The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-17
Freedom of the Press.

We translate with much pleasure the following strong
remarks from the French Journal the Courier des Eats
Uns of this week, in relation to the recent invasion OF
the rights of the press by the Senate They worthy OF
the high character and intelligence OF that Journal and
they show how the action of the Senate is viewed by
those who occupy the position OF neuras in American
politics. and whose opinions of the freedom OF the press
have been formed under institutions less liberal than
own. The Courier says; trsi
"We have already mentioned the motives of this
ure. Mr. Richie is struck by the anahema of the Sem
ate because he has given to some senators the pari-
otto of the Allies of Mexico In this decision,
the Senate was Judge and party. But this is
the least reproach of It's action in the case.
There is in truth, in this measure, which strikes down
member of the press, a wo-fod monsrosty, (mOnSrt-
ostf And first, in view of the institutions of the coun
institutions reposng upon basis more broadly be-
raj than elsewhere exissis il not something more than
strange to the hottest of all Liberties, the liberty of
free speech, thus struck down without defence ,
In France, where the republican opposition strug
giles increasingly against everything like arbitrary
and tyrannical shackles such proceeding would have
excited universal clamor What ephets has the oppo-
son press of France failed to heap upon the moderate
party es centres of the Chamber from that OF 'pentus
to that of Prtckurdists and the English paryn What
insulting sarcasms has it not repeated till they have be-
come popular against the peerage? And at all this, who
has flown into passion' Who has thought of demand
ing vengeance against those audacous pens which dared
to assail the majority of Parliament No Doubt
less the French Chambers have, in cases, dis
played some severity against certain journals. But the
question then was recently, in the case of the Trib
une before the House of Representatives, of session
tavested and misrepresened at pleasure case fact
OF want OF veraclty in journalist Such
matter of internal police, cognZance of which necessarily
belonged to the body thus offended The Senae, the
contrary has put forth its rage against Judgment
not fact, and has, this exactly touched the Just lib
erty OF the press which, if it does extend to the mis-
representation of facts, claims al least all latitude in the
opinion which it expresses of them
Besides, the French Chambers act within legal lin
ITS and rules They know where their right begins and
where 1t stops. Is so with the Senate at Wash
ngonl No. The American constitution confers on
that body no special jurisdiction over the press The
Senate has acted merely upon its single discretionary
thonty. These objections, may be supposed, have
been raised both in the debate and BY the journals all of
which have seen themselves to be menaced by the blow
inflicted upon the Union To this it has been answered
that the Union is an exceptional case that perhaps be-
fore any other Journal the Senate would have hesitaed
TO exercise the gor which arrogated to itself against
paper, which TO its character official Journal IONS
the title of the privileged printer of Congress 1t is not
then, simply offending editor but it is Mr. Folks Jour
nal that the Senate has sought TO strike
Such is, in fact the true aspect of this affair The
debate and the vote have been in reality nothing else than
an occasion to draw clearly the line which henceforh
10 distinguish the democratic clique OF Mr. Calhoun from
the party which sustains Mr.. Polk The party of Mr.
Calhoun in assuming the initiative of this attack against
the Union, has shown that it considered addressed
itselfthe epthet which demanded punishment"