Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1842-11-12
THE SOUTHERN PRESS.


Mr.. Tasstro has the following remarks
in relation to the press Of the south, in his
new work, ''Ramdom Shots aud Southern
Breezes." He is here speaking Of
period spent in Charles,on:-
| have more than once, believe, allu-
ded 10 the unexceptionable character Of
the southern press, and the respect paid to
the sanctties of private life by southern
journalists. If at any time an attempt
has been made to introduce that deeteri-
Gus kind OF reading which is so popular at
the north, 1t always has been attended
with disastrous results to the aGveniurer.
Indignant deDunciatons and ignomlnous
chastlsement has been uniformly followed
every effort to break down these salutary
barriers behind which society has Intrench.
ed itself. The foul system of espionage,
so successfully pracllsed by unprincipled
letter writer's in northern cities has been
found so perlous to all who have ventured
upon ii, that the most desperate find no
temptation to engage in 1.-THE spirit Of
the entire south Is, in short, opposed to all
violation of the prlvacIes OF life: the pub
lie press Of Charleston is remarkable for
It's lofty tone and It's moderation in all
things. Still, even in the midst of this
well regulated community, an insane al
tempt was made, about this time, to estab-
Iish a paper on principles in direct oppo-
Tn rIahl lao nnI p,,lIfn
good. The editor wretched journeyman
printer, who had been driven from the
north tor misconduct. began by putting
forth prospectus, in which he described
in the glootnest colors, the evil Of the social
system, and announced his determination
TO reyoIutionize society by a fearless ex-
posure Of vice. As an earnest of his pa
triotlsm and the purity of his motives, he
proceeded to make an indecent attack up
on some of the most vrtuous citizens in
the place, which was followed by sum-
mary cas,igation, with gentle hint. that
if he should be found committing similar
misdemeanor again, he might expect a
visit from the Tar and Feather Commit
tee. This might be thought very lnde'
corous mode Of proceeding against man
whose exalted principles led him to under
take, single-handed, the exirpation Of all
moral evil. Here was glorious oppor.
tunity for the editor to speculate on the IN
gratitude Of mankind in general, and ofthe
Charleston people in particular; and as
the sheet appeared only once week, he
had ample time to mediate upon the. sublec
at leisure. According,the next issue con
tanned piteous appeal TO ine virtuous ant
well-disposed; reminding them, among
other things, that the most efficient way
Of preventing man from treading in thu
crooked paths OF lnlquity, was to encour
age him to travel on the straight road 0
righteousness or, in other words that the.
should subscribe for the said appellant
journal Now this argument was certain
Iy unanswerable; and | have no doubt
had the petitioner applied for the situation
of scavenger with so subtle plea, tina
application would have been completed.
successful. The citizens Of Charleston
however, were nett er incapable OF appre
cialing the importance of so valuable al
accession to the press Of the city, or ha
some motive they did not choose to d
vulge for Withdrawing their patronage.
know not how j, happened, but certain
is, that the appeal, notwithstanding II
melting eloquence, was altogether disre
garded. Our editor, then waxing mon
! strously indignant, threatened an immed
ate eruption Of The most awful disclosures
T unless he was supplied, nilly tciliy, wit
the means of buying his bread and butte
This was the GROWING incident of his et
D itorial career: he never was heard Of a
i terward!-Thus will ever terminate a
attempts made al the south TO Invad
: the peace of families by the inToducIio
e of scurrllous journals.