The North-Carolina standard., 1847-02-24
FREEDOM OF THE Dress

1" WhateVer aspect the recent expulsion OF
Thomas Rltchie from the floor of the Senate may
De viewed, we cannot but regard it as great and
alarming blow at the freedom of the press. The
charge In the Resolution Of expulsion is that the
Editors OF the Union had published public
libel" upon the Senate, the alleged "public libel "
being contained in Communication in that pa
per. The Constitution of the United States de-
clares that IN all criminal prosecutions the ac-
cused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public
trial by an impartial jury" A libel is criminal
offence, within the jurisdiction of the Courts, and
the man charged with it is entitled to trial by
jury. But what was done by the Senate in this
case2 That body first assumed that 4" public
libel" had been uttered against it il then erected
itself into a tribunal for the purpose of sitting in
its own cause and the next step it takes is to pro-
nounce judgment against citizen, with the view
of degrading that citizen in the estimation of the
country Was there any TRIAL in this case2 Did
the accused have the benefit of counsel and wit
nessess 2 Was he confronted by his accusers, and
warned that he must defend himsef2 No. He
was struck at without being heard, and in his per-
son the Constitution of the Republic was lrampled
under foot and not only that but the freedom OF
the press, the bulwark of public liberty and the
only sure and true friend of the people in this
country, was attempted to be cloven down. 1t is
in vain that the Federalists and the friends of
Messrs. Calhoun, Yuee, Butler, and Wescottt re-
ply, that the Senate had a right to expel Mr.
Richie from its Chamber: the fact that the Reso-
luton was intended as a punishment covers the
whole ground, and convcts them of an attempt to
muzzle free press 1t is a revival of the old
scdition lato of black-cockade federalism, and it
will be marked as such by the people of this coun-
try. In that day the sedition law went down be-
meath the eXrcrations Of all honest and patriotic
men and in this day the same fate awaits the
same doctrine and the same course of conduct
We present to our readers the Communication
which appeared in the Union, and for the publ-
cation of which the Editors were expelled from
the Senate:
The floor of Congress is another section of
the field of conflict There the cause of Mexico
is maintained with zeal and ability there The sup
plies of men and money are attempted TO be with
held (; there the sympathies of federalism are in
voked in their behalf; there the war is branded
with every abusive epilhet, and the President of
our country, who has successfully vindicated
It's honor by his pen, and before whose vigorous
arm the invading enemy has fed into his strong
hold, is denounced as a bloody tyrant and muir
derer. The halls of State legislation also, far
as Massachusetts and North Carolina are concern
ed, exhibit similar scenes there the Me:ric0n
cause has triumphed We confess the disgrace
full fact
dav, the Mexicans achieved another victory. The
b ill for organizing regiments of regular troops
having been submitted, with its amendments, to
committee Of conference of the two Houses, that
was submitted to them for their approval. The
House OF Representatives at once adopted the re-
port by very large majority. In the Senate II
was, in IIs most important feature, rejected by a
distinguished Senator from Georgia exhibited
the most marked tokens of exultation. IL is the
same Senator who urges a withdrawal of our
my from the Mexican territory
''If Santa Anna, AmpudIa, any other Mex
ican General, could snatch from soldiers
corresponding victory, we should place them upon
the same elevation where their comParios, friends,
and (eow-soldiers in the Senate of the United
States stand.
GAS the friends of the United States have, on
this occasion, sustained defeat, and the PresI-
dent been deprived of ten thousand regulars, |
should earnestly advise him to throw himself into
the hands of the people, invoke their love Of coun-
try, call out the remainder Of the volunteers, and
inevitable success will attend him.
As for the public will in this country, 1t points
TO a war 10 the knife if necessary, ample iDdemni
ly IN the euemy's territory, and no ndn,by
p0mby talk about desire for peace We want
reParaon for the past, and security for the future
aud we viii. have them. VINDIcAToR"
The same day on which this motion for expul-
sion made, the Senate retraced their steps,
and the Army bill is now law. So majority
Of the Senate virtually expelled Mr.. Richie for
having lashed them up 10 performance OF their
duty
For the Senate of the United States we have
always been accustomed TO entertain feelings Of
the most profound and sincere respect. That
body might become the loftiest and the purest in
the world, and inspire in all hearts not only re-
s2ect, but veneration but misdirected ambition,
and the rage for Presidcnt-making, and malice,
and revenge, have gone up to its "privileged
seats, and the people, and the wants of a bleeding
country have been forgotten by Senators. who
had time and inclination only, we fear, to think
of themselves. 1t is true that they hold their
seats for six years, and some of them in defiance
of Instructions, and they are chosen, not by the
people directly, but by the Legislatures of the
States bnt after ALL tile people are their masters,
and will hold them, in due time, to strict accoun-
liability.
We are proud to find that Thomas Richie is
sustained and appIauGed: in all quarters. by the
people of the country; and us a matter of justice
to that pure and venerable champion of popular
rights as we'll as to the course which we have
pursued in this matter. we lay before our readers
The following extracts from a letter from one of
the most distinguished Republicans of North
Carolina:
"February f8. ls47.
DEAR SfR: hasten by the first mail to ex-
press to you my cordial appreciation of the article
in the Standard of yesterday, headed " the free
dom Of the Press attacked and to offer you my
thanks for the manly and fearless stand you have
taken in behalf of the freedom of the press. In
Government constituted as is, the press be-
longs emphatically to the people--it rs their best
friend and su7est b1LuoGrk-t is the faithful sent
mel on the watchtower, TO tell out the opinions
and movements of public servants, and TO pro-
claim the first approaches of danger. 1t is in fine
zfg