The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-29
From the Baltimore .4me,ican.
REPRESENTATIVE POWER-THE PUBLIC
PRESS

As general truth il may be said that all power IN
this country representative power. The lndlvidu
ais that exercise it do not by any inherent right Oh
their own--but as agents. Fidelity to their trust
constitutes their sole claim To honor and consldera-
ton.
Our public in legislative and other Official
posts have the responsible task of giving shape and
form and definite action to power through the prac-
teal medium of laws. Their position is one which
affords room for much dscretionthough still under
final and an inevitable responsibility.
representative in Congress may narrow himself
into mere mouth-piece of party within has DIS
trict; he may become the tool Of party management
on larger scale and act in concert with others. Or
he may be known the representative OF sectional
interests regardless of the general welfare. lie may
be automaton moving only as he is moved; he may,
again, be an active agent peryertng the functions OF
his place for the advancement Of himself and Tor the
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of party.
In better sense, representative, II his capacity
is small may seek truly to advance the interests oil
his particular district his chief end without regard
to party considerations Or with statesman's lib
erality he may view himself public legislator
whose duty it is to consult the good OF the whole
country and for this end he takes comprehensive
range of all interests and seeks adopt public mea-
sures accordingly. s.
But there is representative power in the country
of which Legislators are but the Instruments pow
commensurate in extent with the sphere OF human
reason-emanating from the blended elements OF hu-
ing the mighty spirit of them all-the power OF the
Press.
Its abuses may be as terrible its influence is
great-but the power exists and its force is demon
strated even by its abuses.
Take the periodical press A newspaper acquires
distinctive character from the moment of It's esab-
shment it is the representative of some interests,
the exponent of principles, the asserer OF doc
trines, ideas, notions, of sort another The
ground it occupies may be narrow or broad but VINO
shall put limits to the energy, the skill, the power,
with which its spirit shall be put foyth to minge IN
the general current of influences that rule over hui
man thought and action
A press may be the organ and instrument of fac
tion-of sect and it may give its influence to pro-
mote dscord to stir the strife of selfish passions, to
provoke and stimulate fierce animosities, and pro-
long resentments the most vindictiye There are
too many such-but true freedom recognises none OF
them.
1t as the representative of sound principles and of
general interests that the press exercises real and
manent influence. Through the friendly intercourse
of exchanges and of mutual transfers among presses
of this kind throughout the Union what vast con-
stituency may single journal represent addresses
itself to the intelligent, the RATIONAL the PATRIOTIC all
over the country-and its voice is echoed back as
their own. Mind communicates with mind across the
mountains the seaboard holds with the Val
ley of the Mississippi and the public sentiment draw
ing its pabulum from the daily offerings which are
ministered to it on every hand, acquires unanlmity,
concentration and power.
While the repositories of sort of Representative
power in Congress are falling under the reproach of
an imperfect fulflment of their duties, and are be-
leved to be in many instances perverting the func-
tons of their stations in view of party arrangements
and ntrgues the people themselves are far in advance
of their legislative delegates, and it is the public press
that now constitutes the true representation of the
country. The voice of the people finds utterance
there's it speaks in tones of rebuke of remonstrance
of indignation. A crisis is at hand the approach of
which is foretokened by thousand signs which the
politicians will not read or which they cannot under
stand 1t is well that in the intelligent press of the
country power may be found not wholly dein-
quent, in the time of need