The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-02-03


coaches nor did he tell whether they had the benefit
of the electric telegraph He merely informed us that
what they wanted, to preserve their liberty was this
have had the benefit OF that their liberties would no doubt
have been preserved TO the present day. Well, his
illustration is one which regard very much, and think
the great advantages which were discovered many CEN
turtles afterwards. Still, they had good deal Of pol
cal michinery we have at the present day; and if
ay Of eonsostsa liberty Thsy
had candidates for Office, believe and believe too, that
those candidates took the stump as has been done in
later times They had their forum and other orators,
who the means not only OF preparing the hearts of
the people for war; but for other political questions, very
much done now through the medium Of newspapers.
My friend says that the press-by which suppose be
means the party press-s part of the machinery Of
government Well. do not know but il i1 Almost
ernment and think some Of these elements better
than the press think our school system is
much healthier element than the political press. There
FORE according to this conclusion the government ought
to take care OF the common schools also
am sorry to say that my friend. belonging as he does
to the progressive school, has taken terrible stride
time of the discovery of the art Of printing, and taken
the idea entertained then-that the press part Of
the machinery of the government and the government
ought therefore to have exclusive control that
the censorship of the royal prerogatve and
it for the king to decide what it proper for the
people to hear and what not ! suppose according to
eminent take charge of the press and decide what the
presses are to publish and circulate free within 80 miles
Mr. al AhLEN, Gin his seat Did II say that SIR ,
am only drawing differences from what he said.
Mr.. ALLEN, The senator has made many remarks
which he ascribes to me, but which never uttered;
and he knew never uttered them
Mr. NILES. do not say that the senator made state
precisely of this kind; am merely drawing in
erences from the position which my friend took in con-
,dering the press part of the elements of gov
.rnment make these inferences with perfect free
ION, though they may not be- in his opinion. consist
eha es q s G to BE- e. to
siderei part of the machinery of government, as a
consequence it might become, and would probably
power, by which they would accomplish their party
purposes On the whole, am inclined to think that the
rue idea is to keep the press entirely free from the
Now sir, with regard to one other point: think the
honorable senator makes another retrogade movement
with regard to this free circulation. think that this
he class Of privileges The gentleman does not propose
free circulation. If he did, perhaps it would hardly
all within the idea of privilege. Ii would be service
,ut when he proposes draw the line of discrmina
ion-to circulate class of papers free, and charge
he expense to .government-I take it that this is
,as, and to the citizens living within the limits of
hat circulation; Now, all privileges are in deogaon Of
he right and this stands upon the same ground
light he can be Justified II he goe. for free circulation
j, all newspapers why, that is one thing but to draw
ne-o separate papers having limited circulation, and
place them under the of the government to be
ned by her agents free is comforting apvilege not
non to all engaged in the same business. Why, he is
The last in this body who would suppose would ever
raise his powerful voice here in defence Of such prv-
ege It appears to me he must have ost his reckoning
for have heard him combating privileges and him
lighting monopoies- leading the "forlorn hope" as
power and spirit that it did my heart good to
witness and after all this, ! am sorry to see him
stand up here the advocate Of privileges Of any kind
irs the free circulation OF papers within certain dis
ance and second the continuance OF the Thanking pv-
know he Ss says these privileges Leg are Tor the benefit
privileges No asks for privileges but in the name,
and for the benefit of the peoples whether it is so or not
therefore, to see that he has gone back-as think he
has-instead Of going ahead, as we have right to
pect Of him. He processes to belong to the progressive
but ne seems to fallen back ana 70 have be-
him fighting against monopoles and privileges leading
The Masses and standing upon the very trench where
the enemy to be met, and with his powerful voice
rallying the forces
sCharge, Chester, charge lon, Stanley, on p'
:" Once to the breach, dear fends-once moro !"
[Great laughter.]
Instead Of this we find him backing out and with his
powerful voice he is strenuousy advocating two prvi
a1 this DT
former position, still hope that my friend will remain
here and in my retirement shall be glad, if do not
hear his voice, to read in the newspapers (Which will
circulate free the speeches Of the honorable senator in
which shall find him standing upon the ground which
ne occupied when he came nte this body. and which he
will still maintain, the enemy OF privileges well
he enemy of jobbersthe opponent OF special legsla
on-as the great and powerful advocate OF equal and
common rights Of the whole people All this shall
oect, sir.
beg leave to call the attention Of the Senate,
briefly as can, to few remarks which shall mako
upon the general character Of this bill, which have been
discussed as yet little have l., something aa e say IN
character. | certainly have no wish to consume any
time upon it, if shall appear, after there has been
discussion proposed upon the main character of the
bill, that majority Of the Senate are not in favor
one to move to strike out the enacng clause, that
nay get the of the Senate and that il they are
opposed TO the bill, more time may be consumed in
It's consideration.
new are so great departure from our former laws that
i NAV be considered substantially the introduction of
new system The first and most important of these fea-
that of introducing. substantially the penny sys
principle OF uniform rate Now sir, these two prnc-
pies must stand fall together. WE must have uni
form rate, if we introduce low rate: am not
myself in favor OF a uniform rate, if that rate is
ow rate, then think there ought to be discrim.
nation; because, if the charge is considerable ONE
every person must that there justice and proprey
charging for letter paper carried thousand
niles than for carried ten miles; but if we can sus-
aln the system for very low rasay three cents Tor
etters. and cent for newspapers, general rate
hen am in favor OF a uniform rate because the low
rate does not operate unjustly upon any one i ~
rate for letter carried ten miles, ana me
system sustain itself by adheng 10 the same rate LOT
any distance-athough the people at a distance may be
more benefited than those near by-stii' as mere
is no injustice done to those who send letters