The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-08-09
II RO SP 4 c. TUS
8 NEWSPAPER TO DE PUBLISHED IN THE
CITY OF RICHMOND, ENTITLED.
TIE .d.lfERICH.v STANDARD.


TIE .d.a1ERIC.1.W STANDARD.
"uNIrEp, WE STAND, DIVIDED, WE FALL"
I'm country where the freedom of the press
Il is secured by a fundamental provision of the
constitution, those editors OF ne wspapers who
nave gained the public confidence, have the
means OF influencing the public opinion,
and through the, public opinion they
have the power OF controlling the government,
and directing its measures. must be obvious
then, 10 every man of reflection, that the press
possesses great power among us, and that the
people should be well convinced of the patrio.
Stism, hrmness and impartiality of those who be-
come candidates forthe EXERCISE of this power
IT'S aid important that people whose govern
ment, like ours, depends on public opinion,
should receive correct Information, and that the
fountain from whence they derive it, should not
be under The control OF power or party, preiu-
dice or partalitY, or what is worse than all, To-
reign influence. -.
AS the press is the medium through which
we derive our intelligence of national affairs, if
At should have private interests to gratify, or
should be subject to any un worthy passion or
motive, It is not to be expected that such press
will give that impartial iniorma ion which we
ought to receive TO enable US to Judge CORRECTLY
Our opinions of public men and measures must
consequently be erroneous, and we enlist our.
selves on the side Of this or. that party whose
partial publications we exclusively read, and by
which We are frequently dec lived and led a.
stray from our best interests. When these We.
hicies OF knowledge become corrupted by TO
reign influence or domestic treason, they are the
most vulnerable points through which deadly
blows Can ba aimed at our liberties and indepen.
dence. The prudent and patriotic should take
care, therefore, to place at these passes cent?
nels, whose fidelity TO our country is unsuspec.
'sd, and whose birth, interests and principles
attach them 10 our national welfare
Ihe American contederacy contains the onv
republics or which the world can boast, and in
which liberty retains an asylum. The liberties.
the strength, and prosperity OF isis country have
excited the je alousy, the fears, and the hatred
"f the desPots of Europe, who would therefore.
seloice at an opportunity, of efiecting our down
fall. Eosland and France, the most potent and
ambitious OF them all, have necessarily labored
by tue most insldious means, to undermine the
iouhoslions OF our independence, entangle us in
their wars, and makes suxilisries in their ba
voc OF mankind. Whilst these two pow have
been aiming TO render all other nations s,,bser-
Went TO their ambitious designs, and have left
nothing uudone to accomplish their purposes, is
IL rot reasonable TO suspect that they hsv. sen,
money and incendiaries among US, and have even
hlreo some OF our own coantrymen 10 conduct or
corrupt our presses Have not some of them.
disregardng every duty of citizen, and every
Principle OF patriot, openly excited our people
the government OF our clioice Have they not
used all means to prevent the execution of our
laws, Counteract the measures OF cur govern.
ment for obtaining redress of injuries from TO-
reign nations, and render abortive our nepoc;a
lions with them Have they not by ustifyng
the outrages Of England on our sovereign and
nestrai rights by the robberies and pe:fidy of
Arance, and Justifying the conduct of France bv
that of England, invited foreign aggression ,nI
brought upon us all our present evils ! They
have exerted all their influence over the nuhlic
mind and over eur elections, and are continual.
Vtrylng to dictate TO the government without
any responsibility in themselves or wish for
itspfosperity Vhey have DETAINED the charac-
tiers and impeached the motives of our most
faithful citizens, for no other cause 1bsn Their
opposition to foreign influence and their wish
to support the honor and interests of their coun.
y Try. ny these means, and Sy defeating the sue
c. IS OF our negotiations, they have endeayored
TO deprive our public servants Of public conf
cence, IN order to place foreign tools over us.
who would seek forGisn proterlion which
would necessarily lead to the loss Of indeDen.
dence.
Wedo not perceive the necessity or proprie-
ty of an EDITORS enlisting himself in the service
OF any party. When he becomes party maa.
impartial intelligence IL not to be expected from
bis paper he viii deal to the public his own
partial opinions, aud such mutilated informat;nn
as will answer the purposes of his party, or the
views of his foreign employers When a facti-
on shall have obtained control over the press !,
will through this medium mould pubic ooin;
on to suit its own diaboiical purposes, and bv
these means, direct the government or eubsr-
rass and couHteraCt its measures. Whilst there
lore il shall be the first of our wishes to pre-
serve TO the people constitutional dependence
oil their government on item, we shall be equal
ny sOlicitous TO render the government indepen.
dent OF every faction. Ifa faction can dictate to
our public servants ADD render them depen-
dent on for support, they will serve the faction
instead Of the people.
Believing that If the people could all receive
the same ipiorms lion they would generally form,
the same opinions, we pledge ourselves to our
patrons TO lay before them, with impartiaIitv
the best infor nation we can obtain, whether il
respects the acts and conduct of our govern
Inent, or those OF foreign nations we viii en-
deavor to give To the public "the tgulb tue
whole truth, and nothing but the truth"
TO whatever hands the administration of our
government osy be confided, we shall deem
* our duty tn iRcutcate obedience TO the laws
order, and respect for the public authorities We
viii. with freedom, condemn iInpolitic mea
sores ADD unconstitutional acts, but will oppose
all violent aud Illegal means of obtaining relief;
SIS our frequent recurring elections afford the
People, whenever they become dissatisfied,
reasonable opportunities OF changing their pub.
lie men and measures, without resortiua 10 in.
suFrectoD or rebellion, tie only recourse 81
SLAVES u regain their liberties. Those who re.
commend such hazardous expeLients in prefer
ence to the plain add easy course marked our
ny our wise constitution, are seeking tie sub.
version OF Our liberties and the Ioze az o,n !.