State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-07-12
COMMUNICATIONS.
MR.. VAN BUREN'S VOTE AGAINST
THE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS.

The following able paper is from the
pen of Farmer. If we do not greatly
mistake the spirit of our fellow citizens, its
pure republican sentiments will find a
prompt and hearty response in the heart OF
every friend of civil liberty. We bespeak
for it a careful reading by every man who
cares for his country.
For the State Journal
Mr. Enron: When the bill for nbrdg-
inc the freedom of the Press was first in
PRODUCED into the Senate of the U. States,
il probably caused little or no surprise in
any quarter, because a knowledge of the
rash and hot temperament and the extreme
mira views of the rramer of said bill, was
coextensive with its introduction. Mr.
Calhoun, rs every body knew, had but
recently, in his mad and fiery contest in
support of the Notification doctrine, done
his utmost TO sever one of the most essen
ta ligameuts in holding together the sew
eral States which compose the Republic,
usually denominated the United States OF
North America. In addition to which, as
every body knew, he was a SHAREHOLDERS,
and like too many of his co-sIavehoIders,
subject to fits during which reason is
wholly ohscured hy the elmllitlons of pas
sion, so often MS allusion is made to PERI
cd when slavery shall cease to exist III this
land of enviablc freedom. Knowing the
man therefore as every body must have
known him. it could not have been matter
of surprise that such Bill should emanate
from such n source; and it was probably
very generally anticipated that 1t would
receive the support ofseveral OF the South
,hr holiax,inn xyitb (,nV
McDufTie. that domestic Sldreryis the very
corner stone of Republican Freedom, would
deem il the ne plus ultra of true patriotism
to demolish at blow, both the Founda-
ZION and s,Iperstructure of civil liberty,
from an apprehension that if permitted TO
remain entire, it might perchance jostle
this precious corner stone. Certain other
Senators had already given abundant proof
that a predominant constituent OF their
mental conformation was of sort Of gun
powder nature, which become instantly
. irnited by the word abolition when utter
ed by Northern lips. And with these 1t
was expected that during the period OF
combustion, every consideration of political
consistency, national benefit or constitution
al right. would be UNDECIDED and recklessly
sacrificed to the one phrenzied, soul-ab-
sorbing desire to defend an institution
peculiar to one section of the Union against
the - what? the swords and bayonets, or
the legally authorised opposition OF another
section Of the Union? . no, only against
the voice of individuals and opinions pro-
mnlgated by a few presses, having thclr
location in the latter quarter. Loose indeed
in the affections of the people, and OF
doubtful benefit, must be that institution
however ancient. which fears the attacks
of its opponents, so long as it is permitted
20 defend itself against these attacks, with
the same weapons and mode OF warfare
possessing, as it ever must, ut iehst ihe
small advantage over its assallants OF beng
enlrenched around by the authority OF pre-
scription and dastardIy must he That sp'rI
which i'm such contest should seek, OF
accept of other weapons for It's defence
but thxse welded by its Antagonist bl'
this is DEPRESSING.
Though it was expected by every bod,
that n few of the Senators from the Soull
would from causes above explained, sup
port the hill in question, 1t was not eNpec'
cd Inv every body that so large portion
of Them could by any possibility chance Il
belong 10 that class of moral beings, VIII
habitlially allow themselves to becom
distendcd by excitement and passion iron
trivial or utterly inadequate causes ; an
, what is far worse, to allow themselves |
) decide upon measures of the deepest con
: cern 10 a whole nation, and establish pm
p ciples which must from their very nature
effect the veal or woe of countless genel
atoms, while self conscious, as past d
doubt they must be, that they are IN
greater or less degree under the ln1iuenc
Of excited feelings. If the plea OF actin
tnder the influence of strong eXcitemen
.f,alist be allowed in eXtenuaton OF the mo
al turpitude of the act of voting Tor u
censorship biIl,' on the same principle Til
drunkenness was some years ago sian.
ing plea in mitigation of punishment IL
every crime commtted under its inilucuc
this very apoIosg is precisely the re@sc
WHY such men should never he trusted
high public offices. However gifted WI
all the mental requisites for the torlnatlo
OF statesmen, however deeply versed
the practical details of governmental allan
however pure their morals in the social I
ln,ious of life, vet this most unhappy M
most dangerous iniirmlty of beng snpje
10 high and protracted mental eXcltemel
and what must be characterized by
stronger name than infirnity, the prnctI
of deciding upon matters OF the hlgn'
import, while conscious that the paro"ls
is upon them, ought to be considered as
: absolute disqualification for all Offices
volving legislative, administrative, or Ju'
cal responsibility.
II it was matter of surprise that so lar
portion Of the Southern Senators Shot
tender upon the altar of their unholly pi
sions that mos indispensable Ingredient
genuine Democracy and true Liberty-t
freedom of the Press, what was the ana1
men,, almost the dismay, of every Anne