Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-05-26
From the Sara,aah Mercury, .Mgy IS.
INDEPENDENCE OF THE PRESS.
Orthe Prtufer and has pDi,ons

ton List. the other morning, we looked up and saw
our old friend Fudge Pufiendort before us.
81 see you have not yet learnt all Tire secrets OF
your trade (says he and have called to give you
little wholesome ADVICE
We have great pleasure in receiving advice
"And too little discretion in following it, (sad he)
i see how 1t Isl but no matter; will open to
But here he was Interrupted b. r knocking at the
door and in moment he sunk behind the SCREEN
our patron a entered.
81 am very sorry says Mr.. Il that yon came out
with that piece tins morning. IL will play the very
devil with your concern. have heard several peo-
Pic say that they mean To stop your paper
Can't help 1t; On Editor, you know mus speak his
mind
80 certainly I like to see Editors independents
But then it's always best to be on the right side
And to tell you the truth have no wish to support
a papcr winch propagatcs such dangerous doc
trlnes. just give you piece Of my mind Good
morning."
Aud he went out hut tie door had scarcely closed,
when in came Mr.. 3.
That capital piece, This morning. says
,hc)--iust the thing Put my name down as ii sub
scribcr ike to see Editors independent. Here's
10 long advertisement, keep it in u month"
But before we had time to couguaiulat ourselves
on the event Mr.. G made his appearances.
Sir, (says he) have called to tell You that you
may stop my paper. can never support an Editor
who enturtans such absurd opinions"
Certainly, sir--shall receipt your bill,
why, to that, another time will 10 as we'll
Bot take the liberty of telling you that the Tariff
Is ruinous TO the country and moreover diabolical
and If you do hot come against it, we will put
You doWutliats all. 1 like to see Editors indepen-
dent"
And he departed in high dudseon But in mo
ment after, Mr.. y came in.
Good morning, Mr.. Editor (says hc) have Just
called to let you know that nay friend Sir. Sp likns
is about to start for Alderman, and | wish YOU TO
give him a IA in your paper"
Why, to be sure, (said wei MIR. Spflikins is very
decent man; but sIonld suppose might select
more useful Alderman.
'Frue must confess there are slnaic7 mon than MIR
SpilfkIs; but then have reason for wishing him
elected And certainly you cannot refuse to sup
port him, considering have always supported
| you, and as we all agree in politics"
Thut, 10 be sure, great matter; but, i'll the Sc
lection ofpuble officers. ought to look to the pub
lie good, and not be governed by private feeling.
every well, sir very well, ny practice is to sup
port these who support Just stop my paper
am for independent Editor who vii! stick to his
| friends without regard TO consequences"
| And he turned on his heel in great pet. But
four cmbarrasments wore not yet at an end. Mr.
| DIS back was scarcely turned before in came Mr..
| f.
81 understand Says hc) that old Spialns has been
put up as a candidate for Alderman Now want
you to lay hin, out cold wedge 1t NAV be
done in three lines. And, do you hear? Call him
an old fool-an old duuderhead--and all that kind
of thing. Don't fear Consequences! There's no.
thing like independence in TN Editor"
But consider Mr. e. there is something due to the
feelings of worthy old man. even though he be no
! Solomon. II IS not every one for whom cannot
vote, that feel free 20 arraign before the public
''W hat! you won't write against him then--Just
stop my paper won't support Editor who can't
be independent.
You Sir, lsaid We TO OFF friend Pufendorf who
rejoned rs The heavy tramp OF our last angry vis-
tor died away the earl how impossible i, is for an
Editor 10 please every body. These all equally
friends al! equally admirers OF the independence of the
Press. And vet g thcr of them would In moment
sacrifice il to his own convenience; would trsupIe
t under foot, whenever it crossed las own path or
lnterfcred with his particular feelings or preiu-
dlccs. teu see that the same paragraph which e1-
cites the admiration OF the one will prove the hos
Utility Of another. And that in contested elections
the Editor Is posted between two res he IS sure TO
DC scorchcd by one, perhaps by both.
You have found it out then, at last; fsaid our
frend fUi;endort;) that is the very subject or and
concerning which, wished to give you little sage
ADVICE In the first place, let advise you, never
to commit yourseB on any subject. If you find it
necessary to say any thing, speak very dhlouy first
say smart thing on tins side, and then on that II
~ speak out, you VIII most certainly Interfere with
some Of the prCCOICeivcd notions Of some OF yonr
rolS, and then YOU viii bcsure TO lose business In all
cases OF contested elections never support or cpvosa
any candidate you TEI certainly make On enemy
OF tie party you oppose and perhaps also Of the par
~ whose interests You espOUse. Because it is not
often that candidate win be content will, tho rn,
sure Of praise that you may be disposed to .ne,e ont
If he have character Of his own he Yill expec.
you TO give him ono and if your imagination be NOT
very prolific he will be disappointed in these lust ex
pectations IF he have Preentious, he will be con-
vlnoed that You have not done him Justice IF be
succeed, he viii suspect Tint the public believes no
owes you an rhIigatonj and he will therefore be vour
cnnrly II he lose his election, 10 viii attribute bis
failure to your want Of zeal, ability in the rnansr.
nent of his md nc viii dislike YOU on that sc
count II IS always dangerous far On editor to On
pose al individual, 1t is scarcely less So to support
him" FP"'
say nothing at all.
You have hit # very nearly. There arc very few
topics he can a?pGach aud spc1t out. without CROSSING
The views OF some one But this simple maxim viii
carry you tnnmphaptly though every difficulty
" hatcFer may be The subject however unlnportant
may at the FIRST view appear-neuer commit himself
Let Your edit orias be like D9phic oracles, every
trrAnL nnitr,rn l. -.