Litchfield enquirer., 1846-02-19
FREEDOM OF THE PRESS.

We understand that some of our good
Wing friends, whom we are desirous ofpleaS-
ing, have taken offence at the sentiments con-
tained in certain communications heretofore
published in the Enquirer, relative TO the
action of the license commissioners in some
of the towns in this county. We have liv-
ed long enough in the world, aud been Sufti-
GENTLY conversant with newspaper publish
ing, to know that it is difficult matter to
suit the tastes, and opinions, and tempera-
ments, of cM There are some readers who
it is much more difficult to please, than 9th
erS-Some who are given to fault finding in
euery thing. We are not over ambitious to
conciliate the favor of such men. Their
would contract our
sphere of action and thinking into SLCh mar
row limits as to render our labors irksome to
ourselves and improbable to the public
For every thing we write or publish we hold
ourselves amenable to public sentiment and
to the laws under which we live; and we
are even open TO conviction, and free to re-
ceive advice. Still, We think every conduc-
tor of public journal-whatever may be its
creed-should have independence enough to
spurn dictation, from whatever source it may
emanate.
The defence of the freedom of the press,
has always been a staunch Wing doctrine,
and to it we have ever given our candid as
sent both in precept and practice. We be-
lieve in giving to our correspondents liberty
to express their oWn views ofpublic matters
even ifthcy do not precisely tally with ours
provided their communications are just
and resi- ectful to all men, and are not calcu-
lated to do injury to good words or 10 the
cause which we are laboring to build up
Some, it would seem, suppose that news
paper cannot consistently contain any other
than the precise views and sentiments of the
editor. This is not so We do not con-
ceive that the simple fact that communica-
ton contains opinions adverse to our own, is
invariably sufficient ground for its rcjec-
ton. Its insertion in our columns is not
primG faciG evidence that We endorse all
that it contains. We may give it as ex-
pressive of the writer, or Of body ofcitizens,
of our own, or of all inclusive, as the case
may he.
We lyn thi ovplo and thrcNu
these hints, not from any i'll feeling towards
any one, but simply to prevent any misar-
preheusion which might possibly arise, by
installing the sayings and sentiments Of
correspondents for those of the editor. For
any position which we may assume or opin-
ions which we may rrnmnlgate, wo hold our
selves competent to maintain and defend
HON. TRUMAN SMITHS SPEECH.
The Washington papers speak in terms
ofthe highest commendation of'hc speech
of our worthy Representative, Hon. TRu
MAN SMITH, on the Oregon gu s,ion. Thu
COLUMBIAN Fountain" temperance
paper published in that city. says
"Mr. Truman Smith, of Conn.,, who
obtained the floor last night, then com.
menced his speech. Notwithstanding the
paucity OF auditors and Formidable ex-
panse of empty seats, he started off like
q steamboat with full head of steam and
an unmeritrd small compliment of pass
engers or patronage but confiden, Of the
strength of his boiler, amount ut fuel,
completeness Of condenser, and strength
OF hull and machinery, the empty places
were soon filled by way passengers; and
he proceeded with an able and interest
ing argument against the exclusive rights
OF the United States 10 the whole Of Ore.
gon, that enchained the attention of full
house more entirely than any speaker has
been enabled 10 do for week past"
1.-THE Wilmington (Del. Journal states
Capt. Allen Partridge has commenced a
Scientific and Military Academy in flat
city.
Caution to Steamboat Capta;ns.-By a
judgment rendered in the United States Dis
trict Court yesterday, a steamboat captain
was fined $50 for violation of the Post or
flee law, having brought letter TO this city,
contrary to the late provisions passed by
Congress on this subject.
N. Y. Journal of Com.
MONUMENT TO CAPT. NATHAN HALE
The means for erecting the contemplated mon.
ument to the memory Of this youthful martyr
are progressing. The material is to be Quin-
cy granite A portion of il will be transported
to its destination, the present month. The
Old Col-ny, the Boston and the Norwich and
Worcester Rail Roads have generously deter.
mined to transport the granite from Quincy to
Norwich. free Of charge. They hope to build
during the ensuing spring. boston Eagle.
% The wires for the Magnetic Telegraph
from Philadelphia 10 this city are all put up.
but difficulty in crossing the river at Fort
Lee still exists. Experiments are now going
on for the purpose of removing these obstacles
and il they are not successful the wires will
be taken to Jersey City and depot established
there Tribune.
Singular Wild Beast Rilled.-Several hun |