Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-08-14
NEWSPAPERS.

The influence of newspapers on public
opinion and taste, has been the subject of
frequent remarks, and the value Of this
means of disseminating information Of eve
ry description. has been duly appreciated in
all parts of the world, where the art of prin-
ting has extended itself.
We need no other proof of these facts.
than the jealousy for the freedom ofthe press
which is manifested in free states. and the
arbitrary and tyrannicui restrictions which
are imposed on 1t by all dcspotic govern
ments.
The result of accurate calculation shows.
that there Is Il greater number of dailv and
other papers circulated in the United States.
than in any other part of the world. Afact
highly honorable To the intellectual and lite
rary character of our country. And although
1t has been by some supposed, that there was
an excess OF freedom leading eventually and
rapidly 10 RIGHTEOUSNESS, we ardently hone
that all attempts to tramel The free express
sion OF opinion on men and measures in their
public capacity, will be sternly met in their
inciplency and crushed with Indignation.
We regret To acknowledge, that in the fer
vor of political controversy, the press has. in
the hands of iniudicious and violent Darti-
Fans, too often been made the vehicle OF
ISLANDERS which have fallen with u damninr
weight on the heads of %virtuous victims. and
spread poison over the circle ofdomestic and
social happiness. This evil, however great.
must be endured, rather than leopardize our
political institutions. Our civil institutions
too, have provided a remedy against wanton.
and vlihtylng attacks of this nature, and the
INJURY is sure 10 recoil on the head of the of.
fender, as soon as time has enabled an en-.
lShtened public TO discriminate between
truth and falsehood.
There are, however, evils of another char
actcr, which unfortunately are suffered TO
percolate through the columns of some ga
%zettes, to the great detrimont of society. IN
aSmuch as they assume a harmless appear
ance, and arc allowed to pass uunoticcd from
tie slight Influence they are imposed 10
have on readcrs.-True they are regarded
with contempt by persons of sound intellcc.
and correct taste; but when frcquently pre-
Sented to the young and inexperienced. their
tendency Is TO vItiate the taste and keen the
Judgment IN n state of pucrilc weakness.
c allude To those miserable attempts M
punS and wItticisms, which OCCUPY so laroe
Il space in columns that we will not at pre-
sent name, and regret to see a mind natu-
rally combining strength and elegance. and
refined by polite education, suuandcrinr lis
powers on such triflcs. 1t forms but q niti-
iul excuse for an editor, that many of his
readers may be pleased with such articles.
and that nc must adapt himself TO the TASTES
OF all. Light reading and pungen wit may
he introduced occasionally: but il should be-
JudIclously and sparingly used. He is i'm n
measure responsible for the sanity of the
public taste and morals, and is no more at lib
erty to indulge them with such corrupted lt.
e%raturc, than he is 10 offend against mod
AnN.H - IL -.
csty' by the introduction of liceutious tests
and profanity.
Editors cannot he too %scrupulous az to tlc
matter they issue in their COLUMNS. New
papers are placed in the hands Of all oocs
and sexes, and should be free from wbatcycr
might cause a blush OH the female check. or
iGad youth to form hypcrbolical or false
ideas.- ScrUtjHi,er
Il I'gsr.-"ln 1912, a party Of the Brit
ISM Naval and Military officers were dining.
IN alunglc AZ some distance from Madras.