concede the superior power of the Anglo-Saxon press. The Afro-American is also left to see that his press will never be able to overcome the arguments he makes against it, in his support of the white journals, until his big heart causes him to correspondingly support his race papers.
We can now see the relation of the two presses to each other, and that not only is there no equality between them, but a vast inequality; hence, an organized effort of one against the other admits of no argument, and the suppression of one by the other of no commendation. Let us ascertain the duty of the two, and let us examine the claim which a country has upon the Press, unmindful of its color, its size or circulation, the previous condition of its editors, or what not. Let us at once admit the fact, that for the welfare of the country, its development and its progress, the safety of its people and its institutions, the perpetuity of its government, something is demanded of the Press, which has been termed in another chapter of this volume a bulwark of the nation.
For convenience and brevity, we will consider in order the various demands made upon the Press of a common country:
1st. It pleads for a recognition of the fact, that in the Press rests the ability to cause the development of a country.
2d. Equality of citizenship, and constant entreaty for law and order in the community and respect for the eternal principles of law, which make up a good government.
3d. An advancement of every measure for the protection of life, property and the pursuit of happiness, which has been handed down from Jeffersonian times, and which will remain sacred and true for all generations.
These, with hundreds of other demands, the Press should work for. There should be no friction in contending for these cardinal principles, only when there is a legitimate and reasonable difference of opinion in the advocacy of them.
