Baton-Rouge gazette. [volume] (Baton-Rouge, La.) 1819-1856, 1843-12-30


exhibitions are annually becoming more
and more attractive. and that they are by
no means Inefficient ID increasing the
trade Of the city. But, over and above
all considerations Of dollars and cents, let
us, one and all, come forward and enrol
or names as members Of this association,
which represents the great agricultural IN.
terest OF the state, and which should be
the pride and ornament of its metropolis.
AMERICAN PRISONERS AT VAN
LANDAU a public meeting Of the citizens
of Chester, Vermont, November "a, Geo
Sutherland made an Address, and it was re-
solved that the President bf the United States
respectfully requested to direct the diplomatic
agent Of our country at the Court OF st.
lanes to ask the British Government the re-
lease Of the American citi zens, now prisoners
in the hands Of that Government at Van Die
mans Land, and that they be returned to
their cou nlry and friends.
We like to see such remarks as the follows
ing. The subject complained Of IS one oil the
most bold and daring attempts TO destroy the
freedom Of the Press, for the purpose OF pro-
tecting the dishonest and intriguing creditor
in his attempt at fraud
Tur Pass or LouIsfAsA.--The following
remarks from the Louisiana Courier, mus
strike every one with force; and for their
trut},fulpess, the present condition ofthings
in Louisiana, speaks, volumes. LOOK around
mon the position oftthe country journals oil
the State, and it wilFbe seen that the misera'
bic tinkering of a body of men unacquainted
with. or not studying the true Interests OF the
communities they 50 miserably misrepreseni
have so h~umbugged Legislative action as &c
rob the Press of a portion of that support tt
which it is entitled, which its Importance de
mands, aud which the people were Away;
willing and ever ready most generously to ex'
tend towards 1t.
The interference with the Press OF the state,
by The Legislature, was unauthorized by tle
people, and uncalled for by any reasonable
man-it originated in a spirit OF penny mum
bue ecoaomy, which has neither sense nor rea
son to support it and the originators OF I'M
grand modern scheme of saving 10 the people
are the perv men who, of all others, would be
the last to allow any Interference with thell
pnrsuits-the first to frown and scoff at any
man who would dare attempt TO FIX a price
mon their professional services. They are, In
most instances, ignorant of the wishes oil TIL
neople in relation to this matter, upon which
thew have in this unauthorized manner at
tempted to legislate, and have by this exhibi
ton Of their gross ignorance of the wishes OF
the people, robbed the Ptess-that engine o.
usefulness-ihe lever Of Public Opinion-o
lis energy and e~xertion in unfolding the re
sources OF he State, in making known its un
surpassed advantages in all points OF view
and in aiding in the elevation OF characte
and sentiment so necessary to the well being
and prosperity of a free people.
"For years past, there has been, on the par
of our Legislature, too much tinkering witt
the press-too much meddling with the leglil
mate business of printers, and the mode an
price of advertising. We would ask the scor'
of LAWYERS who annually meet in the Legisia
ture, what the gentlemen OF the bar wouit
think, were an act passed to set a price OF
their pleadings and advice; particularly If tn
working of the law should be undertaken b,
illiterate men, wholly unable to appreciate
the preparatory. studies, which are a sine gu
non for liberal professions. And yet this il
precisely what has been done, or attempted
with printing-an art wnich Franklin pro
nounced TO be p~erservative of all arts. Th'
question of a few dollars and cents, more o
less. has been allowed TO usurp the place, t
stiae the only laudable enquiry In the moutl
of the true friends to Louisiana; Chow shall
we foster and encourage our local p~ressesI
presses that may shew the very age and body
of The times, and give force and effect TO ina
public opinion, which acts, when well ant
truly directed, like. the voice of the Omnipo
tent"