The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-07-28
CIR Gu L A II
OFFICE OF THE PILOT,
BALTIMORE, 1910.

BALTIMORE 1910. }
To the Postnsasters ofthe United States
1 take the liberty to tread, so far, in Mr.. Ken
dalrs footsteps, as to address, to all the Post
masters in the United States, this circular and
Prospectus do this, because, although MIR. Ken
dali gave different construction to the law, hold
it to be the duty of Post-masters to treat with
respect, communications which relate to newsPa-
pers, contributing so much to the revenue OF the
Department. / do so because, in the most vio-
lent party times, have found the great body of
Deputy Post Masters courteous, and respectful,
and kro,c that Mr.. Kendall has not superseded
every gentleman, whom he found in office. l
am further emboldened TO do SO because, although
there are some, Il hope there are but few who
are SO much the slaves of party and of prejudice,
as to treat this communication in an improper
manner, the signs of the times portend change,
and such men are not regardless OF consequences
The introduction of steamboats, in transatlan-
tic navigation and the bearing which it viii ne
cessarily have on the interests of all classes of
American society, give importance TO for
eign news. The experience Of the last sixteen
years shows how important are the proceedings
of Congress, and how much it is the duty Of
every citizen to become well acquainted with
federal legislation. The Pilot has been es-
tablished at Baltimore, after much reflection, as
the best point at which newspaper can be pub
lished So long as Government rewards party
services as it now does, and as it has done for
MANI years,-so long as the patronage of the
Executive can, directly or indirectly, 6estow the
public printing, which is now worth from hiEy to
one hundred thousand dollars per annum' the
press at Che seat of Government will be regaia-
ted by the hope of obtaining, or the feai Of losing
It. 10 cannot SeTce the Erecuti1e and Co9sfeSS
and be faithful to the people. I'speak IRON eA-
nerience; and consider the press at Washing
ton. under its present relation to Congress and
tbe Executive, as the most dangerous engine OF
corruption, in this or any other Government
The patronage Of the party, cannot yield less
tban one hundred thousand dollars, clear profit, to
the Globe, during the present year. How can
the people expect press to be Tree and ialtfiu III
70 them when the breath of the Executive can
and does give such reward for suSserviency
Can the creature of the Executive VIII, recelv-
;ne such price for political prostitution, be
relied on to warn the people of Executive en-
eroachments?
The great and fundamental difference be-
tween ours and monarchical governments Is
that. we have reserved the right, peaceGbty 10
cbo,ee ON. rulers; but if we permit our Execu-
five so to use the public press, which is the lever
saf public sentiment, as to perpetuate ITSELF oy
~s.e,ection. aud the nomination OF successor
the GREAT principle which lies at the foundation
IL the government, will be defeated Instead Of
free and virtuous choice of the best men, II Will
ssaYIoyy. as of necessity, that to perpetuate the
,..,;,,, az the same men, or of the same party,
.,oso m mower will use the official patronage TO
.,,,rcbase votes; and the press Will De purchased
81, ,,e,s;oned as the agent OF corruption Such
~ condition Of the government press now;
"a sucb will be the condition oil the govern
',o,,t ,rsss at Washington, under any ADMINS.
-s.;on ssFor srhere your treasure u.s., mere aou
.t 10 ,lso.n And 50 long as the govern
49,. navs the press, the press will servs.tne go
.,sr0naent at the expense OF the people, -
-. r,r,,ose is to establish free press
. ro.st rest on the affections and ta
s,,,,,,ort of the people. 1t must tss'Fs r.
80 from the people which VIII saaial -,
s 800 chem. would secure its devotion 70 N
-, 4, the same way that the sxecauve =, ~
r.s',rsa tbe fidelity Of the Globe. as the o'o,
4 now supported by the Executive, -,
I've the PILOT to be supported by the fe0p'
that is would build up for the r''0' p'f'''