5984. NEWSPAPERS, Vulgar.—
I deplore
with you the putrid state into which
our newspapers have passed, and the malignity,
the vulgarity, and mendacious spirit
of those who write for them. * * * These
ordures are rapidly depraving the public
taste, and lessening its relish for sound food.
As vehicles of information, and a curb on
our functionaries, they have rendered themselves
useless, by forfeiting all title to belief.
This has in a great degree been produced
by the violence and malignity of party
spirit.—
To Dr. Walter Jones. Washington ed. vi, 284.
Ford ed., ix, 446.
(M.
Jan. 1814)
