Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1824-04-06
PROSPECTUS
For Publishing a Ueekiy n Newspaper
IN THE TOWN OF BELLEvILLE, ILL.
BY FoRQUER * FORD,
To be entitled, the
Independent Political Censor

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LHROM the title ofths paper, something new
Il will be expected If the editors intend
ed to trudgc in the track which the generality
of their brethren of the type find it convenient
to pursue. a hint of their course would be i'm
pertinent, as that would have already been as
certaped. But as the present time requires
lin the opinion Of the editors) a material
change in the friendly and docile habits ofthe
Press, and as they anticipate for themselves a
course as widely variant from that which gene
rally prevails, as the necessity which creates
:, Isl from common and Tranquil occasions,
they feel justified in formally exposing their
views and intentions to the public.
The editors, therefore, with sincerity de-
clare that, the grand objects of their 'abors
will be to disseminate useful information--to
encourage, prop, and assist industry, talents,
and virtue, generally, whether exeried in
private life or in public, in agriculture, manu-
features. commerce, the arts and sciences, or
in any sphere where they may be found use
fully employed, to publish and deprecate the
feats OF vice in every shape, coming under
newspaper cognizance; for this purpose the
editors will extend their inquisiorial and cen
serial offices into all the relations of public
life. Governors in the chair of state--Judges
OF the bench Ministers in the sacred stand,
and all the public functionaries OF the nation,
however elevated viii. be considered as law.
iul subjects of Just animady ersion.
1t is the prcuiar felicity of our countrymen.
that in this land of liberty, no topic of public
moment is too sacred to grace the columns of
newspaper The Press is, or at least ought
TO be, the constant and yigilant guardian of
the peoples rights and in fact It has ever
been considered by the Americans, as the pre-
server of their institutions, a trumpet Of alarm
when those institutions are attacked, arousing
the unsuspecting victims of political intrigue
to vigorous vindcaton Of their invaded
rights.
With much concern the editors contemplate
the necessity Of personal alusons and fire.
quent structures on individual conduct -Thev
have no pleasure in the writings and dstor.
tons Of wounded mind, and lament that the
conduct Of men is so blended with the prospe-
rtv or adversely Of the public by the operation
Of government, that an abuse Of the peoples
rights and confidence, cannot happen without
adericcion otllu'y On the part OF their agents,
who make or administer the laws: yet, not
withstandiHg the unpleasant sensations they
must experience from this source, they can
never conceive themselves justified in pur-
posely tolerating a misplaced benevolence-
however congcnial to their feelings, which
would withhold the lash of censure from the
,IntaiihtiIl and ihe abettors IF corruption. ina
government of the people the Importance Of
the diffusion of correct inform zion, and upon
appropriate animadversions on the conduct Of
pubic servants, creaes Ill the editors high
responsibility, paramount to all prudential con-
5,;,v;atiCns or particular attachments, if any
exist, and they take pleasure in disavowing
every attachment, either to parties or to men.
l.. al.