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256 the public against such fatal mistakes as frequently occur here, but it also shuts the door against the swarms of nostrum dealers, which in this country is wide open.

The American governments often manifest a disposition to favor quackery, and allow the largest liberty to impostors and humbugs of all sorts; and some of the States have, at different times, made large appropriations in money to aid quack institutions. This state of public opinion is believed to arise chiefly from a morbid impression made by newspaper publications. Such publications tend also to outrage common decency, debauch the public mind, and corrupt the sentiments and manners of the people. The same paper that brings the President's Message, or other important information, on one page, exhibits on another the most indecent advertisements—cures for numerous female complaints, also for certain private disorders of both sexes. Modesty is ignored and chastity is mocked at—the thoughts become depraved—the passions are excited, and libertinism is the consequence. The marriage contract, once held sacred and