New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-09-24
PrRus or FREE DISCUSSION

qured By their columns or because they deem the
proper conduct OF more widely circulating papers
properly object OF greater solotude we Will not
undertake TO decide-favors with feroeious dia-
tribe against the principle svow OF granting 20 sll
convictions fair hearing through our journal
Had our contemporary seen fit TO object 10 the very
great breadth of the paragraph on which he CON-
ments-haa lie urged that no one newspaper ever did
or give q fair statement Of all the va
rOGs theories opinions and speculations known among
men-had lie nstanced that we habitualy exclude, TO
the extent Of our ability the discussion of disputed the
illogical tenet and insist that with regard 70 what is
termed Spritualisn and the kindred puzzles,
respondents shall confne themselves strictly may
be 20 the facts they suppose they have witnessed Of
whose verify they have credible proof-had he urged
that we do not in feet surrender any considerable share
Of our columns to the champions Of miscaled Free
Trade Of Liquor Licenses, &C. but remind them that
they have many journals unfolding their own views
respectively, and that it is unfair their part to ask
that in addition TO monopoly Of these. orr columns
should be required for such a seryice-he might have
made out very plausible But our fault in his
eyes is not that Of unfahulness 70 the principle OF
Free Discussion but the contrary; and he gives bis
indictment no narrower scope than this:
1t the e. ruth .iter wat Or h5 rep,shsa.isis
whether AnRenm ndae.y Treason or Liber'nism sex 70
nAhe rs .otL1 ~ ln'o ~ 9. ~ Joe u so
piece the practicable embodiment inmate bad that
would steal into the paradise Of 'fiuoas simplicity
Whether this paradise OF virtuous simplicity is
only tie City Of NewYo7k or includes the whole
world we are not permitted TO know; but in either
case must say that our experience afrms that the
statement is to be taken with very considerable mita
tions We have something of this earth and its
human denizens but that particular portion of il which
may fairly be termed paradise Of yirtuous simplicity
has not yet fallen under observation. Contrarwise
we have found everywhere peryersity folly, vice i'm
morality corrupton indicating evils TO be cured rather
than yirtuOus simplicity to be conserved By mere
nacton And. in order that such cure may be eff
fected we have deemed il advisable that each should
be permitted to state his view of the nature Of the dis
ease and the remedies thereby indicated We have be-
eyed that attention drawn by this TO the fact
that there are evils to be combated aud overcome aud
thus every one set to considering the necessity and the
best means Of conquering them. We have cOncurred
in the poets sentiment
fos much s.P ~ %l NJ s Ct h.sIt ''''
Ii is main purpose of our efforts 10 lmpel our read
ers to think for themselves-not blndy TO accept
opinions but scrutinize them compare them with 9th
ers. and accept Truth wherever it may lie found As
We read human history the modest truths in every age
have often borne the most opprobrous and been
especial targets for denuncatOn aud inyectye from The
Courers and Enquiries Of their times respectively This
fact has rendered apprehensye of repasng unrecog
nized angels, though bodiless. And though the
pride of opinion, the bigoted attachment to cherished
convictions whish inheres in in all men may make
us sometimes unjust to opponent or intoerant to
suggestion which conflicts with fixed ideas OF truth
and purity, hope to increase in caholcity of spirit
and lberay of conduct toward adverse opinions, 20
the end OF our days.
"Libertnism" is indcatcdby our contemporary one
of the corruptng toward which have eyinced
a dangerous liberay. We think this justi6es us in
the statement that when this paper established,
the laws OF our State had no terrOrs penalties for
the seducer adulterer Believing this lenity at once
partial. unjust and immoral, we early commenced an
agitation for the enrolment of Seduction and Adultery
on the list Of Crimes and did not relax our efforts till
the end was attained. SO with regard to Gambling aud
other vices. against which the laws OF our State have
been increased in sringency and efficiency directly fol-
lowing efforts in that direction Weare now doing
what We can TO procure the Outlawry Of the Liquor
Traffic: and whenever that shall be accomplished
to do utmost to have the keeping of house
of hceutious and infamous made felony by the
laws Of State and punished at least severely
the receiving OF stolen goods And thus we hope
10 proceed triumph opening and paving the way TO
new fields Of exertion, until there shall be no chance
left within the sphere OF our influence for one human
being to receive apparent advantage from, TO make
gain Of tie debasement and ruin OF another.
Al this time, We mean TO hear candIdly and treat
fairly the upholders of the evils combat Ifany man
comes to NJ, saving, SIR. YOU are indeed mistaken:
this Liquor Traffic these dens Of infamy which you
0unsparingly war upon not really evils but bless
ings; or ii bad at all they necessary evils and
cannot be swept away without giving place to still
greater we will hear what he has to offer and re-
flute his sophistry TO the best OF our ability. We
have faith in Truth. We believe il yanquish
Error wherever it has an open field and fair
play For an honest conviction, even though
wrong we have profound respect against d
base selfish immoral action. we invoke the collective
Judgment and conscience of Humanity embodied and
usde operative in Law.
A. to Treason We opposed and denounced the
War on Mexico as a crime against Eternal Justice, and
as such we still denOunee il So We do the Fugitive
Slave Law and all laws which authorize one man to
hunt MAIN and murder another, charged with no
crime but that of seeking 10 achieve that Liberty
which our Declaration Of Independence declares the
naenable bir,hrght Of all If there be AM treason
in this We court and challenge a prosecution Trea-
son is clearly defined in the Federal Constitution we
our .r,apsbifV IN the lay expOunied