Are Newspapers A Nuisance?

Major Gen. Ben Butler is reported to have very much astonished certain New Orleans editors , the other day, by assuring them that he would like to see anybody who would sustain the proposition that newspapers had not done more harm than good since their first establishment.

It is very doubtful whether the Major General ever said anything of the sort, but there are not wanting plenty of smaller military gentry, whose mouths are constantly filled with just such remarks.  Hear Henry Ward Beecher on the other side.  We copy from the New York Post –

Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, in the course of his sermon at the Plymouth Church last night, made an eloquent plea for newspapers, speaking of them as one of the most potent elements of our civilization.  “There is,” said he, “a common vulgar objection about newspapers that ‘they lie’ so; they don’t lie any more than you do.  Man is naturally a lying creature.  Truth is a gift from Heaven, and very few of us possess it before they get there.  The newspaper gives both facts and rumors, and they would be blamed if they did not do so.  It is for the reader to judge of these rumors.  The last economy should be in regard to newspapers.  It is better to deprive the body of some ribbon, or jewel, or garment, than to deprive the mind of its sustenance.”

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 1

Abolition of Slavery in Virginia

By an overwhelming vote of nearly TEN TO ONE the people of Western Virginia have voted to rid their State of slavery. This is a stubborn fact which will prove exceedingly distasteful and damaging to the partisans who are trying, as self-appointed executors, to administer upon the effects of the late Democratic party. – Henry Ward Beecher, Horace Greeley and the people of New England, are not the only Abolitionists. [Fanaticism] has broken out in a fearful shape even in the old Dominion. What a dreadful thing? The Mother of States and of Presidents, whose first families have subsisted – grown rich and respectable in the Christian business of breeding slaves – this proud and aristocratic Commonwealth at once tumbles down from its high pedestal to the level of a free State. There can be no more respectability in Western Virginia at any rate – no more cultivation and refinement – no more chivalry – no orthodox religion – no statesmanship. For these are inseparable from slavery. The degradation of free labor is upon that proud Commonwealth. Why not do our [blatant] Vallandigham pro-slavery secession demagogues cry “ABOLITIONIST?” Why don’t they howl over this violation of the Constitution? Of course the Union, as it was, can never be restored, unless slavery is restored to the National Capitol and Western Virginia – of course not – and it will not be worth a rush (to these demagogues) unless it is restored just as it was.

We rejoice greatly over this vote against Slavery in Virginia. It is given by a people who never heard an Abolition lecture. It is a verdict, on its merits, against slavery – overwhelming and decisive. Revolutions never go backwards.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 1

The late Gen. Mitchel . . .

. . . stated to Henry Ward Beecher, that when he held 150 miles of the Tennessee river, he was enabled to do so because he ad intelligent slaves in his employ, who kept him advised of the movements of the enemy. As a reward for their fidelity, he gave his pledge of honor that they should not be returned to slavery; but when he was called to another field, Buell forced them right back into the hands of their masters, and the sufferings of many of them are now over.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, January 3, 1863

Samson’s Riddle

Samson was on an errand of love. He was interrupted by a lion, which he slew; for love is stronger than any lion. He gained his suit; but alas! everything went by contraries thereafter. The woman whom love was at first sweeter to him than honey, betrayed him. She was his lion. Whereas on his way to her he found that bees had possession of the real lion’s carcass, and had filled it with honey. And so, in the end the lion was better to him than his wife. – But how full of suggestions is this incident. Who would have looked for honey behind a lion’s paws? While he was yet roaring and striking at Samson, there seemed very little likelihood of his finding a honeyed meal in him. But if lions bravely slain yield such food, let them become emblems! The bee signifies industry among all nations; and honey is the ideal of sweetness. To-day war is upon us. A lion is in our path. But, being bravely met in its track shall industry settle, and we shall yet fetch honey from the carcass of war. H. W. Beecher.

– Published in the Stark County News, Toulon, Illinois, Thursday, November 12, 1863