The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

On the 31st of this month two years will have elapsed since the first appearance of the National Intelligencer.

During this period much has occurred abroad to awaken curiosity, and much at home to excite interest. The intrinsic importance of the events that have occurred has necessarily and properly produced these effects. It had been well for the national character, if other effects had not accompanied them. Unfortunately for the peace of society, party violence has burst forth with unbridled fury, and threatens to prostrate the brightest talent and purest virtue of the community.

The transfer of power from one set of men, governed by certain political principles, to another set of men guided by different principles, has kindled a resentment that prescribes to itself no limits; and too many of our presses, administering to its gratification, are filled with the basest and lowest detraction.

Under these circumstances it becomes the Editor of the National Intelligencer openly and distinctly to assign the rules of his conduct; rules which he has found no reason to abandon, and which it is not probable he will ever relinquish.

Believing the freedom of speech and of the press to be one of the great bulwarks of our liberties, it has been and shall be vigorously sustained. That freedom consists in the temperate discussion of all principles and measures on which the general happiness depends. While, on the one hand, it holds no principle too sacred for examination, it forbids all personal slander and vulgar language.

The National Intelligencer, therefore, has not, and will not enter into personal warfare with any wretch who by his crimes has abandoned himself to infamy, nor will it, elated with editorial consequence, make the nation the theatre of the petty feuds of hostile prints. Such falsehoods and follies will be left to their own fate. On the contrary detraction will be discountenanced, and the plain language of truth, whenever it shall be thought necessary, shall put down the slanderer.

Believing that our happiness essentially depends upon a republican government, and that such government is alike susceptible of abuse and improvement, whatever increases a love and respect for it, whatever tends to destroy its abuses or promotes its amelioration shall be admitted.

Believing that the measures of the late administration tended to draw into dispute the republican system by incorporating numerous and dangerous abuses, which were calculated with great rapidity to hurry us into the common vortex of ruined nations, those measures have been held up to public opinion as unworthy of imitation; while the measures of an administration, zealously attached to the republican system, and resolutely bent on keeping this country apart from foreign connection, have been enforced as the spring of a wise and honest policy.

These measures are well known to the readers of the National Intelligencer, with the arguments urged as well in their opposition as support. Since the establishment of the paper, every document of importance has been given, and the debates of the legislature at a length which, it is believed, is unparalleled. Nor will the malice of party ascribe to them a want of rigid impartiality.

From this exposition, it will be seen that the Editor does not claim an exemption from decided political convictions. However the recluse student may shroud himself in apathy, the citizen of a generous republic, in the midst of the political scene, must have little sensibility and less patriotism not to embrace with zeal one side or the other. If he believe the general happiness to depend upon the republican system, if he believe that system to depend upon the unimpaired enjoyment of peace, upon the moderation of taxes, and if he believe that the men now in power will insure these effects, while those in opposition would mar them, can he be indifferent? No fellow citizens, while we are moderate let us be vigilant; while we limit ourselves to truth, let us embrace that truth with zeal; and while we desire the happiness of our opponents let us take care of our own.

So long as the National Intelligencer is conducted on these principles, it may, without presumption, claim the support of the enlightened patriot. That support it already possesses in an eminent degree. But an extended subscription, while it rewarded the Editor, would enable him to improve the plan of the Paper, and to enlarge the sphere of its usefulness. Under this impression, and with this view the Editor requests the person, who shall receive the accompanying newspapers, to obtain as many subscribers as shall be in his power, on one condition, which experience has proved to be indispensable, the actual payment by each subscriber of five Dollars in advance.