Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-08-06

for PnofI&ftng al ne cry Of Washington, O. ne,o
| Ddtiy ami Iri-Ueekly Newspaper, en,lfied he
AMERICAN GAZETTE
AND LITERARY JOURNAL
| a appears to be general and lust impression
IL that the objects of human desire are perisha BILE
III proportion as they attractive, and thar what
u IS most delightful TO possess ii is often most diff
cult To preserve Wherever we direct our oi,serva
lions or fix our CONCENTRATIONS, whether we remark
tne fortunes OF The great, notice the lot of the
nuhDle, attend 10 the instructions of the WISE or
listen to the apprchcnsons of the Ignorant the same
important lesson is taught ustl,at happiness can
not exist without care, nor prosperity endure with
out Tabor. This truth is not stern than salu-
tary. 1t forms relation between prudence and
pleasure success and discretion, and provides that
the industry and Judgment which Ina We been employ
ed III the attainment OF good, should be exerted for
its continuance.
The fee and definite institutions of the United
States establish such mass of civil RIGHTS and So
cIai enJoyments, generate such various progressive
improvements, and unfold such boundcss pTos,ects
oil moral excellence and national greatness that
those who are subject their influence cannot fail
TO be anxious for their duration
IT requires little reflection md less ineenuitv IN
discover that nothing likely affect the coud-
tons and destiny of this country as the public nress
WITHOUT entering into an examination of the history
or structure OF the government il is easy 10 nerceve
mat its virtual dependence on public sentiment its
manifold and prescribed connection with opinion
impart Incaculable value and sacred importanc. Tn
t'e instrument by whose magical power, opinion it,
sell IS created, animated impelied and controlled
But strong and active as the sympathy is between
TIE operations ofthe press, and the movements of
tie government il is nevertheless neither direct nor
unobstructed The body polite floats in a n atnos-
pheTe OF party spirit, through which every ray OF in
,egence and impulse of passion il receives, must
DC ransmtted--colorcd and refracted, dim or elo,y-
ing, agrccably TO the actual state Of this varabe
medium. -
10 those who undertake the conduct of public
Journals the nature and effects of party spirit thus
become subjects of primary considerations
Although the contention of parties has often been
'ounu uniavorabe to the stability of states, il has
always been deemed essential TO their freedom nd
accordingly II is object Of importance not that
they should cease exist but that they should exist
ana be Innocent The ancients found this i,nprac-
ucabe. Eioquence fulrnned over Greece" in
VAIN; ITS voice, though divine, was limited in its
range and transitory in its impressions and it has
only acquired energy aud diffusion by virtue of the
great intellectual agent which give to modern know
ledge boundless expansion and endless contisuity.
The press, by its faculty ofcOuntefactng erro. nd
eating truth. of cxalting reason above force
seems capable Of disaruing party spirit of its des
fructiye Tenderness, and Of soci
ties free, and at the same time lasting
That this desirable end may be accomplisl al
will perhaps appear less improbable, if we refer 10
the proper origin an natural tendency of parties
Tine only rational motive for these divisions of
the community, is the practical establishment or
successful application Of great political tro,b