Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-08-03
nd LITERARY JOURNAL

| ftD' '''u'S az nc CHy ~ W dSsi,tgton, a ne,r
Datty and Irt-"eehly .Ferspaper, enfiHedMe
AMERICAN GAZETTE
AND LITERARY JOURNAL,
appears 10 be general and lust ;mnress;on
"a mat me Objects OF human desire are pcrisha bic
IN proportion as tcy attractive, and that VIVA
u IS most deShfal 70 possess, il is often most diff
cunt To preserve Wherever we direct our observa-
lions OF fix CONCENTRATIONS whether ,re ro,n,,
the fortunes OF tue great, notice the LOT of tho
nuinDle attend to the instructions of the wise q,
steh 10 me apfehensions of the Ignorant the same
important lesson Is taught us-tllat happiness can
mo- eHSt without care nor prosperity endure with
out labor. This truth is not more stern than salu
tary. Ii forms n relation between prudence and
pleasure, success and discretion, and provides that
tne industry and Judgment which ha VIC been emplov-
ed III the attainment of good, should be excrted for
its continuance.
L ne free and definite institutions of the United
states establish such mass of civil rights and So
cial enJoyments, generate such various progressive
improvements, and unfold such boundless pros,octs
OF moral excellence and national greatness, that
'oSe VINO are subject To their influence cannot IA il
to be anxious for their duration
1t requires little reflection and less ;poen,,;,, o.,
discover that nothing is so likely to affect the coud
tionS and destiny of this country asfhe public prees
"ithouf entering into examination of the history
" structure OF the government it is easy TO perceive
that lis virtual dependence on public sentiment IL :
hdihIoid ana prescribed connection with opinion
'''S'''N"i"Oie NoaIue anu sacred importance
inc instrument by whose magical power, o,,pou it
sell is created, animated, inipeled, and controlled
Out strong and active the sympathy is between
tbe operations OF the press, aud the movements of
'e government it is nevertheless neither direct nor
unrestricted. The body polite floats in an atrncs-
pneie OF party spirit, through which every raw of in
,eisence and impulse of passion it receives must
DC ira nsmitted-colored aud refractet dim or rIov
ing agreeaby TO tie actual state Of this variale
medium.
10 those who undertake the conduct of public
Journals the nature and effects ri party spirit TINS
become subjects of primary conside ration
Although the contention of parties has often been
lound uniavorablc to the stability Of states il has
Always been deemed essential TO their freedom nd
accordingly it IS an object of Importance not that
they should cease TO exist but shat they should exist
ana be innocent. The ancients found this imprac-
ucable. Eloquence {" fulmineG over Greece" in
vain; ITS Voice, though divine, was limited in lite
range and transitory in its impression, aud It has
only acquired energy and diffusion by virtue Of the
great Intellectual agent which give modern know
ledge bouDdlcss expansion and endless continuity
The press, by its faculty of couutera citing error and
propagating truth, of exaltiBg reason above force.
seems capable of disarning party spirit of IFS dcs
tructve tenderness, and of rendering political soe
ties free, and at the same time lasting.
That this desirable end may be ACCOMPLISHED.
viii perhaps appear less improbable, f we refer 10
the proper origin nnaturaI tendency of parties.
The only rational motive for these divisions Of
the community, is the practical establishment or
successful application cf some great political truth