But while raised to this lofty pinnacle of greatness, it does
not, it dares not, it cannot from its very constitution permanently
abuse its power; and though isolated attempts have been, from time
to time, made in this direction, yet they have in the end, as was
to be expected, reaped nothing but disaster and disgrace. 'Great is
journalism,' says Carlyle. 'Is not every able editor a ruler of the
world, being a persuader of it?' Yes, truly a ruler of the world,
whose supremacy all other rulers must unhesitatingly acknowledge or
perish miserably and forever. Yes, truly a persuader of the world,
because he is the mouthpiece of the people, whose earnest, mighty
voice is making itself heard more and more irresistibly every day,
to the utter discomfiture and overthrow of the hydra-headed avatars
of the priestcraft and kingcraft and all the other mouldy and
rank-smelling relics of the dark ages. The press is the arch
apostle of civilization, progress, and truth--the Greatheart, whose
mission it is to combat and destroy the giants Pope and Pagan, Maul
and Despair, and all other misleaders and oppressors of men.
Language itself might be exhausted before all that could be said in
favor of the uses, benefits, and value of the press had found
fitting expression. The greatest and best of men have expatiated
upon this noble theme, but probably the truest and most eloquent
panegyric ever bestowed upon it is that of Sheridan:
'Give me but the liberty of the press, and I will give to the
minister a venal House of Peers--I will give him a corrupt and
servile House of Commons--I will give him the full sway of the
patronage of office--I will give him the whole host of ministerial
influence--I will give him all the power that place can confer upon
him to purchase up submission and overawe resistance--and yet,
armed with the liberty of the press, I will go forth to meet him
undismayed--I will attack the mighty fabric he has reared with that
mightier engine--I will shake down from its height corruption, and
bury it amidst the ruins of the abuses it was meant to shelter.
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