Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1825-03-16
For the Massachusetts, Spy.7
THE BLUE STOCKING CLUB.
No. IL.

NO. III.
Amidst the numerous blessings, which natu-
rally result from a government like our own,
the freedom Of the press is not the least desira-
BILE. Nations while enjoying every other ad-
vantage Of liberty, have felt that in restrain
ing the freedom of the mind, you impose upon
them a slavery more degrading, if possible,
than that which deprives them of their person.
al liberty. Hence tyranny, ignorance, and SUI
perstition, have always walked hand in hand,
and it is one grand object, in the policy Of ev-
cry despotic government, to draw closer and
closer the chains of mental slavery. For the
mind, if once free from the shacl1les which
bound ii, will think for itself; if once enlight-
ened by the unrestrained diffusion of knowl-
edge, will not tamely submit to principles, and
reasoning, which can only be founded upon an
unjust desire Of usurpation, of sacrificing the
peoples rights to private ambition. For US,
as have already remarked, is happier for
tune. 1t is our grand prerogative that we are
not only permitted to think, and to act freely,
but freely to express our opinions. The liter
ty of the press being unrestrained, our litera-
ture is not buried in the darkness of the c,ois-
ter, our religion is not an unintelliSible form,
which we are obliged to adopt as a matter of
course, trusting TO another for our creed :;
neither are we deba:red from beholding the
true grounds upon which our government
rests.
And yet this glorious privilege, the boast of
every American citizen, had almost said the
groundwork Of American liberty, is abused !,
shamefully abused, and that too, in the pres
ence, and under the sanction, of some of our
most respectable citizens. The discussion Of
private character, when carried on fairly and
openly, is, perhaps, the best criterion for de-
Gliding between the comparative merits of diff
terent candidates for Office. But when truth
and generosity are sacrificed upon the altar Of
calumny and fslsehood; when men 10 the
heat of prejudice, or passion, descend to mean
ness and SANDER, giving away every principle
OF honor TO the feelings of party, then, in
deed, the press instead of being the fountain
from whence flows those streams which are to
nourlsh and improve the nation, is become a
standing pool, holding within its bosom the
principles of infection and disease. When the
press is thus trampled upon and abused, we
are not aware of the extent of the evil incur
red. Its influence is not confined to small
circle of readers. who may be personally &C
quainted with the character it endeavors to
calumniate, but like some inveterate malady
it moves onward and onward, poisoning every
vein, until the whole system is one mass OF
corruption. Thus an Individual, however
worthy, a reputation however pure and spot.
less, is left at the mercy of the most worthless
libeller. 1t is true you may prosecute him foI
his libel, yet who would descend from an hon
orable station so low as to notice these worth.
less scribblers.
1t is a fact, dreadful indeed in its conse-
quences, when we reflect upon the influence
these characters are enabled to maintain, that
throughout every part of our Union you NAV
hear them calling for republican spirit and
freedom of opinion, when they themselves are
all the while endeavoring 20 bring us into a
state of anarchy, striking at the root of our DO
litical institutions, sapping the very founda-
ton of our national liberty. And yet there
are papers issuing weekly, nay, daily in this
country, containing such sentiments, public
slanderers, which, instead of being held I'D as
deserving public censure, and stamped with
public disgrace, are, not only connived at, but
patronised, and that too, by large portion Of
an intelligent community. Perverted indeed
must be that taste, and degraded that mind
that can look upon such publications in any
other light than that of utter contempt. am
not, MIR. Editor, an advocate for RESTRAINING
the liberty of the press, but | would that pub
lie sentiment were against these writers, thai
public patronage we're withdrawn, and thew
themselves, condemned to suffer that lust dis.
grace, which they so much deserve. B.