The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-11-24

DROSPECTUS OF THE sPECTATOR.-The
i subscribers propose 10 publish al the seat OF
Government, Weekly Newspaper, to be called
"TIIE SPECTATORS" They believe that such
publication will not be superiluous. Its plan will be
different from thaE9f the papers already established
in Washington. IL viii not give the debates at LENGTH
but present comprehensive and satisfactory sum
mary of the proceedings in both Houses OF Congress,
with such comment or remarks as Will contribute TO
their calculation. Striking or interesting speeches
will also be inserted, from time 10 time, or such ex-
tracts therefrom may be most worthy OF attention
The editorial department viii discuss the questions
of the day with spirit and with fairness, and IN a
manner which, il is hoped, will prove acceptable
to the popular taste familiarity with domestic
politics, acquired by residence of several years at
the capital and the soourn Of one Of them abroad, Of
similar duration, at an interesting period OF European
history, have given them some slight advantages for
the task proposed Communications from intelligent
will also be furnished and IT shall be their
effort to present to their readers that attractive variety
without which the most important topics are apt to
pail upon the public mind. Events are constantly oc-
curing, at home and abroad, beyond the sphere of
personal and party politics, attention to hich
cannot fail To elucidate political questions and pro-
mote national interests. Judicious selections from
foreign journals, which are so accessible IN Wash
ington, continental as well as English, popular at
tenton in this count being directed too exclusively
to the latter) cannot but interest the nqurng read
er whose liberal curiosity and expansive sympathies
extend beyond the confines, however ample, OF his
own country Nor will literature and general criti-
csm be neglected, though kept subordinate to the
paramount ends of political Journal. In a word, it
Is the design of the subscribers To fur lsh spirited
and instructive paper, for which, they persuaded,
peculiar faces are found al the seat of Govern
ment.
Without appealing to their past position and exer-
tions they viii content themselves here with declar-
ing that their opinions thoroughly and unchange-
ably Democratic yet, they would fam hope, not il
liberal uncharitable. They will discuss questions
| and judge men with freedom, yet with that modera-
ton which gives additional strength to frmness, and
that candor which is the best proof and pledge OF
| sincerity.
They fully sensible Of the doubts and difficult
| ties which must attend novel undertaking Of
this nature. But one may succeed where another
has failed and when effort has proved aborye, a
second may triumph over every obstacle. 1t has been
said, by wise and great man, that human enter
prise would be attempted if every objection must first
be removed. The subscribers have resolved to try,
at least and all they ask of their friends is kind
support of their first and feeble steps. They venture,
also, to express hope that Editors personally po-
cally friendly will give this brief prospectus
sertiop-a favor which they will be happy to ac-
| knowledge in suitable manner.
| J. l.. MARTIN.
| J. HEART.