The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-01-09

proper subject of discussions any farther than this
is n warfare, without provocaton or justice, upon
the dearest interests of society.
Free discussion is the main prop of our Govern
ment. Destroy thisrght and you weaken the whole
fabric and unhingo the physical and moral energies
Of the nation Restrain the freedom OF speech and
the press and you open the door to despotsm and
invite Its entrance. Establish tho doctrine that
when the violence Of the mob makes it unsafe to
publish our sentiments, we should withhold and
make resistance, and you consent 10 the reign OF
arlstocracy and should be prepared to sound the
death llnell of American liberty republican gov
ernmcnt secures to all its subjects certain inaliena-
BILE rights; and their character and influence are
public property, so far these affect the nation or
individuals These rights arc not acknowledged by
despotc governments. Despotism and ignorance
are twin brothers and mutually support each other
In such governments the progress Of reform must
be gradual and, to be permanent, knowledge, vir
tue and repubcanism must go hand in hand, on
terms of the most perfect friendship and intimacy
denial OF the freedom of speech or the press would
weaken, il not destroy, the tender germ of Ropub
canism, shut out the light of knowledge from the
mind and cherish spirit of aristocracy But free
exercise of The right of speech and the press, would
multiply the elements of democracy and defend it
from the encroachments ofinjustice and tyranny.
A republican government has nothing to fear
from an investigation of the principles upon which
its institutions founded. If any of Its civil, po
itical or re gous institutions have become corrupt
ed or are based upon false principles; discussion
oftheir merits is necessary to elevate and purify
their character But let these defects and corrup-
tons be kept out Of sight and what chance is there
of reform, either in individual character national
government. Let the freedom of speech and the
press he denied and what chance is there to detect
and defeat the insurrectionary schemes of discon-
tented and aspiring politicians: Grant that these
institutions already corrupt, an examination Of
their merits is the first step towards reform; and
however humiliating 1t may be to expose their or-
rors, the work should be undertaken and carried
| forward with frmness and perseverance. An at.
tempt to conceal any defect that may be connected
with the civil, political religious institutions of
country is little better than open rebellion and tends
to anarchy and confusion. Despotic governments
fear discussion. Darkness and ignorance are the
foundation of their authority. The light of science
and religion is hostile to their interests and the less
it is disse animated and fell, the more permanent are
such governments. Democratic governments, on
the contrary, founded virtue and intelligence
Free discussion is the life and soul fther existence
1t deveopes the mental and moral character to
high degree of excellence binds together the diver
sitied interests Of its different institutions and eX
poses to open view the enemies that may be plot
ting its destruction, 1t frowns upon the man who
would weaken It's national resources corrupt til,
morals and manners of its subjects. 1t gives warn
ing Of the approach of an enemy and suggests the
most proper means of defence. 1t strikes out new
paths to wealth and glory and makes new and i'm
portant discover in the and sciences TO ben
eft mankind. In short, it places before the nation
al council the example Of other nations, traces the
history from their origin to their downfall and notes
the that have given them an elevated char
acter and hurled them into chaos and ruin.
Lyndon, Dec 30, 1887. y