Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-03-11
The Public Press.

IL II so that the public taste II radically
corrupted? Has the strife and bitterness of
party warfare generated Il preference in the
public mind for abuse. over argument Does
contemplating upon good men, by tn"
newspaper press-unsustaincd hy any TACT
which could Justify even Il question OF their
loyalty 10 all that is honorable, really avail
10 undermine character and break down III
fnence and popularity? l. a cause more Ell
frctively supported at the bar Of public "pln-
ion by a fippant sheer. than 10y 81 'ignihcd
appeal to reason? Unless these questions
can be- answered in the affirmative, the course
latcl V pursued by certain party Journals OF
Virginia towards prominent men among their
opponents, will damage rather than prom"t"
/ its cause.
II they can be 50 answpred-then that
course may be etfectlye--but can be 81, only
by feeding Il corrupt and rihald taste for per
-oualities. There is something warming {"
a manly nature i'll the stern conflict Of "P-
posing npinions-it is pleasant i'll meeting
II frank and vigorous adversary. t" expert
cncc
The stern joy which warriors feel.
In formen worthy If their STEEL
The discussion of public affairs is useful
in informing the public mnd-and when
conducted in style to he thus useful, Is all
the more in proportion to the vlSor and
keenness with which it is conducted. But Il
carping. cavilling spirit. whose idea of politl-
cal warfare is to smut Il gentleman who OPP
poses his party-to deprcclatc his abilities,
not by answering his arguments or convict
ing his measures Of folly, but by affecting
contempt for them-to drrogatc from his
character for worth or sense. when nothing
can he alleged against it-thcsc acts can
only rccoil upon upon those who use them.
by disgusting the right-mindcd, even of the
same political persuasion with the press or
speaker who descends 10, or cannot rise above
them.
We are now upon the eve of the first So
rious political contest in Virginia, which has
occurred for some ycars-indeed, the Skin
mishing has been already begun. 1t is pain
full to observe that, even now before the heat
Of the conflict can palliate any degree Of reck-
lc-sncSs in means the work of personal de
traction seems 10 have been Systematically
begun. These remarks may he applicable
more or less to both sidc.-thcy are designed
~ II criticism upon this mischief wherever
found, or by whatever partisan pcrpetrated.
They arc thrown out by a lover of fair play
and good or,ler-who has faith enough i'll the
intelligence and good taste Of a great ma orr
" of the people to believe. that theirOplnlonS
ofpublir men and public measures. can be
materially Influenced only by arguments and
facts--yet who fears that the influence of the
public press may De great enough, even to
lower the tone of the publctast to the point
of relishing detractiun and bitterness, Tor
their own sake Ancwspapcr could be nam
ed (out of Virginia) whose success is mourn,
full illustration Of this. 1t is To be hoped
that no print in Virginia, would seek such
bad cmincnce-nor find it's interest, either
pecuniary or political, hy such paths
| LyachbuTg IiJyiujan.