Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-09-21
PROSPECTUS


EN presenting to the citizens of Fredericksburg,
" and the circum accent country, the plan and
conditions of a new paper, thu proposed publisher
deems II necessary, i'll compliance with the common
iiyunctIons OF custom, and i'll explanation of his
VIEWS 10 be somewhat explicit i'm his avowal of the
reasons which urge him to solicit their patronage,
and the principles and conduct by which he hopes
to merit their favorable consideration.
IL would be useless, at this day, to expatiate on
.he u'ihty Oh newspapers. They have always
been considered, since their introduction into civil
med communities, useful auxiliaries in the disse-
mIna,lon of knowledge, and essential 10 the pros
peiIty and permanency of free governments A.
crlcans well know the value of these organs of the
pubic Will, and ii has been their pride to che
rish and protect them. They know that "intelli-
gence is the life of liberty THAT their institutions
receive vgor and effect from the general diffusion of
information; that their glory and welfare de-
pend upon just appreciation of human rights
They spurn the dark doctrines of European despo-
tsnn, which inculcate the mental delusion and ie-
nolance OF the people.
Ihe time has arrived, when not onlv everv c;ty
put almost every village, in widely-bounded re-
popnc ieeis the propriety of having vpilant sem
tlhei ON tile watci-tower of independence ready 10
SOUND e tocsln OF alarm, when the enemies of free
uon, ether openly or coyery, assail it. So that if
the liberties OF the country should ever be eudan.
gered, IT will not be through the absence of faithful
watchmen, nor from the enfeeb bling influence of ig
| norance. .
FREE PRESS has been emphatically and Justly
termed the "palladium of liberty" To publish a
paper which shall be justly entitled to this proud
appellation, will be the primary and paramount,
OBJECT ut the Editor. He is well aware of the ar
ouous character OF the duties imposed the conflicts
"hIch the passions and prejudices of man create
ana me LIABILITY to be influenced by these feelings
so inherent in human nature. But he will s.d,,
ousiy endeavor 10 guard against such influence
lie has witnessed too many pervel sons of The nuh
nc VIII oy presses pledged TO the support of men
without regard to principles and il is his desire To
AVOID these errors, by throwing his columns omen II,
iaii' candid and liberal discussion, all subjects
winch involve the public veal: confident that dis
cussIon ELECTS light, and leads the ind 10 correc,
conclusions. Such is his idea of what constitutes
atruly FREE PRESS. All essays having This oh
Ject lii view, will receive a cordial welcome md
"nhe energetic and pointed censure of grievances
WIZ be tolerated, scurrily and abuse will be avoid
ed as contamination. Iosanction such prostitu-
ton oil the press, would be to convert hlessino in
TO an evil
In regard to the political principles of the Ed
toI' IL would be a species of egotism 10 say mucI,
Ihey remain i'll part, to be tested But he NAV be
pefm''ed 10 remark, that they are, in the legitimate
sense OF the word. Rcpmbfican. Born in a land of
freedom, and enjoying its blessings it is but fair To
nef that every throb of his heart is In unison ;h
MS country good and that every attempt to sub
vert the principles by which it has been adva
10 happiness and honor, will be resisted at the
threshold. - VIC
Ii is MS opinion, that ready acquiescepce in the
measures OF the majority, when fairly enacted
constitutes Inc hrst duty of good citizen When
our rulers from natural love of power transcend
'ie oou"uieS prescribed by the constitution, it is
one OF our proudest privileges to remops,rate and
10 lie heard through the medium of the press 20
DC heafd successfully, only requires that complaints
carry WIN them the modest and manly convictions
of truth.
MS course IN regard to the prominent political
TOPIC oil the day, shall be marked by the strict r
OF IDpar;ialIty and justice. But n fev, ,v..I ~
main for its discussion: and he has M, ,to -.
10 suppose that his private preti,lectious bo,a,c1
ea'nes'iy urged, Will change opinions deibera teIv
ioriheo' ne candidates for the Presidencv arc
men wnoln the citizens of this country have honor
c" "nu uehSht 10 honor. Each Of them have nu
merous and respectable friends, and ,bcir sa.1
claims should be heard and uroed viii, Ill.,. o.'
dour' temperance, and magnanimitv so essential o.,
aon "eight 10 argument and dignity 10 the c,uea
discussed. ilIiberal and unrestrained vil6catiot,
OF an opponents serves but 10 detatt from the force
anu ''Iid"cy Oh The praise bestowed upon favou-
rite and aleniaes the affections of ,bo::e ,Yb,
ought rather to be sootled than irrita,ed
Presenting himself upon these broad nr;rci,1o.
ne cannot ooubt that the friendly support of surh
P"pui""s "nu respectable town and neighborhood
%hl DC cheefluiiy afforded him. Places possess;ng
lever advantages, and with a smaller ronrlat;os9
than fredericksburg support two ,oIP puii''ou
he dscIaIms all selfish contra ted considsr,,;o
~ Is noPed ne VIII not incur the impu,aton of wish
ing to cfcumvent the establishment note Ioo,.a;
1t. But u would be reflection upon the GOOD
sense ana hoerahy of the inhabitants to entertain
Tor moment the idea that they would sanction .
monopoly of any kind, more ospec,au nv,
opinion. P'"y "'"' VI
WITH this brief developcment of his views and
object, the Editor submits his pretcns;ons -, s,ro
age 70 INC candid consideration of the public.
N ,,.s, pirginia Free Press will be
published
num- payable in advance. 1t will be printed with
handsome new type, on large super-royal sheet
oenvetea On the mornings of publication to snb
scriOers J" town, and forwarded by the tst mails 10,
niS'ah' suoscrbers.-Tbe publication will COM
August, 1924.
W gentlemen who obtain subscriptions will he
pleased TO make returns by the iO;b df senterossr