American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1822-04-23

printers in the debate the resolution, submitted
to the senate by Mr. King, to adjourn on the hrs
Monday in April. In reply to the observation tina
the senate had passed off in very indolent manner
our senator observed: $50 long as he was con-
scious of not neglecng his public duties, he dsre-
garded any thing that was said by the newspapers
As to the complaints of the printers, they would al
ways complain, whether with or without reason
some of them wished 10 take away our desks; 9th
ers might next propose that we dispense with ou
seats and many, no doubt, would think our tmt
well employed if it were entirely spent in readini
the useful information of the newspapers" "Wa'
congress, he asked to transform ITSELF into aQuake
meeting, take up every thing at word, discard al
debate and decide every question by simple yea ane
nay
Now, the reader may suppose that we feel some
pride in our profession, and unless we show little
cbvalry in defending one of its most important
franchises we should be unworthy of the high vo-
cation of printers. 1t is their inaenabe privilege
to write of all persons and things without restric
ton or limitation-to complain when they conceive
the state suffers by NAL government-to rail when
they are splenetic, to panegyrze when they are
pleased, & to satirize when they are offended, moi
even regarding the dignity oil the senatorial office in
the exercise of the privilege. We do most solemny
protest therefore, in the name of the whole fratet
functions. Why should not printers write as well
as senators harangue? Are not our themes as
agreeable to the people as their speeches In con
tending for the rights OF the aristocracy Of speech
makers, let not gentlemen forget the privileges OF
the aristocracy of editors. In the issue, the prn
ters versus the orators, the former will have the
people on their side for if we are well paid for
our labors we furnish the equivalent which is more
than can be said OF all who affect to serve the pub
lie.
Are we to be ironically told Of our diminishing
useful information !" and yet the insuled sheet, al
he moment, graces the desk OF the member as
to him as his breakfast. How did the
senator who gave US this unkind cut, know thai
he printers had been toastng the orators, unless he
had been in the habit of reading those vehicles Of
which he says with such cutting irony,
contain all "useful information" The senator in
question, with his cumpeers, under obligations
o US that nothing can redeem. Do they not politl-
ally exist by our means-that is by our types I?
Are they not dependent for their fame our reports
1t their orations Do we not send their speeches
o the ends OF the earth, and give them body and
orm, endurlng-as paper DO we not puff these
,rators into notice, who would never have emerged
nto light, and blazon them to the public eye, when
tut FOR us, their names would only appear in ths
Jerks report on the journals What is public
nan without that herald of his fame and organ oil
lis works-a newspaper What is member of
congress without this memorial of the times, inI
which is reflected to him, as in glass, he POPULAR
ointment in each Of its varying aspects /? " sayl
hen, that our senator, although we admire his IN
dependence, we should not like to initiate his cou
age, in his philippe against the printers rnI
tack the class we regard the h hest temerity inl
public character, who wishes to nurse his popu-
arty.
1t is evident this is more than taking govern
nent, as expressed by of the Senators who took
art in the debate the definition ia not sufficient,
omprehensive-t is government Of zvoyds and
hose who write share with the seakers the printers
With the orators in its powers We therefore in
lst tha' we are as necessary to its existence as Ell
her OF the branches of The National Legislature or
5 the Executive Departments, and we regard tn
tempt Of Senator Smith to degrade our iunctionl
nd Importance as an attack one OF the vital parts
/ our system--as antirepublican, If not disorgani
ing.