Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-02-20


would certainly involve in its conseg with Mex
co; and that with Mexico might also involve a wal
about Oregon at all events prev en the settlement of
difficulties with England in reference to it, That thus
ing IT. Cen Taylor my opinion, ouahtto be stopped and
thai would lay resolution the cable calling for the order
under which he marched, and would follow it up by reso-
luton his march, prevented by the posi-
ton which occupied Of the two considered it more i'm
portant to avoid with England about Oregon than a
with Mexico. important thoughit avoid that
That important should mainan the kndest and most
friendly relations With the President, in order that should
have weight in bringing the Oregon question ami
cable settlement and that if were 10 in reference to
the order given Gem Taylor, it would, feared place me
in hostile relations 10 the Executive and destroy any weight
might have with it on the Oregon question This with
the hope that the Oregon question might be settled before
actual conflict between the forces under Gen. Taylor and
would -inly have taken move 70 aresf the
thereby the have much more to say in refer
ence to the of the war;, which must postpone until
some suitable OCCASION could state facts in relation
Oregon, but not liberty, and therefore orbear.
thank the Senate for the kindness with which it has
NAIr WESTCOTT of Florida. addressed the Senate as
| follows 1900,
Mr. The topics Iegitmatey involved in the
resolutions offered by my colleague, and those egmaely
thrust into this debate all interesting, and of them
| important
The liberty of the and meaning Of
that phrase the rights and duties of the press; the rights
and powers Of the Senate the duties and obligations of its
officers the Senate though not acting such officers but
in their private capacity the duty of those who have by the
tended Them the of those privileges, the sole
questions that these resolutions should properly have been
debated. asss8f.as s.a
But sir had the question of the Presidency
the of Texas and Oho caused the
Mexico to s'erit - this, believe the phrase -
the conduct of the Wharf.-The three million secret service money
band the exceedingly interesting and vital question what
constitutes Democracy under this
up with small quantity of pungent and spicy personality,
all foisted and must be permitted to quite rreguary
in this discussion.
Senator he Senator from Tennessee given them
eadeor least leader designated, the position pr
cpes motives aud very fatteng vocation, assigned
that supposed party and bold prophecies pomuged the
intends pursue with respect
nended by the President and in relation to the approachr
Presidential canvass.
Mr. President desire say little all these c,oics I
all of them, for notice of of them they have
been thrust upon the Senate should be omitted anv Senator
who mnges this debate, unless he wines to conceal his
position till less hazardous crisis come for expressing
his opinions.
But, only wish to say ust enough and no more than
enough to place myself eore the people Of my State and
before the country IN Zach attitude that falsehood find
apology for msrep. ese ntinp me- sa.s
Mr. Preside liberty of the press there Sena
tor on tins hoor,here citizen in the confederacy, who
more ncned educa,ion feelings strong partia
" tor the press TO uphold it in its just rights than will
state, the risk having egotsm imputed
Twas put To learn the trade under Democratic editor and
since adopted another profession, have from inclination
with political and democratic newspapers Many of the
agreeable associations have formed in life have been with
political editors and writer's My sympahies, feelings, and
paraties generally with them and shall ever trust
be found firm protecting their rghtful privileges against
0 encroachment from any quarter. -s,tasaea -i go
But while would defend the press in the fair and proper
exercise of its ighsn the full and free and liberal discus
sion of public and examination of the conduct of
public Twill not sustain when, instead Of such fair
discussion, habtualy descends to scuiy-makes defama
ton its daily vocation, and centous abuse and assault p-
vi ate Ifs fayOrI yypap of ssantt
When any press thus degrades ITSELF when it thus dis
graces the country honorable printer, every true friend
Of the profession and of the liberty Of the will not
tain such they will rebuke by censure, and If it
persists, should be avoided as affected with eprosy.
With respect to indrddi wrong sustained by anewpaper
publication Of deamatoy character, the person injured is
generally safe in the judgment Of enlightened communiy
but not he has full remedies in the criminal and
civil suit given hmby the laws Of the country LariduaB,
whatever their official position should be left 10 seek redress
under the laws. No officer of the Government, neither the
President any member of Congress- head OF de-
pamen oughtto have for any that be urged any
different remedy than the poorest and humbes citizen the
land No sdon law like that of 9s be necessary
or proper, even II was constitutional Whenever shall
be for the protection of such functonaries from
by the press the people will have become degraded that
they will be fit subjects for despotc Government An
lghtened and liberal public opinion will sustain public
funcionares against unjust assaults Party spirit may for
while prevent full justice being done, but eventually when
calm and cool reflection eawaken those feelings Of liberal
confidence which every honest wishes have in his
fellow man, truth will resume control
The old common law is ample afford full redress for bes
personal reputation Some of the statesmen and ju
sts of this country have deemed of its rules
stringent and restricted to harmonic with free and liberal
institutions II does not allow the truth be given in
al dence justification in criminal prosecution and indeed
one of the maxms is said of the English law is
the greater the truth the greater the libel In many of the
States the law Of England this subject has either
been wholly repudiaed modified. The freedom Of the
press has been guaranteed in all of them by provisions in their
constitutions fundamental laws The federal constitution
declares that Congress shall pass law sabrdging the
freedom of the press In several Of the declared
that the truth may always be given evidence jusca
ton the trial of indictment for libel In others it is
allowed such justification only when the publication
made for usabe ends and good moives Of which the jury
are judge So it in New York. and so in the State
have the honor to represent And may here be allowed
say, that in the convention which formed the State constitution
Of Florida, preferred and advocated the provision that in all
cases the truth should be received Justification of any
publication in any suit, criminal or civil
Mr. President make these references show how entirely
the liberty Of the press is in this countto show
there is danger Of its being attempted TO invade its just
rights and prvieges-to relieve those, far able,
who entertain apprehencns that the resolutions Of
my colleague, if carried out may endanger the liberty of the
press There is such danger; the press this country is
, safe. III fa 1898 XII
Mr.. PRESIDENT the subject under consideration is in
controlled affected in the least degree by any Of the