The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-10

We speak freely is the crisis. Now is the
to speak out We Shall be rebuked for painness-we
may refuse stand with us, who may unfortunately mis-
take the path otheir own permanent glory bn we speak
verdict of the countryhavng ambitious aspirations to
" o gns s Mbeo to s
party of the counry shall desire it, but fearless OF all at
np ON the Of life 70 what We have always
the principles which we have uniformly protcsed and
the integrity which we trust never TO have furnished"
When we published these hasty lines in the last nights
Union" had idea that should be called upon
at so early hour redeem word But the resou-
lions which have been this day submitted by Mr. Yulee
senator OF the United States from the State OF Florida
have made an issue which prepared TO with
all possible irmness, and with all respect for the
body whose prescription has been invoked upon our
heads. His first resolution charges us with uttering'
in the last nights Union public libel upon the character
of this body uhe Senate) The second charges a
spartal and UNJUST report of the proceedings OF the
Senate on the army bill and for this transgression it ex
cludes the reporters of the Unon" from the gallery of
the Senate
AS for reporter he will make out his case IN
the way most agreeable to himself We have no doubt
he will clear himself OF all intention TO make out q" par
al and unjust report" For ourselves, knew nothing
of the report he was about make. We knew nothing
of any part OF the debate appearing last nights Union
AS to the 'publc libel" which we are said to
have 'uttered" in the editorials in any com.
muncation in the Union, must say, in the "spir-
it of free press addressing free people," that
have pleasure in publishing bes upon any one and
least OF all, in lbeng the Senate of the United States
For fory-one Years remained at the head OF free
press in Virginia, and any complaint of libel
of public OF private character, brought to door
We came TO Washington with full sense OF the re-
spect which due to the Congress of the United States
but with an equally firm determination to maintain our
principles and our ndependence-as well as the rights
and honor of country. We hold the liberty of
free discussion, and the freedom OF the press, a.
essential elements OF the virtue Of our free nsti-
tutions But when in the midst of foreign war;
when patriotic people anxious our rights
and procure honorable peace by its vigorous prose-
cuton the public sentiment is clearly far in ad-
vance OF the action Of their representatives, ask
whether the press is be muzzled-whether every
dgnant expression censurng the of the Senate
a material measure for prosecuting this war; is to
be cut down to suit the astdieus feelings of senator
who has participated in its rejecton' We ask whch-
the freedom of the press-the birthright of the
American citizen, the palladium of our hbery--is
NJ
the seat of the Federal Government This resou-
ton would deny the privilege of seat on the
floor Wewould enjoy this honor when it can be attain.
ed without the loss OF our independence But we will moi
secure this privilege" by sacrifice of the dearer 'prv
ieges and rights of the press Where will the punish
men stop VIII the Senate send their sergeant at arms
to arrest an Independent editor to commit him to CUSTODY
and revive in his person the odous scene which was
exhibited in the Senate Of the United States in Febr
airy, 1900, when, in the backcockade days OF ancient
federalism the fiat went forth TO punish Mr. Duane the
editor Of the "Aurora, for paragraphs defama,ory
of the Senate" in his paper And is the blow against the
liberty OF the press from the youngest Senator of
the youngest southern State in the Unon who processes
himself TO be friend OF the free people OF enlght.
ened democracy
What is case, the OF the whole press Of
the Union What may suffer to-day they may all suffer
tomorrow. The penalty threatened against us for the