Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1804-09-18

sucn . are tfanshRted IN common ina
mails. 1t il therefore eviden, that VIA a''
shese publications are capable of the pr nas
est utility, they are likewise subject to III. s
most dangerous abuses.
isthere any one who conceives it Of j..
tie consequence whether a paper, throw
constantly upon the public, is devoted r.
the dissemination of truth OF falsehood
whether il is directed by nea of homes,
minds or the most profiigate and abandon
ed, let them spare themselves the troubl,
ofperusing our remarks. We are induced
to this Investigation, from full conviction
that the influence of the press in a free 90.
vernment is of the greatest importance, and
may preserve or ruin society, accordiseto
the disposition of those by whom, and
the manner in which, it is conducted /; and
from sincere hope that in fairly exposing
the real characters of an execrable associa.
ton ofmen, Icagued together for the pur.
pose of dsceiying, and destroying, We shall
render no inconsiderable service to the com.
M unity.
The Chronicle ia paper in which the
abuse of free press is arrived to an extent,
di-graceful to the Commonwealth, and in.
furious to our interests !; it has long been
sewer Of the vilest ISLANDERS and
grosssst falsehoods and at this day, is I'm.
doubtedly rival in infamy to tina most
detestable publications 10 circulation
When it is known by whose lahours this
public nuisance is produced, the character
! of the agents, will We trust, induce many
an implicit believer IN the Chronicle, 10
awake from his delusion and regard twin
horror. We have the charity to suppose
that many of It's readers would spurn Il
from them with virtuous indignation, did
they know the depravity of its conductors.
Or can man be esteemed a conscientious
messenger of truth, q friend to that which
is honorable, virtuous and amiable, a FL
instrument to promote good order and
happiness in socety, whose life is a. llbeloa
mankind
1t is painful task to exhibit the defor.
nifty of the human character; to dwelloa
whatsoever things are l9veiy &of geodrebnt
to rejoice in tn. virtues of our species, the
noble faculties and qualities Of the soul.
would be an employment far more accep.
ceptabIe. But when we ses many of our
fellow citizens unconsciously taking the en-.
venomed serpent to their bosoms, or slak
ing fevcrish thirst at poisoned streams,
it would be objectionable to persist in ST.
lence. The sentiments which a good maa
feels on such occasions are well expressed
by valuable author in nearly the following
language.
"In nv opinion the Office of a Censorship
no means pleasant or desirable, bpt IN times
Ike the present it is peculiarly ..ecessary'
1t is indeed difficult to exercise the talen!
without an appearance OF severity in the
character and disposition. Censure is ma
Lightly, and reprehensionis abuse. There
remains more formidable objection. On
irst and partial view, it might deter any
,pan from engaging IN censurei at least
any man who feels himself (and who do"
not feel himself, If he examines his OWE
hearty unworthy and wre,ched before the
uoerringjudgment. 1t is SAID to be lncon'
patible, i NOT with the profession, yet Ger:
tainly with the practice of christianity.
am sure, if that is true, the praise OF VIII
OF l-a1ninss or talents, is nothing WORTH
IF private malignity is the motive, it ise'
,entially contrary to the precepts and Pra0
tice Of thl. religion. 1t cannot be defcnd'
for moment. But if censure ia an /"
stran,ent, and powerful instrument,
n,aintaln and enforce public order, moral
", religion, literature, and good nannef'
ia those cases, sswh'ch the pulpit and ''i
courts of Law can seldom interfere, a1a
rarely with effect, the community may"
thorise ard approve it. The au'hoE%N
instrumr, . Of lawful war are lawful. Ger
L., II. ,,.k a IL