New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-01-31
p~.,,.,ns,, IN MARYLAND.

nal edited by DR.. J. h SEoO"fA'' HAu ue'S'S
mainly to Literature and News On the subject OF
Slavery !, has ventured to speak with considerable
f-sodom but in tone Of moderation which until re-
Gently has saved il from open attack lis influence
has been greatly feared but such has been the Eoi'
or's prudence that the Supporters OF slavery '"'e
no, been able to find any tangible GROUNDS 'o'
as;lino him. Lately however. ne Puonsneo Ne
soo.cb sa,;vered in this City by Casslus NJ. C'ay'
.,o sunoorers OF the patrarchai lnsti'otioh
- ,r,,a,Iv offended and one of their number IN
',es.d nm the 81 s, inst preamble and resolution
~ oa;ss,ure. setting forth that he had violated
law passed in 1895, against incendlary ppoica-
,ons and calling upon the Governor to institute sucn
Legal proceedings against him as might be necessa'
~ IN abate his paper nuisance On the 2'd the
resolution was amended and passed In the following
form:
p..o,,,d b ,bs General Assembly Of Maryland That
he AtorncT. General Of the state OF ana oe anu
IA herebv authorized and requested n MS d
L odsraes the editor OF newspaper called the Satur-
d Fyennp Visiter other editor OF any other new d
or IN The State Of Maryland or any other person mas
p,.d any of the provisions Of the act Of 1875 CO. 49,
~ eli the attention Of the Judicial tribunals OF the state
10 me subject and institute such proceedings ss may
be necessary 20 bring the offenders TO thai ana
ner..
il the feature which first arrests our attention II
is the business of the Legislature to enact laws
leaving their execution TO another department VI Tue
government Slavery, however, In the estimaton
If ;,s supporers at least requires the violation oil
this ga well az of other sound governmental princ
pies. The utterly arcical character OF the resoiu-
ton IL not less apparent than its Inconsistency with
those principles which all legislative bodies are
bound 10 regard as sacred. What does II DO or pro
pose 10 do 1t simply authorizes and requests the
Attorney General to perform that which II the facts
assumed be true he was previously bound 10 do by
his oath of Office We do not perceive that that OIL
duties are aected one way or the other by such
resolution though il may have the effect to induce
him to violate the spirit OF the la" by insttutns az
unjust action against an innocent man. IL Dr.
Snodgrass had really violated the law In question
tho defenders of Slavery would not have ieit 1t ne
cessary 10 ask the Intervention of the Legislature
and public opinion would not have been slow IN de-
ruaudiug his trial and punishment. His innocence
made i, necessary that the Attorney General shouid
be furnished with extraordinary grounds Tor BRING
inc an action. and the aid Of the Legislature was
therefore invoked.
Ihe resolution we pciiCNe ha7 iio' ~ oeS'-
upon in the Senate, and we hope for the honor OF
the State that it will be rejected by that body Dr.
snodgrass sent respectful memorial asking to be
hoard in his own defe nee and Offering TO show from
the files of his paper that the charge against him was
unfounded He has also issued defence OF himself
in an Extra of the yisiter which is now before us
We are gratiied to perceive that he takes bold
md independent stand for the Freedom OF the Press
He says:
Whatever issue may await me, shall hold myself
fully prepared it, Not aware that nave vloaleu
sny law OF Maryland and conscious OF the rectitude OF
my public course. cannot consent TO be eltner oueo
from the path of duty by the denuncatons OF men utter
" incapable of approaching the motives or deeds oil less
selfish men or deprived OF my rights. contrary 10 Ine
guarantees of the Constitution under which hvc ne
Liberty of Speech and Of the Press shall ever hnd ID
me the sncerest of defenders while Tyranny IN all lts
forms NAV ever expect encounter the most uny,eId
ing opposition These sentiments, beg the reader 20
believe are uttered with the calm determination Of set
tied uurpose never give while the momentous
issues between Virtue and Vice, Truth and Falsehood
Freedom and Slavery calling so urgently Tor tue pest
exertions OF all earths true.hearted sons
One benefit al least will accrue from this move
ment |, will teach the North what sort of publica
tons are regarded by the friends of Slavery as In
cendiary and the lesson we hope will not fall upon
indifferent or stless ears. Whether an institution
is worthy Of preservation or can even be saieiy
its perpetuity the suppression OF such speech as
;ha; recently made here by Mr.. Clay. let men OF
candor and integrity Judge