The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-10-11
Responsibilities of the Press.

press is the only means by which public sent-
ment can be formed or ascertained Expert
ence has shown that where opinions are openly
canvassed, those which are wise and lust be-
come settled tenets of public faith; those
which are founded in wrong, or absurdity, are
condemned, ridiculed, and forgotten. Whilst
the present is, undoubtedly, period when the
public press should peak most freely, there
has been no period when its conductors should
observe more moderation Of language. Sub
ects of the most serious import are agltating the
country. Extreme opinions are contending for
adoption before the tribunal Of the people
Results which almost involve the happiness Of
humanity depend upon the decision. Is il not
i sacred duty which the press owes TO the
cause Of liberty 10 discuss the questions tempe
Tately and inIelligently2 Many who WELD the
editorial pen DO not sufficiently reflect upon the
influence which they guide, or to which they
contribute. They do not reflect that the in
temperate rhapsody which flies of in the heat
u composition msy be regarded BY the reader
=. call to duty, OF stimulus TO resistance;
that Il may have broken in some patriotic bosom
the las, fibre Of attachment 10 the Union In
this age Of steam, the editor may be hkened
10 the engineer entrusted with the control
Of a mighty power. which, with wisdom and
prudence, promotes the prosperity and hap
pIneSs Of all, but the careless or, reckless en-
ployment Of which may result in the destruc-
ton Of the precious charge committed to him.
We observe this tendency to violence in
many Of our exchanges; some Of them seek to i'm
press their peculiar excitement upon the public
memory by the employment ofstriking phrases.
One gentleman proposes marching 10 the attack
upon the peace u the country in the original ar
NOR lf "a coffin, " lacking nothing but cord and
cotton nightcap TO complete his costume, ii his
antagonists should conquer and doom him to CON
dign punishment; others counsel the fugi,ives of
the North to unite, arm themselves with bowies
and revolvers, and promise to assist them
We shall annex some specimens Of the intern
F'e-auuv sIsn winch editors and orators, North
ane South, discuss the recent legislation Of
Congress.
The -. Louis Mon condemns the Texas
Boundary Bib, because it deprives New Mexico
Of ''much q her soil guaranteed to her By the
Z
.; the close Of the war"
NJ. JuLnN speaks IN terms Of the strongest
-eT-o1atI5n "0f the acts Of the last session II
Congress, by which, he said. one hundred
thousand square miles Of territory had been
given up 70 slavery, iOr which Texas had no
claim, with ten millions Of dollars 10 keep tina,
State from making war on the General Gov
eminent, with their thirty thousand inhabit-
ants, aud without means TO defend themselves
against the Indians, or 10 pay their debts.
Congress had gone further-they pledged the
faith Of the nation, so far as they could, 20
make more slave States out Of Texas.
Here were the measures Of the present Con
gress. He was almost sorry to say that he
was a member Of it, True, California had
been admitted, but 1t was only Jy Northern
members mOrtgagiHg their coHsoienoes 10 hs
Stare Ps'rer. II was only after nine months
labor, and when a bargain had been made 10
carry all these other measures. that Califor- |
MIA was admitted. He had well |
considered the subject and he would 20 10
the stake and burn before he would engage in |
such hellish business w the name Of God
and humanity, he was determined 10 trample !
that law under foot"
Mr.. JONI A. Wills "was truly glad tina,
this Infamous slave bill had passed-it had
brought ms 70 our senses. For
years we had cnnged to the South. until the
iyrant had brought ms TO his feet Would
we SUBMIT (Cnes Of "No, no.")
The Albany Atlas announces that "every-
where throughout the Northern States, We
see 1t announced that the colored population
are teuor-struck by the passage Of Fill
morc's slave-capturing bill'
The Independent says 'the law which has
been enacted will remain, we are confident.
substantially imperative. With
such solemn convictions. no law. impious.
infdel to God and humanity shall have re
spect or observance at our hands"
These extracts are principally copied from the
Erening Post, itself most violent opponent Of
the two most important measures VI adjustment
This paper encourages the continuance o. the
agitation until the whole territory Of the Uni
ted States shall be protected from slavery by
legal provision. II requires that the decree Of
Providence shall be confirmed by the proviso Of
Wimot. Not content 10 rely upon the argu-
ments which may be adduced in favor Of such
a measure, it duplicates the question Of Free
soil with the terms Of the Fugitive Slave bill,
and fans the excitement now rising throughout
the North. Whilst the columns Of this paper
teen with bitter ePithets and inscriptions i'm
putation, it loses no opportunity Of party adj
q. II
the Locofoco party, and the schism Of the
Wings, it continues 20 censure, and TO quote
the censurcs Of others upon President FILL
MORE, because he has signed the Fugitive
Slave bill-a bill which was introduced by
Locoioco Senator, and which passed Loco
foco Senate, and Locofoco House by an i'm
mense majority.