The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-03-09

From the Wauenton Flag of go.
| The FREEDOM THE pREss.-lt is favorte idea with
the mpractcables in the democratic party-somemes
called the Calhoun wing-that while they condemn the
conduct of the Senate expeng the "edtors of the
Union" from the floor Of the Senate il cannot be con
sdered attack upon the freedom OF the press This is
their avowed reason for refusing to vote favor OF reso
lutions which declare this fact Now condemn the
action of the Senate mainly for this reason; and we
here again repeat that none may misunderstood U.S. our
condemnation is not for Mr. htches sake, but because
OF the sacred principles involved and violated
We find the Alexandra Gazette saying that il is a
humbug to call attack upon the freedom of the press
would probably have defended the alien and sedtion
laws; and for aught know has done ii in its past
isence Tor the paper is old one But sorry to
find the Fredericksburg Recorder fellow aborer in
the democratic in than one taking the
same ground Did that respectable Journal we ask with
Difference, fully consider the before it pronounced
The Senate of the United States in its political capaci-
tyds Senate-adjudged an article in the Union news
paper be 'a public libel" upon Memsipes and having
adudged, punished and intended to punish the editors
of that paper for the be of which they had convicted
them. Madly bent on wrong, they included the innocent
with the guilty editor in the conviction and punishment
and they about TO infct more grievous punish
ment upon the innocent reporters for the Union, which
only prevented by the defence of the reporters sent
into the Senate unasked-hey having been cited
to answer for their alleged crime. Mr.. Richie as
sumng independent attitude than they, would not
volunteer his defence, and demanded at least the forms
of fair trial. He felt ii was due TO him. before conyic
ton that he should be summoned 10 answer. and be
heard in his defence
The simple statement of the case carries conviction
the unpreudced of this proposition, that this action was
attack upon the freedom OF the press How does 1t
touch the freedom of the press Just here This harsh
and unjust action of the Senate based upon this fact
the publication OF newspaper article commenting upon
their conduct. citizen, as free they, delivers his
judgment upon the conduct OF part OF our body polite
the Senate He speaks of their conduct as body, acting
before nation of freemen who have right to discuss
It's acts In as free manner as they please.
1t is obvious that the Senate intend to say that such
lr,r
constitute ''publc lbel' upon hem and shall receive
at their hands marked censure and punishment wherev
the author or propagation OF them is in their power to
the least extent.
In order TO see more fully the force of these views let
suppose that the Senate of the United States shall
really be guilty in motive as well as act, of aiording
'aid and comfort to our enemy. Corrupt senates have
been, and LAY again be- Is not the direct tendency and
design of this action TO stop all their dependents and Off
cers-men most likely TO know the tact-rom speaking
out their knowledge and opinions? In this vew and for
these reasons the conduct Of the Senate seems to us
startling and alarming. Fieemen OF this Union, we say
look to the Senate !" Look 10 the President to that
mob, the House of Representatives - 1t is right TODD
But especially look TO the Senate the aristocra fea
ture of our government.
the nature of "Vndcaor's" article in the Union,
which called forth this censure of the Senate If
we would have hesancy in adopting its language.
| Their conductive say nothing OF their motives-we be-
lieve them innocent in this particular casetheir conduct
produced in effect Mexican victory" Every moments
delay-those precious moments spent in Mr. Ritche's
case-operated Mexican triumph" Many other acts
of the Senate strangely tended to the same result
We notice the only plausible objection which has been
urged this view OF the Ii has been said that the
Senate inflicted punishment upon the editors of the
Union !; they only took from them avor-a courtesy
which they had right TO do, with or without cause.
Has not right to turn from his door the SANDER
er of his character If So the Senate had the
troll over their chamber, and the same right to turn out
their libeller
The sophstry of this objection is too papable to need
comment What analogy Is there between mans con-
ate theirs His control over his house is absolute.
No has right TO enter without his leave, and
one has the right to obtain and retail in public what he
there hears The action Of the Senate is, and ought 10
be, under political system open to pubic observation;
and il is not only the privilege but the duty OF the cit
zens OF this republic to discuss 1t The Senate cannot at
all times close their chamber an individual does his
private house, and forbid every one to enter The people
have the right TO enter, observe and freely discuss what
bes lbs Or wr let eF
doors, without complaint Not with the Senate we
may speak and write freely what we hear in their hall
And ii would be dangerous, indeed to allow them cali
any publication "Ebel' upon them, and withdraw the
favor of an entrance by the people 10 their chamber.
1t was. no punishment Of Mr.. Rtchie only with
drawing favors. To be charged by the Senate of the
United States. in the face of the world, with the utter
ance OF public libel" no punishment! And the
plainly against him that ii needs not to be investigated
to ascertain his guilt! tits inutreiy true. Assume it,
discuss and dissect him for two days, grave Senate
and call i w Mka Of favor Where is TIE Senaes
l
the jurisdiction Of this political body to determine what
a libel upon themselves Whence their power to
punish, even by the wthdraura Of Jaror for "publc
| libel"
The resolution was moved in the same form precisely
that it would have assumed in the of member of
the Senae--it for 'expulsion; y thus showing
that, in the judgment of the Senate, the guilt clear
the crime great, and violent remedy required. it
would have been easy to have given the esoution
another FORM that would have better counenanced this
absurd theory of withdrawal of favor The Senate,
repeat, intended and did nc upon the editor Of the
Union" punishment The more examine it, the
are convinced of the dangerous tendency their
action and that by this undenfed, illegal and revenge
full course, blow aimed at the freedom of the
press TO say otherwise, is, in opinion, attempt
humbuggery
What must the Senate do, when really lbeed' No
thing If senator is libelled, the courts of law as
open for him for other citizens If the Senate is Ii
beed let them bear with patience and dignity and
sumo no jurisdiction the offence in any Ii
y bears what the President, the House Of Representa-
tves, all legislative other bodies in this country are
compelled TO endure Public opinion alone can correct
the evil.
Hon. j. n. Ingersoll.
Mr. Ingersoll, the opposition member from the second
district made speech on the Monday last which,