its freedom, and since its editors have often large abilities, the greatest power imaginable attends its utterances.
The increased popularity of the English press, and its retention within the grasp of a few men for so long a time, was due to the discovery of its power as a political engine and in various other directions.
A high authority defines the power of the press in this language: "The press is an instrument well adapted for disturbing the functions of government, and committing injuries against reputation."
In the creation of sentiment there is not a force in all the land with sufficient power to array itself as an equal of the press. This is the whole power of the press in a nutshell. In what direction, for what cause, for and against whom is this sentiment created, are the various phases of its power. The press can elect a president of the United States; it can sink a public measure into oblivion; it can create wars; it can cause the destruction of a nation by creating public sentiment.
The ability and fitness of the press is the measure of a country's progress and of its power. It causes the country to develop, by publishing its resources. A unanimous suggestion of the press is followed by an equally unanimous action of the people. It can rear up and pull down; it can create and it can destroy. In fact, there is no speech or language in which we may express ourselves forcibly enough, to depict accurately the Herculean power of the press. It is a nation's great stronghold and defense. It is the popular teacher of every individual. In some way, it reaches into every household.
These last thoughts, coupled with the opinion of Lord Wynford on the liberty of the press, call to mind the fact that in our country, where all men are recognized as one people, the cannon mouth of the press, in many instances, is
