Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1843-11-18
RESPONSIBILITY OF EDITORS.

The lntiiCtIOn OF COTporeal cnaSuseineDt
upon conductors of political journals, as
redress of real or supposed injuries, seems
to have grown of late into fearful epidem-
ic. The usual method of obtaining salts
faction, in such cases, by an appeal TO the
existing law tribunals, seems TO have been
abandoned and weapons of a more formld-
able character are in vogue. 1t is quite
common, in these days, to hear of violent
personal assaults committed upon this or
the other editor, whilst quietly enjoying the
rcpose of his sanCtum, by some inccnsed
rufan, who fances he observes in his re-
rmarks some personal reflection upon his
own conduct. The custom has been, when
a politician deemed himself wronged by
newspaper first Of all to seek the conduc-
tor, inquire into the real meaning of his
comments-seek to convict him of his err
ror, if he has committed one-and obtain
from him the amcnde honorable. if he has
done that which he ought not to have done.
If all these quiet appliances failed, which
was rarely the case, then the next step
would be to hold the offender to accounta-
bility by direct appeal TO courts and lu-
RIGS. But these peaceful alternatives seem
wholly unsui,ed to the bellgcrcnt aspect Of
the times, and have become wotully unfash-
ionable of late. Now, a paper has no
sooner issued from the press, than its con-
ductor stands in imminent peril of having
his coat busted by a too liberal application
of the raw-hde; unless as it sometimes
| happens, the editor can both fgt and write,
and possess the requisite physical strength
to eject his assaiant, sans CeremOnie, from
the premises he has invaded These en-
counters have not untrequentIy produced
scenes of such absolute rough-and tumble-
ism, that even pair of Polar bears might
be made to hang their heads for shame, if
caught by respectable animals engaged in
such ungentlemanIy exercises.
That the course of many editors is well
calculated to excite acrimonious conflicts,
and provoke "breachcs of the peace" we
do not pretend to controyert. There are
those in the craft, who, by their excuses,
keep society in a continual broil. and whose
merciless invective brings moral desolation
to the hearths of not only single individuals,
but of entire families. Hence uncOnduiOn-
al freedom Of the press would be moral
pestience that no rational being could de-
sire. Social order and security would alike
declam against it as an evil of inconceiv.
able magnitude. The right Of proclaiming
to the world our opinions, like every other
social right, must have its prescribed limits,
and the contrary has never vet discovered
an enlightened advocate. But, in arresting
the licentiousness of the press, the modern
), method of exhibiting in the sight of its
conductors such implements as revolving
pistols, unsheathed swords. raw-hides, and
d. the like, amounts to a remedy infinitely
more to be deprecated than the disease. In
S this country of laws, no such barbarism is
at all necessary. The force of our system
, of jurisprudence is wholly on the side Of
the injured. however little attractions it
may in general sense possess. The es-
sence of libel is so feebIy defined by stat
ute, and the Judge so eminently adds to his
; functions as umpire between the parties the
character Of legislator that the editor
forever occupies slippery and devious
path. He may, to be sure. indulge in dog
matte assertions, and put that forth as truth,
which remains to be proved but all person.
al invective his own sense of self-preserva-
will teach him cautiously TO avoid. In
seeking the restraint of editors, therefore,
/ proper precauton must be exercised, lest,
in Topping off the trees luxuriance, the axe
should be struck at its vitality, and decay
of the tree itself be the consequences. The
freedom of the press is benefit to man.
kind so exceedingly great that it cannot be
purchased at too high price. Hence no
resort to personal violence, such as that VIC
have been considering in order TO punish an
, editor for supposed abuse Of his privilege,
, can be received in any other light than that
of unequlvoca condemnation. Indeed
the most deplorable scenes are often the le-
climate consequence. Witness, for EXAM
pie, the case of the editor in Maryland,
who recently shot down in cold blood an
ex-mcmber of the Assembly. who had ac-
cused him of defamation, and come TO
chastse him in person. To the great mis-.
fortune of the assaant, the editor had been
apprsed Of his designs. and being fore.
warned was forearmed.' 4 repetition of
disasters of this fatal sort must be expected
if the system of dragooning editors into
passiveness be maintained. Constituted as
, they are Of the same moral and physical
elements that compose their fellow-men, it
is not to be presumed, that they will re-
ceive the lash without a resort to the Ter
tQlionis enioined by the first principles Of
! nature.-Dem. Union.
DRESS.--Here is little legend, that
may be read with profit, by many young
maidens: The oldest Of two sisters was