The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-15

of the county OF Washington, the District OF Column
ba praying the repeal or modification OF the act OF July
T. 1888, 10 restrain the circulation of small notes as
currency in the District OF Columbia and presenmenl
OF said grand Jury representing the necessity OF poyd,
ing more suitable accommodations for the circuit and
criminal of the United States for the District OF
Columbia; which were referred to the Committee for the
District of Columbia
Mr.. SIMMONS presented the petition OF Thomas
Lloyd Hasey, praying indemnity for French spoiations
prior TO 1900; which was LAID on the table
MIR. DAVIS presented a memorial OF shipowners,
merchants insurance companies and underwriters OF the
cities of Boston and New York praying the reconstruc-
ton of the light house at Sand Key in the harbor of
Key West Florida; which was referred to the Committee
Mr. ARCHER presented the petition of Elizabeth
Cross widow of Joseph Kelly, adeceased naval seaman
PRAYING pension; which referred 10 the COMMITTEE
on Naval Affairs.
Mr.. ASHLEY presented petition of citizens OF Ar
kansas, praying the establishment of mail route from
Van Buren, to Fayetteville in that State which was re-
iered to the Committee on the Post Ofhce and Post
Roads.
Mr.. DIX presented petition of citizens Of Livingston
county, IN New York. praying that the Tonawanda band
OF Indians may be exempted from the operation OF the
treaty Of 1912 between the United States and the Seneca
nation which was referred TO the Committee on Indian
Affairs.
On motion of Mr. JOHNSON, of Louisiana, the Com
mee on Pensions was discharged from the further con
sdeation of the petition of Judith Whetten and was
referred TO the Committee on Naval Affairs.
cUsroM-HousE AT CHARLESTON.
Mr. DIX, from the Committee on Commerce, reported
the following resolution; which was read:
Resoped That the Secretary of the Treasury be request
ed communicate the session. any
formation in his possession in respect to the necessity of
house in the city of Charleston and that also
he be requested to ascertain for what sum the present Gus
to-house can be disposed of and new site purchased
and report plan and estimates of the construct
ing building sufficient for the commercial wants of
the city.
On motion by Mr.. DIX, the Senate proceeded to the
consideration OF the following resolution heretofore sub
mted by him:
Resolred, That and after Monday the Senate will
IL O'clock a.
The resolution agreed to.
"PRIvLEGE"-THE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS.
The Senate then proceeded to the consideration of the
resolutions offered by MIR YULEE, "Wednesday last
viz:
Rssoued That the editors the Union newspaper pub
contained in number of that paper dated the 9th of Feb
ary issued and uttered public libel upon the character
of this body be excluded from the privilege of admission
Be further resored That the report of the proceedings
of the Senate of the 9Th day of February in relation
bill entitled An to raise Tor limited time addition
just the body and that the reporters for that paper be
Guided for the residue OF the session from place in the gal
lery of the Senate
speech OF about two hours duration, and of an emf
neny dscursve character. Awaiting ourselves of the
report furnished BY himself to the iateiigeneer. can
only give, possible statement of the topics not di-
recty bearing the resolution, which handled by
the honorable gentleman with the particular passages
ating to the subjec-maer in discussion He said that,
the liberty of the press there is senator on this
loorhere is citizen in the confederacy who is
inclined, from education from feelings OF strong paal-
ty for the press, to uphold IN Its just rights than
will state, sir under the risk of having egoism
imputed to me- that my father practical printer and
the editor OF different democratic presses from 1896
to 1906 In boyhood was put to learn the trade under
democratic editor and since adopted another profess
sion, have from inclination generally been less
connected directly or Indirectly With political and dem
sociations have formed in life have been with po-
ltical editors and writers My symPathies, feelings;
and partiaes are generally with them and shall
trust be found firm in protecting their right
full privileges against encroachment from any quarter
But while would defend the press in the fair and prop
exercise of its rghsn the full and free and liberal
discussion OF public and examination of the
conduct of public men, will not sustain it when, in
stead or such fair discussion, ii habualy descends TO
scurritmakes defamation its daily vocation, and IL
centious abuse ana assault on private reputation Its Ia
vorlte weapons OF assault When any press thus de-
grades ITSELF when thus disgaces the country, every
honorable printer every true friend of the profession and
of the liberty of the press will not sustain such press
they will rebuke 1t by Just censure. and persists il
should be avoided affected with leprosy With respect
to individual wrong sustained by newspaper pubca-
ton OF defamaory character, the person injured is gen
orally safe in the Judgment of an enlightened commune
~, but if not he has full remedies in the criminal prose
cution in civil suit given him by the laws of the coun
try IndUWuais, whatever their official position, should
be left to seek redress under the laws No officer of the
government neither the President, any member OF
Congress, any head of department, ought to have
for any that can be urged any different remedy
than the poorest and humbles citizen in the land Nc
proper, even if it was constitutional Wheneverit should
be necessary for the protection of such fnctonares
from outrage the press, the people will have been
degraded that they will be fit subjects for despotio
government An enlightened and liberal public opin.
ion will sustain public funconaries against
lust assaults Party spirit may for a while prevent
full justice being done, but eventually, when calm
and cool reflection reawakens those feelings Of
liberal confidence which every honest wishes &c
have in his fellow man, truth will resume control The
old common law ample to afford full redress for bels
personal reputation: Some of the first statesmen and
loo stringent and restricted 10 harmonic with free
and liberal institutions 1t does not allow the truth to be
given in evidence justification criminal prosecu
lion; and indeed one of the maxims, it is said, bf the
English law is, "the greater the truth the great
the libel" In many OF the States the common law Of
aied or modified. The freedom of the press has been
guaranteed in all of them by provisions in their constu
lions or fundamental laws The federal constitution de-
clares that Congress shall pass no law 'abrmging the
freedom of the press" In several of the States it is de-
claed that the truth may always be given in evidence
a justification the trial of Indictment for libel In
Others il is allowed such justification only when the
publication made for justihabe ends and good mo-
lives, of which the jury are 10 Judge So 1t is in New
York, and in the State that have the honor TO repre-
sent And may here be allowed to say that in the con-
venon which formed the State constitution OF Florida,
preferred and advocated the provision that in all cases the
truth should be received justification of any pubica-
ton in any suit criminal or civil Mr. President, make
these references to show how entirely the liberty
of the press in this countryfo show there dan
ger of its being attempted to invade just rights and priv
ieges-to relieve those, far as am able who seem TO
enferta apprehensions that the resolutions of my col
league fesred out may endanger the liberty the press
There such danger the press in this country is safe
II IL no invasion Of right of the editor reporters of
the Unions no encroaehMent upon their prerogaves