A Humble Attempt at Scurrility - 12
We are told, among other Things offered by Way of Excuse for the Author of the Answer not avowing his Performance, that “the subscribing political Papers has not been a common Practice either here or in the Mother Country, nor would it be a convenient One.”—What the common Practice in the Mother Country may be, with regard to political Papers, I can say nothing of my own Knowledge, as I never was there. But I look upon the Paper in question to be not so much a political as a personal Paper: Far the greatest Part of it consists of personal Reflections against Mr. F—n. Now, I am told by those who have resided in England, that it is very uncommon there to attack in Print a Person’s private Character on account of any Difference in Sentiments about publick Affairs; and that Wilkes and Churchill are almost the only Dealers in that dirty Business who have appeared there for many Years. The first of these we find, has on that Account been outlawed by King, Lords, and Commons; and the second held in Detestation by every good Man throughout the King’s Dominions. Nor can I find that the Practice was ever introduced into this Country, till the very Revd. Dr. S—h made his Appearance, and we all know what great Veneration and Esteem he has thereby acquired.—It is therefore not to be wondered at, if Persons of their Stamp should not think it convenient to be known to the Publick.
But “the Cause of Liberty (we are told) would often be left to suffer, if her Advocates were obliged to expose their Names to the Clamor of Party or the Resentment of Power.” In so glorious a Cause as that of Liberty, no Man ought to be afraid to stand forth. Those who have rendered it the greatest Services have ever been such
