Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1810-09-03
DARK AGE.

a
We have on our files the decree Of
Bonaparte relative to Printing in
France. AS it is long, we have thought
proper to give summary OF It's con-
tents. This is precious morsel tor
the friends Of the Emperor. II is a
part Of what Duane would call the con-
tnentai syStem--a system which IS to
reduce mankind to a state of barbarism,
that tyrants can more easily rule them.
The system of democracy in this coun-
Try, goes hand in hand with Bonaparte's
system Of tyranny in Europe. Ignor-
ance is supported, and knowledge and
civilization are disreBarded and dis
couragcd. The most ignorant and a
bandoned of mankind are raised 70 pla-
ces OF Offices and trust, while the en-
ligbtsned and candid are neglected and
oppressed. Our government have not
yet suppressed information by inter
dieting the press, but the people have
done every thing to keep themselves
in ignorance which they can possibly
Go. Democrats will read nothing in
federal papers they will take no pains
10 compare dates, or to find whether
what they read is true or false.-Wh
people are thus determined TO be ig-
norant, what is the use of printing
When man is determined that he will
not receive information, 1t is Of very
little use 70 lay il before him-You
may talk 10 him, and print for him, he
will still be ignorant-An Ignorant
man is easily led astray--he envics the
man Of enlightened mind, and would
sooner vote for an unprincipled block
head, than an honest and upright man
OF talents and learning. This kind Of
system leads 10 riot and anarchy-an-
archy leads to absolute despotism, and
ignorance fits the people 10 bear tina:
despotism. So that we find our coun-
try not SO far behind those Of Europe
in the road to darkness as many may
imagine, We are ignorant, violent
and headstrong-we have no respect
for any thing great and noble among
mankind ; and we want nothing but 4
Bonaparte to reduce us to as complete
a state OF slavery, as that under which
all Europe now groans.
The following is summary of Bon
aparte's decree for the suppression Of
printing The reader will perceive
that the number Of presses allowed III
France is not sufficient to supply the
people Of France with scAool-6ooks, SO
that reading and writing will soon be
confined 10 a few in that devoted coun-
try. The American may reflect if he
pleases, on the conduct of this upstart
tyrant; he knows that this is the gov
eminent OF which the majority of the
people in the United States are SO very
fond. This is the government which
all good democrats wish 70 support.
And this the government ia flUor of
which, we shall, in all probability, go to
war in less than year.
The business Of printing and bookselling
IS declared 40 pc under an Inspector general,
assisted by SIX auditors subject 10 his con.
tiout, and other subordinate agents.
The numher of prinung-ofices after the
lst VI an 1871, is to be reduced through
out the empre-the number IN Paris % be
SIXTY each ONCE IN Paris restricted to four
presses, in the departments 10 two EACH
The printers whose Offices are. suppressed,
to receive an indemnify from those continu.
cd. Printers aud book sellers TO produce
vouchers of good character, receive patent
and be sworn. IN filing vacancies prefer
ence i 70 be given to families If deceased
printers. The minister Of police, projects
Of departments and srecial censors, are
! auxlliaries 70 carry this grand engine ofdes-
pousm INTO effect. The censor examines.
grasses and reports the projects and minis
| ter ct police suspend, asd the director-gen
ersi decides upon tie publication Of any
work II any work be commenced and the
publication thereafter be prohibited, the
! printed sheets 70 he seized, and the iyres
composed, - the Pripters would say, thrown
INTO ne. a duty Of fly per cent az paloyun.
on all French and latin books permitted 10
be imported No books printed or reprint
60 out o. trance, 10 be imported without .