Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-10-10
THE PRESS.


o, fl an engine, as the press, in order to assist
a tyranncal few in their Aagitious endca9ors to
oppross the people are worthy Of the attention,
and careful consideration of every advocate for
che liberty and independence Of the-Prcss.
The suppression Of the Now-York Times
and the arts which woro resorted TO, by those
who were immediately concerned in both en-
sorprizes, bear testimony TO tn, reality of the
designs OF men, who would first form an union
of Church and State, and then monarchical
rovornment. And that such men really oxist
is fact that cannot any longer be doub'ed;-
il is fact which is so plain, that II wcrc per-
.haps u.nec ccssary TO adducc any proof to sub
stantiato the assertion, which wo have haz-
ardcd, even ut the risk Of incmrlng the
displeasurc and the anathomas OF an unhoiy
alliance among men, for the destruction OF the
.uperstructuro Of this Republic, and for the es-
tabIishment Of a court Of holy inquistors. II
it should be deemed by some, that we arc
making too much Of what they may consider
a small matter, wo expect before wo get
through, TO covince them, that VIC arc not set
ting up false alarm; that We have some good
grounds for uttcring what we utter; and that
We are among those who nro ready to repel
tho first assaults Of those who arc looking for
ward for the arrival of that day, when they
will be enabled to cur,an the liberty OF the
Press.
The Journal of Commerce, published in the
city Of Ncw-York, belongs to the unrIghteous
faction, md il was boldly and unblushnsy
declared by those who were concerned in get
ting it up. that lis establishment was cohtcm-
SLATED and commenced, with no other Wow,
than that OF putting down those presses of New
York, which had tho hardhood to rcpcl the
oncroa achments Of an increasing nristocracy,
and to deprive of the means of living, those
independent Editors, who would no: bow down
10 ths feet Of wealth. and lick the hand of
Royalty These men, having accumulated
wealth, by means not tho most prase-woithy,
and coming as they did, from obscure sources,
and being destitute Of talent, wcro sadly cha
prined, be cause the mere acquisition of wealth,
would not gain for them the honors and re-
wards Of tho world, and they .attemptcd.to TO com-
pel the world TO honor them, land acknowledge
them its masters. To carry their designs into
execution, they pretended to unlimited sane
tity-avowed that the press was in depraved
state; and whilst they proiessed mbounded
zeal in the welfare of the people, they worked
upon tho passions Of tho ignorant and super
stitious rcligionist, and winding thcntn their
folds as tho Roa Constructor does his victim,
they sought tho cnslavement of those upon
whose weaknesses they had imposed.
AT the head Of the Junta, is a man who
issues largo and extravagant professions OF
picty, and yearly makes inconsidcrable dona-
tions 10 pious institutions and foreign mlssiona-
~ So, e,ios, for tho purpose of having his name
blazoned about tho world, and trumpe:ed by
tho newspapers. With an air of snnctty, and
monastic frown, he sat upon the highest scat
of the hall of tho inquisitors, and whining n
doleful ditty, mado up Of idle defamation and
hypocritcal cant, he spoke of the prostitution
of the Press-the evil tendencies Of Lotteries
and Theatrical exhibitions, and said, that to
regulate the condition of the press, and to put
down such iniquitous institutions, paper must
be established, and that without the paper
,cere established, the world would be lost
And who is this pious man, and reverend de-
claimer this humane mortal who would star' @
men and their families, oppress the oppressed,
and drive honorable and talented mon from
stations which they have long held, 10 the credit
Of themselves and to the advantage Of tho Re-
public! Ho is a man, who, during the last
struggle between this country and Grcat-Brt-
ain, was engaged in an odous traffic with tho
enemy Of tho country, and daily and hourly
pcrre.rating acts,wh.ch, fife had been detect
ed in them, he would have suffered the scvercst
punishmcnts the law could innict; but who, cs-
Gaping the vengeance Of the insulted dignity
of his country, and the arm Of even-handed
justice, amassed princely fortune, and now
rolling in wealth and splcndor, demands that
tho world shall hitch itself to his car, and kncel
at his nod, and worshi him as the god Of their
idolatry. This pious, self-crcatod demi-god
secure in tho possession Of his ill-acqured
gains, in order TO make somo atonement fol
past oirenscs, has at longth got up the films,
pretence, that he is working for the salvation
of souls, and lives for tho benefit Of mankind
And this profession is made, at tho very mo-
inent when he is dcvising ways and means t'
destroy tho prospects Of whole families, anc
cut off every hope Of an honest man and q