Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-02-13

is alarming the liberties Of the People, than
the organization of the whole of Gen Browns
Army Of six thousand men formed into guard OF
the palace. lie, me moreover say, that control
of this kind over the Presr. is more dangerous to
its liberty than most of the dogmas OF the law Of
libel, expoanded by the most subservent minon
of power. The liberty OF the press is liable to
buse by corruption OF its purity, when bad pub
lie mea and bad public measures are praised. And
when the Government becomes the psymaster for
these services, the e-ii is infinitely augmented
For what the services which the Press, under
such circumstances, is expected TO render return
for the partial kindness OF the Government? Why |
to cover all their approaches TO arbitrary power;
10 defend each measure of misrule and corruption
TO find excuses and apologies for every act OF in-
becility, although the interest and honor OF the
country may be jeopsrized by ignorance, apathy
or neglect; but, above all, to subject those who do
not think 1" the existing powers'' entitled to the
confidence of the People, TO the most unsraring
calumny and abuse. If eghiy-two presses can be
made TO speak, as it were, in one voice, that all
that the Government does is excellent and all
those who are opposed ID them say il false and
faciious. this Constant, combined, and concerted
language will soon have tendency to make those
who hear Little else, believe all this is true. Nor
DO the pernicous consequences Of the venal praise
| OF disiemrerel Press stop here: those who go
vern, read, almost exclusively, these sickiy and
! perverted organs of public rpinion, snd, there-
! lore, want the wholesome chsslisement, and salu
| tary bitter OF free press.
/ 1t must, therefore, be obvious, that there cannot
well be greater abuse of the Press, than when
| II Is devoted u an unmeiited praise of public men,
! ana rs an evil In is consequences far iniur-
/ Gus than the unmeried censure Of good men;
truth viii, in the end, do the latter Justice. whilst
! the former, through corruption, has worked lis
mischief pas. remedy or atoaement.
! II these be the legitimate consequences of Go
vernmcn, Press, they essential to the manten-
ance of the balance of the Executive authority,
either against the other branches of the Govern
ment, the People: Sir, they no; essential :
if the Press is free, the Administration stands as
good chance with the People their opponents;
they have the same field, the same engines, and
the arbTators. If their measures are jus
and wise, they will triumph; if the contrary, they
will be, as they ought to be- defeated. To avoid
his consequence, ought the Government TO have
a meTcenary squadron, to perveTt that by which
the measures of free Government must stand or
fall! Now, Sir, those who maintain that it il
improper 10 make This inquiry, with view of pre-
ven,ing the corruption OF the Press, by its being
placed under the pecuniary censorship OF the Go :
vernment, a!e thrown the side OF the afiirma-
tive OF this argument
Having discussed these preliminary considera-
tons, which inv olive the elementary principles OF
the freedom OF the Press. before close, must lee
permitted to make SHIRT application OF them 10
the resolution Of my friend. First, | will ask
whether the resolution Is founded on a reasonable
probability that, ii the liz which the Secre-
t"ry of State has used the strona Of the Public
Printing, lie brought out, it viii establish the fact
that this patronage has been perverted from lis
original purpose; and secondly, whether The es,ab-
ishment of this fact may not be made subservient
to the application Of an adequate remedy for the
evil.
The authority 10 designate printers who should
be charged with the publication OF the laws was
given to the Secretary OF State, apprehend, m OF
as matter OF convenience, than as necessary
live 7,
That II might be safely confid-d TO his discretion
advised TO The ioo al information of the Represen
tatives, who woull be best 10 determine, what pa.
pers iron ;heiT extensive circulation were cal
cuiat.d 10 give The widest diffusion the pubic
laws. That ibis power so used, until the
commencement OF the present administration, is
true. beliee, with few exceptions. Bat, from
the authority OF facts of undesirable nOtorieiy The
present Secretary of State, has felt himself at
liberty 10 disregard the Inform .,ion o! those who
! would be bes qualified ialorm his Judgment ON
The only poiai, which, under the object O. The Ia
ought TO govern his selection of the rapers in which
HE public laws are to be printed, to wiz The com
( raratse eAens:veness Of their circulation and
relative locality. And il is asserted tia. he has
avowed that, in effect, he considers il an incident
o. political power, Which belongs TO the existing
"iminiSti aion which he may exercise, by prescrit
ing some presses and putting Others under a penal
| probation fr Il limi ed period.
| Now, Sir, il is aside from The pu poses of nv
argument 10 blame the Secretary for this. beca,s.
have shown that it Ia the Inevitable result, of the
situation OF the Administration, and an unyi.a
| Judgement Of this pair oHase But this does M,
render unnecessary the aiBn.ent of he fact il;
an oi.ical shape 1t is true, have il asserted in
the pubic prints, on the authority of series of
Letters from nearly an entire DeIeg ,tion in rela
oh 10 The loss OF this patronage by printer of the
state OF New Hampshire, whose paper in tb.,
quarter, is one OF incompatible circulation. and
whose crime, OF not bending the knee 10 the reiyn-
ing House, Is not atoned for, By recolectio,
Oh ms incalcuable services to the county in nm
hoiiinS her interest and her honor, al a uom.n,
"heh 'he caiaihiiies OF foreign war were sgera-
! Vated by domestic discomfort, if not detection.
Ii has also, been asserted, that another oaper in
an adjoining State, Of similar character has been
| deposed for similar causes.
| Inc last prominent instance, shall leave To the
sehhemeh rom Kentucky to settle ani1ny them
selves, to wit : whether the denial tn the EI;,or
- '"e hehtucKy Argus OF the privilege to print
the public laws, is to. be justified on public consi
defaiions, or not. Ii / might be allowed TO nre-
mise "a single reiection, should say thai his rto
eerIp'Ion seems to the aspect Of a reitibutive
yosuce' which u was proper for the Secretary Of
S'aie 70 inlet on This Editor, for having made his
paper the vehicle OF an unjust and unfounded
charge against Sr. Adams, of his having been will
ing 10 barter the navigation Of the Nississnni fo
advantages in the fisheries.
boi all these are subordinate natters in copnor
isoh win The great principle at stake. Has the
secretary OF State attempted, by the use OF dis
cIs"ohary power, applicable 10 but one consilera
tIon' TO control the Press?
1t seems that there is sor,etbiog i,,,,;.;,;,
asking public officer for his reasons for bis n,h.
tic conduct; aud gentleman. yvba an Sa,,,I1S.
addressed the House, alr Ructn.~N -, -