The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-07-22
From the Savannah Mercury.
INDEPENDENCE OF THE PRES


AS we sat turning over the leaves of our
SUBSCRIPTION list the other morning, we look
ed up and saw our old friend Fudge Puffen-
dorf before us.
" see you have not yet learnt all the Sc
crets OF your trade, (said he and have call
ed to give you little wholesome advice"
we have great pleasure in receiving ad-
vice
"And too little discretion in following it,
lsaid he'll see how it is but no matter
l will open to you -"
But here he was interrupted by knock
ing at the door, and in a moment he skunk
behind the screen, as our patron A. enter
ed.
come 6at vsr iRus sorry Inay 9aid Mr. Al that you
will play the very devil with your concern.
l have heard several people say that they
mean to stop your paper"
Can't help it; an editor, you know, must
speak his mind.
go certainly! like to see editors in
dependent. But then it's always best to be
on the right side. And to tell you the
truth, | have no wish to support paper
which propagates such dangerous doctrines.
just give you piece Of my mind. Good
morning"
And he went out but the door had
scarcely closed, when in came Mr.. B.
"That was capital piece, this morning,
(says he) just the thing. Put my name
down as a subscriber. like to see editors
Independent. Here's long advertisement,
keep it in month"
But before we had time to congratulate
ourselves on the event, Mr.. c. made his
appearance: IN
that you may stop my paper can never
support an editor who entertains such alb
surd opinions"
Certainly, sir,--shall we receipt your
bill?
"Why, as to that, another time will do
as well. But will take the liberty OF tel
ling YOU that the tariff is runous to the
country and, moreover, diabolical; and if
you do not come out against it, we will put
YOU down-that's all. l like to SEQ editors
independent"
And he departed in high dudgeon. But
in moment after, Mr.. D. came IN.
Good morning, Mr.. Editor, (says hey
have Just called to let you know that my
friend Mr.. SpifFlikins is about to start for
alderman, and | wish you to give him L!ft
in your paper. .,
! WHY. to be sure, (said WEI Mr.. Spiffiikins
is verv decent man; but should suppose
we might select a more useful alderman.
"True, | must confess, there are smarter
/ men than Mr.. SpifiiIkins; but then | have
a reason for wishing him elected. And
certainly you cannot refuse to support him
considering we have always supported you
and as we all agree in politics."
That, to be sure, is a great matter; but
in the selection of public officers, we ough,
to look to the public good and not be gov
erned by private feeling.
Every well, sir, very well, my practice is
to support those who support me. Just stoI
nv paper. am for an Independent editor
who will stick to his friends without regard
to consequences.
/, And he turned on his heel in great
/ pet. But our embarrassments were not vel
at an end. Mr.. DIS back was scarcely turn
ed, before in came Mr.. e.
IL understand (said he) that old Spiffli
kins has been put up as candidate for al
derman. Now | want to lay him out a:
cold as a wedge. 1t may be done in three
J lines. And, do you hear? Call him al
old-an Observation-Disclosures all that kind
ofthing. Don't fear consequences!--There
nothing like independence in an editor"
But consider Mr.. E. there is something
due to the feelings of worthy old man
though he he no Solomon. 1t is not every
one for whom we cannot vote that we fee
free to arraign before the public.
, "What you won't write against him
then Just stop my paper. | won't supper
an editor who can't be independent"
You see, sir, (said we to our frient