402 GOVERNMENT, LAWS, [PART II. 



that is all. And, if they were of a nature so 

 grave as for the exposure of them to give the 

 parties pain, the exposure would be useful, as a 

 warning to others. 



419. Amongst the persons whom I have 

 heard express a wish, to see the press what 

 they called free, and at the same time to extend 

 the restraints on it, with regard to persons in 

 their private life, beyond the obligation of adhe 

 rence to truth, I have never, that I know of, 

 met with one, who had not some powerful 

 motive of his own for the wish, and who did not 

 feel that he had some vulnerable part about 

 himself. The common observation of these 

 persons, is, that public men are fair game. Why 

 public men only ? Is it because their wicked 

 ness and folly affect the public? And, how 

 long has it been, I should be glad to know, 

 since bad example in private life has been 

 thought of no consequence to the public? The 

 press is called " the guardian of the public 

 " morals;' but, if it is to meddle with none of 

 the vices or follies of individuals in private life, 

 how is it to act as the guardian of the morals of 

 the whole community? A press perfectly free, 

 reaches these vices, which the law cannot reach 

 without putting too much power into the hands 

 of the magistrate. Extinguish the press, and 

 you must let the magistrate into every private 



