Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1804-08-09
From The BALANCE,

WE ought to state facts, speak truth
and die ma trrs,' says Voltaire. III.
sentiment is good one; bat fear there
are very few VINO would willingly reduc.
the theory to practice. There springs m
in the world, now AID then, a genius who
has resolution enough to state facts and
speak truth, even at the hazard of his life.
but these instances are extremely rare. [u.
MUS wrote with boldness, and even with
lnsolence; but he was anonymous and IN.
known. Had he been otherwise, he might
have written differently, Voltaire himself
wrote with great freedom; and though the
freqaent difficulties into which his writing.
brought him, did not seem 70 depress his
spirits, or curb the RIGHTEOUSNESS of his
pen, still 1T is Well known, that Voltare
was not remarkable lorresolution and for.
titude. Impudent and insolent writers
hs e appeared in every age ard in every
country: But impudeuce is not courage,
nor insolence fortitude: Neither are impu.
dent assertions always facts, nor insolent
language truth.
The cause Of truth has had many warm
and able advocates, bu: has seldom found
defenders who were willing to lay down
their lives in its support. Thousands may
delight in stating facts and speaking truth;
but, to die martyrs =" there's the rub"
When it becomes dangerous to state facts
when the loss of life, of lioe,v, or of
property is the conaequence--then poor
truth will be abandoned-the :. nd ard
irresolute will fly her standard and with
the few faithful friends who cling to herin
adversely, she will become al ou:law and
vagrant.
State facts, speak truth, and die mar.
tyrs." And is one the certain consequenc.
of the other? Truly, hope not. Ms.
cradle indeed, would be tn- situation Of
the world, were the forfeiture Of life al.
ways to follow the PRONUNCIATION Of truth
The individual good to be derived from
the oae, would be an insufficient induce.
ment to risque the other. These exuemc
cases, perhaps, may never happen. BUTT
is uncertain to what lengths war aglins!
truth may be carried. If the rulers Of a
people become SO corrup1, that they are
compelled to check the progress Of truh,
it must be expected that they will make
use Of the means most likely to effect their
parpose. If fines ana imprisonment are
found insufficient, it aust BE expected that
more severe punishments will be resortyd
to: And it may undoubtedly be contend:J,
that dea:b may be inflicted with as much
right ard justice IS any other penalty. lh'
deed II the prnIuuigatlon OF truth and tact
were declared Il crime, who could sci
bounds to is crim.naii'y? O,her crimes
are punished according to -helr magnitude
If, then, truth be a crime, the " grcatd
the TRUTH" the greater its criminal,ty.
Since, then, we know not what ma'
happen. Since VIE know not how 5000
truth may be pronounced 4 crime. Slnc'I
we know not but the time may come whtaL
that crime will be punished with deathE
the maxim of Voltaire ought to be inPres.'
ed on the heart Of every American. W.
ought to " begin with infants in their err'I
die and teach them TO I" state facts, sPeH
truth, aud die martyrs" This should"
the standing motto fall cur political booD
and newspapers. It should be written
letters of gold aud fixed up in every sch0I &
academy OF college. We should be bour' 4
to adhere to ii. by all the ties OF hons1
honesty and patriotism. We should spun
at theceward who would vow to main''