The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-04-20


all other earthly zlatters, the ferpetnaton of this
glorious and erivsablc government, TO overlook or
rather 10 omit eensuring in proper terms their anti
natiJnal anti-American, and ani-pStriotic policy,
in lcaguiag themselves WITH the abolition fanatics
ia both houses of Congress, and lending the ipflu-
eace. Of their positions te the keeping open of an
agitation which, if not settled, can have effect
but 10 endanger the conederacy, and ultimately
produce disunion, civil war and insurrection Is il
not tiple therefore, for General Taylor TO awake
fom the reverc in which he has INDUCED since his
Inauguration, and take the rens of government into
his own hands The country expects something of
him more than cheapenng eggs and beef in the
Wasl ington markets, and calculating that he
makes dime by beating down the butcher with
whom he deals TO that amount.
If the bill 10 be introduced by the Committee of
Thirteen should pass the Senate, in all proba-
bility il will, il will be referred 10 the House for
their action. We wonder how many members of
that House willing TO occupy similar position,
and entitle themselves much to the gratitude of
the country, as Messrs. Dickinson, Cass and Clay
have done by their course in the Senate. We
hope at least that Mr.. Webster is the only who
will put his hand to the plough and look back.
LIBERTY OF THE PREss-ExcLUsIoN OF ITS REP
REsENTATIvEs FROM PUBLIC MArrERs-The positive
and unmstakable inference of every intelligent
mind, when the press are excluded from public
courts or assemblies, always must be, that some
thing is about TO be effected, unsuited for the opn-
ions and judgment Of the public-that some one
sided partial and unjust object is to be secured
that private public right is to be invaded or
that society is in danger of suffering in some way
Hence, in free country like this, the people are
naturally jealous of all secret tribunals and meet
ings, and very properly so, for where there is hon
esty of purpose and good cause, what possible
benefit can result from discussing subject with
closed doors! A bad case may require secresy.-
Where dishonesty exists, an attempt to muzze the
press is to be expected.
Recently we have had occasion to notice three
instances of star-chamber proceedings, in which
the public are presumed TO have deep interest.
and from which the representatives of the press have
been grossly and wickedly shut out. Boston fur
nished the first example, on the inquest the
body of DR.. Parkman. The deplorable result
of that anomalous conduct the part of the
authorities, is a proof of the cruelty to the public,
and Of the danger to private rights. The Court
of Inquiry in the case of Lieutenant Alvarado Hun
ter supplies the second case. Where was the JUS
tice of shutting out the press-the agent of the pub
lie If any points before the Court were unsuited
for publication, an intimation TO that effect would
be sufficient to obviate any difficulty that score,
but the witnesses for the public have right to be
present. and the reporters of the press, in country
like this, those important witnesses, ready to
swear TO their notes and TO give testimony and fair
play TO the humbest individual in society. The last
specimen of exclusveness in public assembly, has
been furnished by the Association of Turner's in this
city The body is composed chiefly Of honest, hard
working, amiabe Germans, recently arrived in this
country, who are the victims Of few aristocratic
socialist leaders, who aiming to establish ar
istocracy Of trades so az shut the poor, in
dusirous man who has no dollar and monthly
contribution to sustain the lazy projectors in estab
fishing capital eventually to be applied TO the de-
struction of independent, individual labor. But we
mittake the characters Of these men, if our sincere
efforts to aid all that is good in the cause Of labor
at a great expense are to be visited by such con-
duct as has been recorded. Ignorance il the only
excuse for the abuse Of our representative and on
that ground, we pardon it ; but we must the
socialist leaders, that their infringement of the du
ties and rights of the press is something in this
country Threats may answer To stop the public
press in Austria and Prussia, but they will not be
tolerated in this land. More liberal ideas must
prevail. Imported habits of tyranny must be
cratic form, under the mask Of democracy, how
ever concentrated and formidable, shall not de-
privc the poor man OF his rights, or the people Of
their privileges, or the press Of both.
D.. 4