Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-10-07

An article IN the National lntellgencer,
of Fri ,.y l-st, is worthy Of place in
publication of an order higher than that OF
the columns of newspaper. Putting any
political bearing that may be ascribed TO
ii out of the question, as entirely apart from
my present consideration, | think it may,
as a specimen OF pubic instruction, lay
claim to a conspicuous place among the best
rreceptiye essays and extracts collected
in;o volumes for the use Of the young, and
for the general improvement OF the morals
and manners OF society. Were it my pur-
pose 10 speak OF it, as mere literary critic,
might say much OF the composition-5ut
regarding it in the higher light OF piece
of salutary public admonition, l will not
waste words upon consideration SO 'inte-
rior as that O. style, but rather choose, at
once, to say what my heart and under
standing dictate OF IFS moral merits, and
particularly Of the dignihed temper and mo-
Iteration which it so earnestly inculca'es,
aud of which it is at once lesson and an
example.
Yet While hold this language respecting
the intrinsic value of the piece, | may be
permitted TO doubt tf its efficacy as a re-
medy. The disorder 10 which il Is intend
ed to apply is too deeply seated TO be &C
cessible by prescriptions Of so gentle ma
ture.-Never TO formula so simple and so
mild, can a cancer so virulent be expected
10 resign the ascendant ii has obtained ne
yer at the instance of reason or virtue, to
recede from its malignant influence over The
habits of the country. Cautery and seal
pei only, fear, can afford relief in such
obstinate cases, while the operation OF
those, however salulary, cannot be at
tempted without mourning evils OF still
more pernicious kind. For, TO borrow The
words of the essay | allude to, il is my OPT
MON that the greatest latitude" OF the
press, on public topics, is preferable to
the least restraint"
There is not an honest man in the coun-
try, capable of estimating the valuee Of this
article, who does not already participate
in IFS sentiments and ieeings.-lndeed it
is impossible that any man who loves his
country and tenders the character OF its
press-who feels for the honor of his sps-
cies, and is not dead to every admonition
of honesty and common charity, can fail
to burn with shame and Indignation at such
foul and filthy abuses Of our press as we
daily have the modification TO witness; and
which are sometimes so outrageous as TO
make our hest patriots, in the momentary
ebulltion of a virtuous impatience, express
doubt whether the benefits arising from
our liberty Of printing and publishing, are
not counteracted aud overbalanced by IFS
abominable RIGHTEOUSNESS. Reasoning men
ask, whether it could possibly have Eeen
the intention OF The wise and good men who,
after having secured the freedom Of the re-
public by their valor and virtue, with
their wisdom endeavored TO establish it
upon an imperishable basis in that char
ter which we call the constitution, when
they were providing for the liberty of the
press, to have meditated that kind Of IL
centiousness into which ii has sunk. What
relation, they ask could have been imagined
between the public interests and low per-
sonal scurrility Gould the trainers Of the
constitution, they demand, have intended
10 grant perpetual legislative amnesty for
the crime Of scandal, 10 which the laws OF
all countries, IN al ages, have annexed Sc
we're judicial penalties-to sanction by their
august authority and solemn ordinances,
that species Of vile scurrility which is con-
sidered, IS far more than any other appen-
dage OF their base and miserable condition.
dissraceful TO the very lowest and most
despised of the most mean and despicahle
, classes of society, and, as il were, TO hold
oui counter-law to Illustrate the salutary
effects of the b. aides whip and the duck
ing-stool Can We, without madness, ina
CINE that cluster of brilianis which, set to.
= gether in convention, reflected on the his
tory of this republic, both past and prospec-
tive, its chief lustre, gravely providing, by
positive institution, skulking places for rui
fans and asslssins OF private reputation
from which, as the blood Indians from their
bushes, they might, on some future day
pour their deadly poisoned arrows upon
those whom it might suit their caprice, or
the designs Of those rho hire them, to attack;