Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1833-12-26
lishment. Such vas not the ease now;
and time. which has multiplied the con

and time. which has multiplied the con
rerns and extended the business cf this
Commonwealth. and developed the re
sources OF mechanical enteTprize. while i
has relieved VS. from The necessity Of anv
dependence upon the Periodical Press, has
revealed more clearly before Us the mis-
chiefs which flow from an association OF
the patronage OF Government with the
Press. The connexion IS corruptinR-in
JTrious 10 the country. and the character
Of the Press, and leads 10 consequences IN
his opinion. alarming 10 the stability OF
our institutions. He thought that not
mong the least Of the evils which threat
ened the country, and that which IN time
was destined 10 rack the machinery OF "a
vernment 10 pieces, was the unine infu
ence Of the Press, united with its known
subserviency TO the sources from which il
derived its patronage. Editors in this
country, are rapidly becoming our mas
iers they misl-sd and control public sen
timen', dictate TO President. Governor, p :
w Councillors, declare war, make peace.
and in fact may he said TO exercise all the
functions and attributes of sovereignty
Whence these arrogant and DANCE, Gus pre-.
tensions Of the Press? Inhis opinion. one
main cause was, that the Press. 10 so ma
nv instances, derived lis patronage from
Government. was fed. nourished and sup
ported by Government. Men in power.
naturally seek TO prrpetuate their auihori
~. They have an interest to remain in
office, when il is often the interest Of the
people. that they should be excluded from
it. How do they accomplish these ends?
Through subsidized and vebal Press -
4 Press dependent upon the people alone
for its support and influence, must consult
the wishes and vindicate the rights and in
terests Of the people-A Press the mere
proiigee Of Government, and indie pendent
Of the people. will naturally look to the
source from whence it derives its bread
and prefer the interest of its masters, TO
that Of the people. Look TO the state of
things at'W Washington. There war Press
| that lnsulted the Senate, slan,iefed the Re
presentaiivrs Of the People. trampled IN
der foot al the Departments Of the Govern
ment. except that one from which il de-
rived ITS patronage and support-other e
wills flow from this connection, and they
are apparent upon the same theatre. He
alluded TO the iDtrlgues and disgraceful
management about the election Of Public
P,infrr. growing out ofthe practice there
"f combining governmental patronage
with the Press The Public Printing j.
there, reward for political services As
each party iriumphs,it ann'hilates what the
other has done. and ele, ates its favori,es
10 Office. One Congress elects a Public
Printer - another declares the election
void. Would these disgracefnl scenes
take place if mechanical offices were con
fined TO mechanics only, and not confer
red as rewards to political partizans and
para>ifesP He was satisfied the peace and
tranquility CT the country, and the purity
ri the Press would he promoted. by Sc.
vering all connrxion between the Govern
ment and the Press The Public Prin
iiug Of the State. like any other job work
Of the Capitol. wound be iono without the
excitement Of political contention. and the
Press would hr forced 10 rest alone npon
'ts own merits for influence and conside
ration Among the people
The gentleman from Richmond CITY,
mas spoken OF prescription, and has ap
peaied to US TO know, If we mean to pro-
scribe MIR Richie Tor bi. opinions. The
idea ronid scarcty have been seriously
"rgec. Virginia, which has never ceased
to express her adherence at IN. p-rnicious
and nnjn.'iiiahie system Of prose rip,,on by
the Federal Government. could sca,cel,
he thought 10 tolerate such system in her
own limits II is not asked 20 turn Mr.
RIchc ont Of office on account Of hi. o
innions; but II - urged that man ought
nor 7" he elected Ia an Offire fnr which he
does not possess single prof ssionsi quail
,'ra''"n. merely because hr is a politician.
We wish To see Virginia This ..av set The
nigh and lauda''le example Of acting upon
p'nc'pie, disconnected from all party
'"nsmerations. II will add another 10 the
rich honnrs that th,cken around her maine
For lofty ~ IS her position in this confe
j"facy Of tue States nigh and elevated
the parity ard di,in,ere>,-dness Of her
public character. she could not aspire
to mother distinction, than 10 redeem
the purity of the Press. ard rescue il from
ITS pro-tiiuted connection with govern.
mtnt patronage. MIR. r. concluded With
prononncing warm eulogium upon Mr
Shepherd, in his character AS a man and
patriot,