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Editorial
July 27, 1793
National Gazette
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
What is this article about?
A correspondent defends the constitutional right of the people to discuss public measures and officers via the press. Warns of schemes by gentlemen to abridge this liberty through threats or bribes to newspapers. Urges public vigilance to maintain an impartial press, ending with a poetic praise of the press as a tool for truth.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
[From a Correspondent.]
The liberty of the press, the right of discussing public measures, and the conduct of public officers in their official capacities, is a right the people have expressly reserved to themselves in their Constitutions.
There are, I am told, a set of gentlemen very busily engaged at this time in laying schemes to abridge this liberty, either by menacing the conductors of such newspapers as do not suit their palates; or by throwing to others a sop, so as to keep up a good understanding, in case of necessity.
It rests with the public to keep an eye upon the conduct of their typographical servants, and see that the Press continues in this country what it ought to be, no respecter of persons:—
O sacred weapon! let for Truth's defence,
Best scourge of folly, vice, and insolence;
Still be thy powers to honest hands consigned.
No Treasuries rule thee—and no Jesuits guide.
The liberty of the press, the right of discussing public measures, and the conduct of public officers in their official capacities, is a right the people have expressly reserved to themselves in their Constitutions.
There are, I am told, a set of gentlemen very busily engaged at this time in laying schemes to abridge this liberty, either by menacing the conductors of such newspapers as do not suit their palates; or by throwing to others a sop, so as to keep up a good understanding, in case of necessity.
It rests with the public to keep an eye upon the conduct of their typographical servants, and see that the Press continues in this country what it ought to be, no respecter of persons:—
O sacred weapon! let for Truth's defence,
Best scourge of folly, vice, and insolence;
Still be thy powers to honest hands consigned.
No Treasuries rule thee—and no Jesuits guide.
What sub-type of article is it?
Press Freedom
What keywords are associated?
Press Liberty
Freedom Of Press
Public Oversight
Threats To Newspapers
Constitutional Rights
What entities or persons were involved?
A Set Of Gentlemen
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Defense Of Press Liberty Against Abridgment
Stance / Tone
Advocacy For Press Freedom And Public Vigilance
Key Figures
A Set Of Gentlemen
Key Arguments
The People Reserved The Right To Discuss Public Measures And Officers In Their Constitutions.
Gentlemen Are Scheming To Abridge Press Liberty By Menacing Or Bribing Newspapers.
The Public Must Oversee Printers To Keep The Press Impartial And Independent.