Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-09-07


felt and To excite tho popular They have
proved also that this is not always agitated with
out danger 10 thosc who strive to secure its
pose
A multitude of facts collec ed during .be course
of the late electoral operations, confirm these state
ments, and afford too certain presage OF new COM
motions, did not you Majesty possess power of
rcmedying the evil.
To attentive observer, there every where ex-
lists necessity for order, force and permanency,
and the Disturbances which appoap the most oppo-
sed to such necessity, reality but the
sion and testimony of it.
These agtatons Which cannot be increased With
out great peril, are almost exclusively produced and
excited by the liberty allowed to the press A law
of elections not less prolific disorders, has without
doubt concurred, assisted to maintain them. but we
must deny the evidence of senses to see in
the periodicals the principal focus of corrupt on.
the progress of which becomes daily more sensible
the origin of the calamities which threat n the
Kingdom.
Experience, S,re speaks louder than theory; en-
lishtened even Without doubt, whose patriotism
not be suspected, carried away by the example of
neighboring people have believed that the advanta-
GEES of the periodical press would be neutrazed by
contrary excuses 1t is not so-ihe proof is dec-
sive and the question is now determined.
At all epochs the periodical press has only been,
and from nature nnusi be instrument of
disorder and setition.
How numerous and irresutable are the proofs that
may be brought to support this truth. 1t Is by the
violent and unine rupte6 action of the press thai we
are to attribute those too Sudden and too frequent
changes In our Internal policy. 1t has not permit ed
regular and stable system of government to be es-
tabIshed IN France, nor hat continued and strenu-
efforts should be made to introduce into the va
rious branches public administration those amelio-
rutlons of which they susceptible Every ministry
since 1914 though formed under different circum-
stances, and acuated by different impulses, have been
exposed TO the attacks and to the same unbr
died expressions OF passion. Sa crces of every kind.
concessions of power alliances of party nothing has
been able 20 protect them from this common destiny
This fact ane, fertile reflections, suffices to
assign TO the press Its true and character
1t labors by and persevering efforts daily
repeated, 10 loosen all the bonds OF obedience and
subordnation, to weaken the springs of public au-
thority, to sink and Gebase it in the opinion of the
people, and to create for it every where embarrass
ments and resistance.
It's consists substituting for Il credulous
submission of the mind the healthy liberty of exami-
nation, bat reduce the positive truths pro-
bems; not to invite frank and useful controversy
upon political questions, blu. to present hem false
light and to resolve them by sophsms.
The press has thus dlsordered The most upright
minds. shaken the hrmest convictions, and produced
in the bosoms of society confusion of principles
W hoh favOrs The most disastrous attempts. Anarchy
in doctrines prelude TO anarchy in the state
1t is worthy Of remark, Sire that the periodical
press has fulfilled its most essential condition
namely, that there is no publicity in France taking
this word It's just and rigorous occupation In he
actual state of things facts when they entirely
suggestions. are only presented TO many millions of
odious manner A thick cloud raised by the Jour
mails DISCUSSES the truth, and in prevents
perfec unders,a nding between the government and
the people The bings,your predecessors, Sire. have
been des!rous freely TO communicate with their sub
jects but this satisfaction which the press IS not
willing that yonr Majesty should enjoy.
a RIGHTEOUSNESS which has outstrpped all bounds
even upon the most solemn occasions, and neither
Spected the wishes of the hing the adoress
made to them from the threne The one has been
| mistaken perverted and the other has been the
subj ect of commentary bitter derlson. 1t is thus
that the last act of royal authority, the proclama
ton few into genera dscredit even before it was
known to the electors
Ylhis is not al-the Press has tendency to sub
l1ugute the sovereignty and usurp the powers Of The
state. The pretended organ of public opinion it
aspres to direct the debates in the two chambers
and II inconestiby EXERCISES influence upon those
debates, no less baneful than deceptive This do
mnion IN the Chamber OF Deputies, especially for The
last two three years, has assumed manifest
character OF oppression and tyranny. We have
seen IN this interval the journals pursuing with
suit and outrage members whose vote appeared to
them either uncertain or suspected. Too often,
Sire, the freedom Of the deliberations n this cham
Der has fallen sacrifice to the renewed attacks Of
the press.
We cannot qualify, in moderate terms, the
conduct OF the opposition journals in relation to
cent events After having themselves provoked an
address, attacking the prerogatives of the throne,
they have not scrupled to consider the reelection of
the 22 deputies who voted this address,
OF principle notwithstanding your Majesty objected
to this address offensive; it attached public re-
proach to the refusal concurrence which gas there
expressed 1T announced its mistaken resolution not
to defend tho rights of your crown so openly com
promised. The periodical prints have paid no atten
ton to this, on the contrary they have considered il
duty to renew, to perpeuate, and to aggravate the
offence Your Majesty will decide if this rash at
tack should remain a longer time uupunished.
But OF all the excuses of the press, perhaps the
most serious remains to be mentioned. From the
eyDPdlfIOn
ton oil which has thrown glory, pure and an e.
clqt so durable epon the noble of France, the
press has criticised with violence unheard of, the
causes, the means, the preparatves and chances of
honor, no thanks to 1t that ensign does not
main tarnlshed with he insults Of barbarian. In
different to the great interests of hunanty,i 1T does
not depend upon it that Europe is longer sub
Ject to cruel slavery and shameful tribute.
This was not enough By treason that should be
nnennh Bile Ia The god tself In