Delaware patriot & American watchman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1828-1828, 1828-04-15
Communications
ron THE DELAWARE PATRIOT.
FIRST PRINCIPLES.

pf frequent return to first principles, a!P'mo ="
have been touched too lightly or supcrhcia''y' y
the writer's object be not mistaken, ne appears 10
have intended to inculcae the idea that the same
shirt of hostility to free institutions. prevails now,
which excited 50 much alarm, persecution ana Vio-
lence from 1877, to 1901, only differing IN form
and operating by means less auGacious or avowed
and tie chief points he dwels upon are those 81
the press and the means employed TO corrupt or
to intmidate it by violence as IN the case OF the
assassin like attack on the editor OF the paper
which DISPLAYS most intellect and independence
10 the capital of Pennsylvania. Reference IS here
made explicitly to the Philadelphia Mercury, edit
ed by MIR. Simpson. !,
Undoubtedly the strong hold of liberty and
the rights of mankind, is the uncontrolled freedom
of the press and it is the point upon which the
eyes of free people should never cease to be
ygantly bent undermine that source OF mental
and moral communication, aAd every thing 'al's
gradually but inevitably after it.
1t was truly said in a letter now befnre me, ny
distinguished Senator of the U S. THE late Stephen
Thompson Mason, of Virginia,) that "an upright ad
ministration Of our free government requires no
press toeend or vndcate it; that in the very worst
astations of the reign of terror, there was at one
period and that the most critical, but one press in
the union that sustained the principles OF the re
voutiun aud there were more than fifty presses
in the country acting in obedience to the govern
Inc authority Of that day yet that ore paper was
sufficient to communicate to the country an Ell
fectual exposition Of the proceedings and abuses
prevailing; while the laboIs ct the fifty employed.
and the treacherous or pusanmous neutrality OF
the rest could not proong the reign OF men
who obviously hostile to the principles of the
revolution"
This was probably true Of the time and circum
stances to which it related, but it does not wholly
,,.~ A la, boa
serious resolution i'll the concerns OF the press
since that period The number of papers has in
creased to an extent 50 enormous as to weaken
the influence and to deteriorate the quality Of the
materials.
The writer hereof lived in the midst of the tur-
buence and prescription of the reign Of terror.
and now III retirement frequently reviews the
events Of that period. IN nothing is the change
IN the circumstances of society more worthy Of
consideration than in what relates to the press,
then ami at has time
There ~ no press now watch has equal circula-
ton with the paper alluded to by Mr.. Mason ;
much to the point on men and measures. The
grandson Of Fiarklin had the calmness and the
,uavity, with the cool energy and never appalled,
spirit of his grandsre; and it may as an
illustration of the spirit of those times to show to
what an extent prescription was carried in those
days. against the free press.
There was an incipient conspiracy against the
principles Of the government, before 1877, but it
was carefully concealed from the military cheGoin
who was at the head the government. The leaders
in that combination acted by remote means, BY false
anecdotes OF persons who were either ntractabe or
whose sub,erviency could not be depended upon
The allutements Of equipage, fashion, entertain.
ments, and the separation Of the aristocrac, from
the plebeiones, we're among the means employ ed
in those days. Bache, the grandson Of Franklin
had the al antase Of the most polished society and
the best education that could be provided in France
in Geneva. aud the college of his native city,
10 those who had the pleasure of his acquaintance
he was man of the sottest manners and the
greatest cquanimity his knowledge was unusual
for man of his years; and like the celebrated
Sir WIN. Jones, III the gay assembly, he was the
model and the admiration OF both sexes In fact.
hls taste impaired to the city assembly much Of
the order and elegance in which it was, it must
be acknowledged, rather deficient, before.
But he conducted pure press-a press com.
menced under the counsels and directions OF the
pride Of Impricd the venerable Franklin. IL was
not to be tolerated by the mouid be nobility, the
nsolent huckstering al sincracy Of that day, that
man should give the fashion, and be the most ell.
eeant and distinguished gentleman of the city as
| ,elnbly, who opposed the woud-be hiuher ordcrs
Nv VIM uh'en III MS person the brightest accom-
pl>hments, with the purest republican priDciples
But how to get lid OF this man, whose manners
and principle, were relieved in the eye of society
by the dizziness and lnsufficiency by which he wa,
surrounded. An exp"dient was resorted to, which
wa, characteristic Of the policy and purposes which
aspired 70 arrest the career Of the grand eyner.
linen o. popular government.
Under the co'or of framing rules for the dancing
Assembly. i was among other things provided. that
| 7pDcb Al tbairI II,
to the city assemblies II would be amusing were
II not invlious to give biographical sketch of be
lords md ladips OF the day, but alas thew have
nearly all moved off the theatre of their p..;.;oa