Belmont Chronicle

Belmont Chronicle.

Thursday Morning, Feb. 19, 1857.

The influence of a newspaper is felt and acknowledged throughout the known world. There is perhaps at the present time no other agency so powerful, so universal in extent, and so replete with interest in its consequences. The spread of the gospel, the dissemination of truth, the progress of civilization, the promulgation of the general intelligence of the people, and consequent elevation of man, are dependent upon this same printing agency.

Whatever may be the position, the qualifications, or the tastes of the individual, it matters not, he turns to the newspaper and reads its pages with avidity. And while some officious dignitaries—who have through it been exposed in their unholy deeds, would vent their spleen on the "trashy sheet," simply because its truths did not suit their purposes, would at other times get down and do reverence to that power upon which their fate depends. The old and young, the learned and the ignorant, the King in his palace, and the peasant in his humble cottage, all are subject to its influences, and are benefitted by it, reading.— But its influence is more particularly felt and is more directly profitable in the home circle than anywhere else. There, where the happy group, parents and children gather around the bright fire and mingle together their thoughts, feelings, joys, desires, hopes, and aspirations, as only a family band, united by affection's ties, can do; there it is that the newspaper is welcomed, and is read by every member of the family. Its effects are permanent and beneficial, and are the source of very great enjoyment,—

There is not an individual engaged in the cause of education, or who has taken that interest in it that every one should, but will agree with us when we say that children who have the opportunity of reading, and have encouragement, and an example to read, and who have the news of the day constantly within their reach, are, as a class, the most teachable and apt to learn; they take more interest in their studies, and retain what is learned with more ease than any other. They are better spellers, better readers, study geography with much more ease, and become much more proficient therein, and are generally such scholars as teachers and parents admire, and are proud of, and such as are likely to make useful men and women in society. This is a matter of great importance to every one; let parents consider well upon it. If this be true, and we know our position will stand the test, how great is the demand for reform. How many in our own favored County who do not seem to appreciate in all its bearings, the importance of this, giving information to the people. It is not only to the disadvantage of every one to help sustain his county paper, but it is a duty which we owe to ourself, to our children to our county, and to the common cause of education. Let every one consider well their duty; induce your neighbors to aid in the support of the county papers—we do not say of our paper, which, nevertheless, would be very agreeable, but of all, for this county can support, and support well, four papers, and be the better of doing so.

For our part, we feel greatly encouraged, and fully confident of the final triumph of the sublime principles of our party. This is no time for repining, but a time for vigorous action, a time for all parties and all sections who have the freedom of man at heart, to meet, reconcile their petty differences, and unite as one solid phalanx in defense of our common cause, and thus give the slaveocracy another convincing proof that there is an element in the hearts of the masses which has for its foundation the eternal laws of Truth and against which they can never prevail.