Page:Political Writings of Leggett, v1.djvu/9

 PREFACE

I N preparing for the press a selection of the writings of W ILLIAM L EGGETT it is proper to state the precise object which has been had in view.&emsp;The wish of his friends is to re-publish such of his writings as will give a true picture of the mind and character of the man whom they so much lament; and in discharging the duty confided to me I have endeavoured faithfully to carry out this idea.&emsp;To do this, however, it has not been thought necessary or desirable to revive and perpetuate the temporary controversies, in which the editor of a newspaper becomes almost inevitably entangled; and therefore, although many of the pieces of this class were, at the time they appeared, among those which attracted the most attention, they have, with few exceptions, been excluded from these volumes. But beyond this I have omitted nothing on account of its peculiar character, and have re-published all those articles from the P LAINDEALER, and E VENING P OST while under the management of Mr. Leggett, which will give the most vivid idea of the vigour of his style, the originality of his mind, and the force and independence of his character.