Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1845-05-12
MONDAY, MAY I2, le45.
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRESS.
"A Diroree demanded L The Purity Of both. and by

The impression has been generally prevalent that the
Executive of the United STATES has always had its 'Or.
gam" sustained by the public treasury, and enabled by
its ample receipts from that 10 exist, indepen-
denily Of the support derived from the people. But the
fact is not so. II is true, that that admirably conducted
Journal the National Ini.iigencer, was, du the ad
minsiralion of Mesrs Jefferson. Madison and Monroe,
the medium through which the Executive communica-
led its official publications to the country But tina,
was the extent Of the connection between ihem for du
ring that time, it neither had nor virtue of posi-
ton claimed to have monopoly Of the public printing
even. itself declares enjoyed "a fair share Of H."
But, as the Inteligencer further asserts. neither Mr.
Jefferson Mr. Madison undertook "to interfere
with the management, control The conduct Of the
paper" while during Mr.. Monroes term, $50 far from
being controlled by the Executive, or Influenced in its
course by considerations Of what advantage might de
rive iiom Executive patronage, il happened that
rioos difference between the Executive and the
conductors oie paper, year two before The expra
ration of Mr. Monroe's term Of service. which was only
reconced after that distinguished and excellent patriot
became private gentleman"
How broad and marked is the contrast presented by
the course of the Washington Globe which, confessedly
having lis origin in he ciH Of Gen. Jackson" knew
no law but that exactlng and nflexbe will. not only
during the continuance of his official teri" OF service but
even during that OF his appointed successor hat act
eithe. of those administrations did the Globe
demn or even ''hesitae dlsllke2" Not one. What
great measure, ON the other hand, of Gen Jackson's
Nj. Van Buren's administration, did moi the Globe de
fend with all the zeal Of pensioned advocate Each
one. What system, marked by either Of them for de-
sirucon, did II fail 10 assault with its siawari arm =
Not one What man, whom they doomed to osracsm.
did it hesitate undermine by insidous sander OF 10
destroy by ncessant streams Of calumny and abuse q
Not But shall not attempt TO trace the course
of this pampered Executive organ we have neither
time for the task. Let one or two examples Of
its uniform servy suffice
When Mr.. Calhoun as special object Of Executive
vengeance who forget the frrocious rnalign,y
with which he was denounced by the Globe, which hes
itaied to couple with his name terms and epthels
that belong only to the most infamous lanes in his
tory. True, it has praised Mr. Calhoun since-The
consplraor asalnst the peace and stability Of the Unon
has been meiamorphosed into spolcss patriot he
"wno would never tell The truth when ialsehood .erv
ed his purpose )" has become model ofrcclilude But
why this change in The temper aud language Of the
Globe. towards the distinguished South Carolinan d
Simply because, concurring with Mr.. Van Buren, in
ference To single question IN 1887 the Sub Treasury
his support was deemed essential the success If that
eenlemans administration, aud 10 his reelection 10 the
Presidency The Erecuiirc the reore, IN whose "wiIl'
the Globe had its origin, and upon Nhic it still de
pendent for support required change y tune and To-
The Catlne of yesterday becomes the Cato If day =!
The Globe being the servant, of course the echo of
the Executive And, turning lis batteries from VI
Calhoun, the whole nrco Of lis artillery then di-
eced upon Senator Rves, before the object Of lis
rying enlogy, who had been driven from Mr. Van Blu
ren's support by the very measure which proved
ira,ive TO Mr.. Calhoun
Aud what the course Of the Globe in reference to
that celebrated measure Precisely what might have
been expected. from press which, originating IN The
Ereraiics 'tc and subsidized from The treasury was
necesitae, the slave of creator who held in his
hands the keys Of the strong box-as every press must
be, thus corning Into being, and thus sustained Need
we reeraie facts, olrn told that their very rcpeti-
ton seems to have impaired their power To quicken pub
lie suspicion and to arouse public Indignation Need we
say, tina, when the Executive portrayed the Sub1rea
sury as monster Of Federal conception, the ipemng
parent of brood Of mschies threatening al Ike the safe
ty of the public and the purify ofhe public
the very letter and that in f,ur short years. when
This horrible Feera bsnting by some miraculous rro
cess became favorite with The Executive and was nut
forth with untquaed etfronery the offspring and les,
of Republicanism. that sane subsidized and servile
Press obedent to its mercenary instincts which point
ed to the treasury like the needle the pole shouted
hosannas To the wisdom and patriotism that had cocciy
ed and maiured that "great of Deverance and
Liberty ?"
These things "were not done in corner' They
stand out prominently in the history Of the times. And
although the frequency Of their repetition may have d.
mnshed the public appreciation of their cnormtv, no
thing can mitigate their tnrpude and surely all will
that The system which gave birth such mons,rous
tergversaons should be, if possible suhveried Thai
system is The meretricious union Of the Erecutre and
The Pressthe means If lis subverson is 10 be found in
thsr dirorce The purity of BOTH well As consdera-
ions ol public economy. impcrativcly demand that
connection so susceptible Of abuse and SO pregnant with
danger shall not be permitted permanently TO exist An
honest Executive needs pensuned defender: and if he
does, he has no right to the public funds for such
purpose. dishonest Executive ought MOI, To have :,
subsidized press under his coniro and If he does he
should not be permitted to employ the money of The peo
pie to sustain hireng pens in Guessing his msdeeds
and in paa,ing his ourages IT, indeed, the enerpies
of his mind and heart be honestly directed to the adj
vancemeni Of the public welfare his very position. indie
pendently of those obvious motives which will always
attract to his defence and support free press will rally