Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-07-13
AND LITERARY JOURNAL"


t appears to be general ard Just impression,
IL that the objects OF human desire are perishabIe
IN proportion as they are attractive, and that what
it is most delightful TO POSSESS it is often most diff
cult to preserve. Wherever direct our observa-
tions or fix CONCENTRATIONS, whether we remark
the fortunes of tire great notice the lot of the
humble, attend to the instructions of the wise, or
listen to the apprehensous of the ignorant the same
important lesson is taught us-that happiness can
not exist without; care, nor prosperity endure with
out labor. This truth is not than saIu-
tary. 1t forms a relation between prudence and
pleasure, success and discretion, anil provides that
the industry and Judgment which have been employ
ed in the attainment of good, should DC cxerted for
its continuance.
The free and definite institutions of the United
States establish such of civil rights aud So
cial cnjoyments, generate such various progressive
Improvements, and unfold such bouudess prosl,ccts
of moral excellence and national greatness, that
those who subject to their influence, cannot fail
10 be anxious for their duration.
II requires little reflection and less INGENUITY TO
discover that nothing is likely to affect the coni-
tons and destiny of this country asthe public press
Without entering into an examination of the history
structure of the governments it is easy to perceive
that its virtual dependence public sentiment, its
manifold and prescribed connection with opinion,
mpart incacuiable value and sacred importance to
the instrument by whose magical power, opinion it,
sc1fis created, animated, impclcd, and controlled
But, strong and active tho sympathy is between
the opera tons of the press, and the movements of
the government, it is nevertheless neither direct nor
unobstructed. The body polite floats in an atmcs-
phere Of party spirit, through which every ray of in
tegence and impulse of passion it receives, must
be rausmitted-colored and rcfractcd, dim or glow
ing, agrecaby to the actual state of this variable
medium.
To those who undertake the conduct Of public
journals, the nature and effects of party spirit, thus
become subjects of primary consideration.
Although the contention of parties has often been
found urlvorabc to the stability Of states, it has
Railways been deemed essential TO their freedom, and
accordingly it is an object Of importance not that
they should TO exist but that they should exist
| and be innocent. The ancicnts found this imprac-
| icable Eloqucnce "fuimined over Greece" in
| vain its vicc, though divine, was limited in its
range, and transtory in its impression, AMI it has
only acquired energy aud diffusion Ivy virtue Of the
great intellectual agent which give to modern know
ledge boundless expansion and endless continuity
The press, by its faculty ofcountcractng error and
propa eating truth, Of cxaltng rcason above force
seems capable Of disarming party spirit Of IFS dcs-
trctive Tenderness, and of rendering political soce-
4 Ties free and at the same time lasting.
That this desirabis end may be accomplished
will perhaps appear less inprobable,f refer t;
, the proper origin natural tendency ofpartics.
The only rational motive for these divisions q
the community, is the practical establishment q
successful application Of some great political truth
\ motive NJ his Tf'rf irsily er-zs ard va fri