law is either too weak or too lax to be operative , or where those who suffer have no means of appealing to the tribunals of their country for protection . It is , too , the scourge of vice : where no law could be effective , ivhere the statute law does not extend , ivhere the common law fails , —the law of the press strikes the offender with salutary terror , causes him to shrink from the exposure that
awaits him , and not unfrequently arrests him in the career of oppression or of guilt . To diffuse truth , then , to redress wrong , and to uphold right , to spread knowledge , and to advocate sound principles , — " this is the real mission , ancl these are the high functions of the press ; " and those who execute those functions worthily deserve all honour from societythe gratitude ancl esteem of their country . —Mitchell's Newspaper Directory . —[ And the Honourable Member for the fair city of Perth , and Prov . Grancl Master , would fain excommunicate the only Masonic organ existing , viz ., The Freemasons' Quarterly Review . —Nous verrons . }
OCEAN PENNY POSTAGE . —The following is an extract from the latest appeal of that indefatigable philanthropist , Elihu Burritt : — "Let England apprehend her destiny and duty now , when world-wide measures are requisite for the well-being of mankind . Unless some great physical revolution supervene , to arrest or check the propagation of the English race , in one hundred and forty-five years it must number 800 , 000 , 000 souls ; outnumbering the present population of the globe ! Shall England be thc centre , the soul , and seat of moral ancl commercial legislation of
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Chit Chat.
diminished" or not , it will , there is no doubt , in the present state of society go on increasing . The newspaper press is one of the main instruments in forming public opinion ; it is the principal source of information . On the press all rely , at least for the data on which they are to judge of the propriety of men ' s actions ; for the knowledge of those movements which are to guide them in their approval or disapproval of the conduct of statesmen ; for an exposition of those princiles which are
p to direct them in their support of , or opposition to , measures affecting the best and clearest interests of their country and of mankind . The conductors of the press have a high mission to perform ; it behoves them to see that they enter upon it , not only with all the talent ancl varied information which that mission requires , but also with a singleness of mind , an honesty and an integrity of purpose , which fear cannot daunt nor corruption nor influence pervert , but which will lead them to act with
strict honour and independence in their proud career . As a rule ( there are exceptions , but they onlyproveit , ) it maybe affirmed with confidence , that these qualities characterize the conductors of the public press ; hence the power it possesses , the influence it wields , over public opinion . " The press , " says a writer in one of our most popular periodicals ( Douglas Jerrold ) " collects facts ; it winnows'the mental productions of each day ancl every people , and hoards up the useful results . It watches for events , it gathers information from every quarter , and spreads it to the same
extent . It warns the world against threatening dangers as they arise . It catches the first light of every dawning improvement , and brings it before every inquisitive and admiring eye . The true mission of the press , its very soul , is to gather and diffuse truth . That is its solemn duty , and remembering how small a portion of a daily ( or weekly ) journal ( whether London or provincial ) is composed of questionable matter , we have no hesitation in saying that to a great extent it actually performs that duty . " The press is the corrector of abuses ; the redressor of grievances ; the
modern chivalry , that defends the poor and helpless , and restrains the oppressor ' s hand in cases ivhere the law is either too weak or too lax to be operative , or where those who suffer have no means of appealing to the tribunals of their country for protection . It is , too , the scourge of vice : where no law could be effective , ivhere the statute law does not extend , ivhere the common law fails , —the law of the press strikes the offender with salutary terror , causes him to shrink from the exposure that
awaits him , and not unfrequently arrests him in the career of oppression or of guilt . To diffuse truth , then , to redress wrong , and to uphold right , to spread knowledge , and to advocate sound principles , — " this is the real mission , ancl these are the high functions of the press ; " and those who execute those functions worthily deserve all honour from societythe gratitude ancl esteem of their country . —Mitchell's Newspaper Directory . —[ And the Honourable Member for the fair city of Perth , and Prov . Grancl Master , would fain excommunicate the only Masonic organ existing , viz ., The Freemasons' Quarterly Review . —Nous verrons . }
OCEAN PENNY POSTAGE . —The following is an extract from the latest appeal of that indefatigable philanthropist , Elihu Burritt : — "Let England apprehend her destiny and duty now , when world-wide measures are requisite for the well-being of mankind . Unless some great physical revolution supervene , to arrest or check the propagation of the English race , in one hundred and forty-five years it must number 800 , 000 , 000 souls ; outnumbering the present population of the globe ! Shall England be thc centre , the soul , and seat of moral ancl commercial legislation of