Alexandria Gazette

THE PRESS AND DEAD-HEADS.

The Rev. Mr. Brownlow has a newspaper discourse on this subject, from which we quote the following pungent truths. It is but just to say, however, that the various interests referred to make no complaints of the press in this part of the world, the dead-heading system having been, in general, given up long ago.

"Railroads, steamboats and stage coaches complain of dead-heading-that is to say, of preachers, editors and brethren of the craft, riding so much without pay. The newspaper press endures more of this dead heading than all three of these modes of conveyance combined. The pulpit, the bar, and the theatre: corporations, legislative assemblies, societies, religious, benevolent, agricultural, mercantile establishments, venders of quack medicines, railroad companies, steamboats, stage lines, and every variety of individuals, including political parties, and politicians, draw largely upon the liberality of the press. The press is expected to yield to all these interests: it is required to give strength to all weak institutions and enterprises; it is asked to puff small preachers into overshadowing pulpit orators; to puff small politicians and unprincipled demagogues into great men and patriots: to magnify incompetent railroad officers into railroad kings: it is expected to herald abroad the fame of quacks, of all classes, bolster up dull authors, immortalize weak Congressional speeches; it is required to give sight to the blind, bread to the hungry, talents to fools, and honor to thieves and robbers: it is asked to cover up the infirmities of the weak, to hide the faults of guilty men, and wink at the fraudulent schemes of scoundrels: it is expected to flatter the vain, to extol the merits of those who deserve nothing but the scorn and contempt of all good citizens: it is required, in a word, of the newspaper press, that it become all things to all men; and if it look for pay, or send in its bills for subscriptions and advertising, it is denounced as mean and sordid, and its conductors as wanting in liberality. There is no interest on the face of this green earth that is expected to give as much to society, without pay or thanks, as the newspaper press of the country. The little souled man, who inserts in your columns a fifteen shilling advertisement, expects you to write him out at least five dollars worth of editorial notices. And the obscure and niggardly man you have written into a position of importance far beyond his merits, considers that his name adorns your columns, and gives circulation to your journal."