Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-10-10
MISCELLANEOUS.
rom the New York Evening Journal, Oct. 3.

From the New York Evening Journal, Oct s.
LAW LrnEL-The liberty of the press, in 9TH
words, the right of free discussion, is a sube ct
that should interest not those alone who write and
dispute, but those who read aud listen. 1t is a
matter OF universal moment-espcCiayw with peo-
pie who profess to live under government of laws
made by thcmsclves-of laws which but the
results Of popular opinion, formed by the exercise
of this privilege of spea king and publishing.
We have before two publications of recent
origin, in which find embodied much very val
liable information, tending to illustrate the doctrine
which we, n republican people, pretend to vene-
ratc--thc doctrine that the tongue and the press
should be left perfectly uncontrollcd-ihat the ut
terance of error should be tolerated. where
truth is also at liberty to blazon its counteracting
light. To many of the fastdious members
OF our national community, we conscious that
this doctrine is excessively Notwithstanding to
carry with it Il bold and startling opposition to
those principles upon which they rely for political
neutrality-suspicious. for eternal happiness. But
such is the constitution Of human mind that no one
will deny the importance of fruth-nO one will
question that in its discovery consists the highest
felicity of mankind. How then shall this beside
ratum he reached, but by open and unrestricted cx-
animation! Let the truth prevail should be every
| honest mans maxim. In what way shall the dis
junction between truth and error be discovered, but
| by the exercise of free discussion?
With regard TO the work of DIR. Cooper. his opin-
IONS respecting the liberty of the press seem to
have their foundation in the political writings of
Milton, Collins, Hume, Chesterfield Gordon Hell
vetius, and countless others of more modern times
who have maintained that error cannot be DESTROY
ed by compelling it to silence, and reason must n :
tnatcly triumph in all unrestraned controversies.
Ills views in relation to freedom of conscience
similar to those of Turgot, Goodwin, Price Vol
tairc, and those of the same school, who contend
mat no subject is too sacred for free examina-
ton. Whatever may be thought of the authors
opinions, touching pclitcs, or theology, we can
safely say that his book contains fund of inforna
t'1n' ana an array OF authorities that must be pc
culiarly useful TO the legal practitioner and should
be IN possession of all who feel themselves in any
way interested in the establishment of right under
standing of the law of libel.
The trial of Goblet was very singular affair
The Report before us was probably drawn nm
by himself; it cout2ins, besides other matter the
speeches OF the Attorney Cen, and Of Cobbctt who
conducted his own defence. It will be rccollccfed
That the defendant discharged by reason of
thc disagreement Of the jury. I'm his defence nc
I1shcs his prosecutors with an unsparinr hand
Having, in all probability aided very mate
rally by his writings, in procuTinr the r,re
sent ascendaucy Of the Wings. il would seem hat
he expected at their hands the utmost federation
TINS was natural for him to anticipatc-thoupb
equally natural for them to withhod for the exercise
OF gratltudc,in most cases is altogether incousis
.onl with the acquisition Of political power. Tho
result of this trial goes to the establish
mcnt Of several important legal principles
and on this account is instructive TO the profos
s'aaI man--ihc general reader also will derive
much entertainment from IFS perusal.
The works to which We have referred arc these.
J. Treatise on the Law of Libel and the Liberty
Of She Press; showing the origin, use, and abuse
OF the Law Of Libel, &C. &c. bv Thomas Coopar
resident Of Columbia College, :. CO. A Rcporf
1i the Trial Of William Goblet in the Cont Of
Ni,hg.s heuch London-for the publication Of an
Iieccd libel upon the government Of Great Britain
nc former Is published by G.. +. Hopkins g. Son |
~ Nassau street, and the latter by MIR DoyIc. II
b'ocrty street, in this city.