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

deed would rouse the public indignation. But we
not prepared, confess TO witness such an universal
and spontaneous outburst OF alarm and resentment
every successive mail pours in upon from every
part OF the land where this most daring and outrageous
act of the Senate has become known Our brethren OF
the press-both democratic and neutral-make common
cause with us They all feel the blow aimed at us.
We trust indeed that during editorial career OF three
andfory years, during which time no change OF libel,
public OF private was brought against us, we may
have done something TO conclate and 10 deserve the
kindness and respect OF our professional brethren we
trust too that we have in some degree contributed 10 IL
usrae in our own course the value OF free press 10 the
country. We know, aso that the spectacle OF PRIV
ILEGED POLITICAL BODY trampling upon an midi
vdua because he dares in the cause OF his country 10
utter his honest convictions TO the character OF pub
lie measure is spectacle well fitted at 10 waken
svmpaby with the oppressed and to bring down storm
Of popular wrath upon the heads OF his oppressors.
But grateful as we are personally for these demonstra-
tons on the part OF friends OF the press, we know
full well that this is personal matter IL is the
cause and the principle the sacred cause OF the freedom
of the press and the momentous principle OF the free
dom of political discussion which the vote in the Senate
strikes down--it is this which gives to our cause ITS
magnitude and vital importance in the view OF the coun-
try and which lends such unwoned and potent energy TO
the expressions OF the popular feeling. aq
sense of duty to country will not permit us 10
attempt TO check stay this rising flood OF popular In.
dgnation Any such attempt would be vain and mpo-
tent II will still rise and gather and burst upon the
heads of those who have aroused it, Judging from the
we know not what outrage upon the press the Senate
will next perpetrate or attempt We know not what jour
nal will have the honor of being chosen by the Senate
as the next victim OF personal vndicvenes or partisan
rancor We know not how we, or another jour-
nas may be found little free-spoken, and so, per-
chance be dragged for degradation and punishment to the
bar of that political body which, by our constitutions is
farthest removed from the direct influence of the people,
and which has now assumed TO sit in penal censorship
upon the liberty of the press We tell distant breth
rem that the senatorial travel fast and far
The arm Of the Senate is long, and seize an offend
ing editor from afar Still course is chosen.
So we doubt not is the of the democratic press
throughout the land True to the high behests OF
our public duty, we shall speak out our convictions
upon all public measures, and upon the public con-
duct of all public Neither the acts nor
the menaces OF the Federal Senators and their allies shall
tefy us Even at their bar, if are dragged thither
we shall stand strong in the sympathy and strength of the
course Of the whole patriotic press In a time of war,
and of fiery trial to the country shall appeal fearless
" TO Congress for the performance of its whole duty
we shall denounce all recreancy the countrys cause,
and in so doing shall laugh TO the vain efforts
and threats OF unused and lawless power seeking to
intimidate us into silence duplication.
But we will detain our readers no longer from few
among the great multitude of the demonstrations of public
feeling which are before us We shall follow these
up by other extracts tomorrow night sH
From the Pennsvvanian
| The Freedom OF the Press,
We have never witnessed a stronger and more per-
vading excitement than that apparent throughout all
of yesterday in regard to the action OF the Senate in
the unwarranabe expulsion OF the editors of the Union
from that body, for the uterance of their opinions
Among the democrats is single feeling of deep and
equivocal condemnation, and we have doubt immediate
means will be adopted to give TO this act organized and
Overwhelming rebuke, worthy of unmstakabe public
opinion, and the extraordinary circumstances of the
| itself
The Philadelphia Public Ledger (neuraD says
Mr. RIrcHrE ExprI.Ep.--The United State. Senate has
le editor Of the Washington Union from the floor Of that
house the same propttude OF action exercised against
editors reporters shown in reference
of national importance particularly those relating to the
people would be much better satisfied with the proceedings
of Congress Noe doubts the right Of either house to de
ceedngs of the privileges of the floor and in
Ra ha Expulsion Of Mr. Richie an act
acter He guilty of misrepresentation in
His offence in exercising the right common to all the
press though sometimes greatly abused-tha of comment
ing upon the public acts and speeches Of The members Of
the Senate Mr. Richie had seat the floor, granted
ly the Senate, but that imposed other obligation upon
him is imposed upon reporter who receives the same
fvorha of fairly representing the acts and opinions OF
the members when speaking of them. BY accepting this
privilege he clnqused no right of opinion that he pos
sessed before oieey commenting OF the of
the and the of the members Therefore he
xyas under obligations for personal favor from the
! &c than he al
lowing correspondents of his paper 10 do IL
irean to punish him for his opinions the Senate, in deny
of furnishing the press by ubjectng il to other liabilities
than that the law has imposed Editors OF newspa
ers are amenabe TO the laws for abusing their privileges
and and members of Congress have the same re-
of their personal or official reputation If these laws
found TO insufficient. they be altered, and additional
be adopted which will tend to curb any undue
i license in the press, .-tH n t'I
| The New York Globe says u l4t4
A SrAR-cIIA, rBER pRoceEprNG.-It will he that the
Senate of the United States has passed formal resolution
expepg the editor of the Union from the privilege of
sonally walking into the presence OF their august maes
snch starchamber proceeding this, think the Sem
ate have derogaed far from their dignity and
honor their action possibly can from the subject Of
their proscrptive ban. We much mistake the spirit
of ths free people, if they allow such higl-haned
tempt ms muaZe the and se the freedom of
speech to go mrebuked The constitution guarantees
senators tie right and privilege of speaking their own
does them
nioned before any legal tribunal answer for their
ounpe be offensive 10 truth and Justice,
ton ts attacks upon private character or personal rights
But there tribunal to which That body Is answerabe.
and from verdict senatorial privilege shield
hen-ihat tribunal is public opinion-morc omnpoen in
~ nrerogntive la the DEGREES Of the bans
despots And the rnss is the recognised adj
lI.I...