yiil ON THE MORAL POWER OF THE PRESS. 



party) has been li«^hted and held up by the local periodical 

 press to the professed friends of improvement; but, unfortunately, 

 procrastination proved the death of good intentions; the timely 

 oil was withheld ; the o])portunity lost ; and, after the discredit 

 and discouragement of failure, not likely to be for years, if ever, 

 regained. 



The Platonic dreams of human perfectability render many 

 most worthy men dissatisfied with practical advantages. The 

 press cannot realize a golden age, nor altogether free the nation 

 from misconceptions, errors, and the heated struggles of adverse 

 parties in politics and religion. Man is a creature of imperfection, 

 and all his projects and works, however anxiously and laudably 

 studied, must, in some degree, partake of his imperfect nature. 

 Tiiere are serious evils in every state and condition, which it is 

 our duty to endeavour to amend ; but which no legislation, how- 

 ever pure and wise, can wholly remedy. Where the free press 

 is temperately and firmly used, with enlarged views and a sincere 

 desire to promote the public good and contribute to the general 

 harmony, its influence, as in this country, produces the most salu- 

 tary effect. This truth is not controverted by the misfortune that 

 the powerful machine is far too frequently misapplied. Although, 

 generally speaking, the laws are admitted to be defective in some 

 points, and are liable to abuse, they have been for some years 

 in a course of improvement ; in no country is personal liberty- 

 more secure, or the law more respected. In a great trading 

 nation, where the principle of gain is the main spring of manu- 

 factures, and the excitement to successful speculation, the 

 temptations to indirect practices for the increase of profits and 

 rapid accumulation of fortune, must occasionally occur ; but the 

 name of a British merchant is held in the highest credit and 

 honour in every foreign market. Wealth and luxury have intro- 

 duced a latitude in morals, in certain fashionable circles; but 

 the splendid and accomplished British aristocracy rise high, in 

 comparison with the most distinguished and accomplished of the 

 same class on the continent. Open profligacy is infrequent and 

 the observances of religion are devoutly attended to by the 

 great majority of the people. There is no nation so ready to 

 assist the distressed, or so distinguished for the number of public 

 charities, alms-houses for decayed age, infirmaries, and hospitals. 

 This truly Christian feature of the British character is so known 

 and eulogised abroad, that foreign countries suffering to a great 

 extent by conflagrations, tempests, earthquakes, famine, or other 

 calamitous visitations of Providence, generally turn their eyes to 

 !England for compassionate aid, and are not often disappointed. 

 During the late legislative reforms, the deep interest manifested 

 by all ranks, sects, and persons of different opinions, evinced a 

 zeal for the public welfare highly honourable to the times. 

 When such intense discussions are conducted without personal 

 animosities, violence, or an infraction of the laws, they cannot 

 but be productive of happy results. 



