The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-08-24

We have been favored with AN address deli
vered before the literary societies of Randolph
Macon College, Va, by Governor GLMER,
which should be read both by the youth and the
men of our country. The production is one OF
the best of the class that we have seen. We
regret that our space will not permit US to copy
it entire We give, however an extract, which
will be found interesting TO the editorial corps
"Great changes and certainly great improvements,
too, have been made throughout the civilized world
in the newspaper or periodical press. The number
and talent of those now engaged IN conducting lite
Iary and political journals, entte them to be consid
cred among the professions which exercise the great
est influence in forming the taste and character OF our
age. The scope and importance of the periodical
press have been vastly extended. 1t IS much more
now than chronicle of events. 1t is far from
being content with sketching portraiture OF the
times Ii is mighty power which directs the
thoughts of men, and purifes pollutes the chief
fountains of public opinion. The editor now nils
station of great responsibility to society To fulfil
the duties of his trust he should possess high moral
and intellectual attanments He is not only wit
esyng to the world, under the strongest obli-
cations to tell the truth, the whole TRUTH and moth
ing but the truth, but he is also advocate, coun-
seor retained by the people, to slft the facts which
he presents and deduce conclusions Of the utmost
consequence to private feelings and public Justice
Inc SophSty or chlcanery OF Otner advocates may
he revised and correc ed before calmer more
astute tribunal but the editor, especially the politi-
cal editor, stands at the bar of the supreme bench,
whose decisions final and whose errors may be
fatal Whoever undertakes to instruct others in the
great concern OF Government, should himself be
well informed; whoever attempts, weekly or daily,
to lecture his countrymen the policy of measures
and the qualifications of statesmen, should himself be
| more than a statesman, more than legislator a
| judge-he should be philosopher.
| The labors of the periodical press becoming
daily more subdivided We have already scientific,
literary legal medical ecclesiastical political, agrl
cultural, mechanical, and commercial, besides vari-
GUS other miscellaneous journals, devoted to the
tastes and pursuits OF every interest and sect OF our
country. Information is derived from these
by many to whom libraries and books inaccessi-
ble or who have not leisure for their examination.
Much the larger portion Of fellow-citiZens rely
on these The perfect freedom of the press
in the United States brings every subject under the
focus of public opinion This striking characteristic
of our institutions rests on the anxiom that "error
ceases to be dangerous when is left free to
combat it," ard experience has taught the wisdom
of this axiom less by the utility of subjecting our
highest interests to the test Of reason than by the
danger Of trusting to the passions of rbald and Ii
centious press. The freedom of the press like the
freedom of the CITIZEN under the salutary restraints
OF obligations imposed by just regard for the rights
and the feelings of Others 1t safer to trust the IL
cenousness Of liberty $50 far the press
ed) to the corrective of public opinion, than to pow
or government which may prove the RIGHTEOUSNESS
OF despotism. When this remedy fails the general
decline and downfall of the Republic