The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-08-12
WHOLE NO. Sss
LIBERTY OF PUBLIC spEAKERs.

. LIBERTY OF PUBLIC SPEAKERS.
Though Dogberry is said not to have been
. the Mayor Of a city, that cles of nctonarics
do not always appear to be posted up in law.
The Chief Magistrate OF Cincinnati recently
gave decision that street preaching was illegal,
but after stern mandate OF public indgna-
tion, he found out his error and the preacher
was allowed to proceed in his outdoor
harangues. II appears that in Louisville
there have also been signs Of trouble IN the
same manner, the Roman Catholic Bishop
having published an advertisement warning
his flock one and oil, not take notice of
certain street apostle. Baltimore has Just
!. been the scene of similar difficulty. Itap-
pears from The Sun, that a preacher, John
Mitchell, whose habit is to declaim al freseo,
was so occupied last Sunday at the Richmond
, Market, on bible topics, when number Of
the police interfered and pronounced the
assembly illegal. One of them, seizing the
offender By the arm, threatened to take him
to the station-house if he did not desist.
Some Of the auditors here interfered, stating
that Mr. MITCHELL who is an old man and
deprived of sight, had preached for several
years from the same place, and that his right,
was unquestionable. One of the officers
hereupon drew revolver and threatened to
fire on any one who resisted, when some
gentlemen known as permanent friends of
the Temperance cause led the blind speaker
to the steps of the Methodist Episcopal Church
hard by, where he concluded his diacourse.
A large number Of persons who had witfiessedI
this, went to the Mayor, Mr.. Holins, and
obtained an investigation and hearing Of the
matter on the following morning. Acomnittee
was present, who informed the Mayor that
the same preacher had been stopped year
since, but that the then Mayor had decided in
his favor. The present dignitary, however,
consideredthe preachers emarksinaammtaory
with tendency to create riot, and accordingly
he had authorized the police to stop such
At this intimalion meeting
of hundred persons was called in the neigh
borhood, and committee appointed to inter-
rogate the Mayor more particularly as to his
legal interpretations in such matters,l the
result of which was, that in anwer to specific
questions, he decided as follows:
"1st. Should portion ofthe citizens Of this
city hold public temperance meeting in any
Of the market places, and the speaker were
to use language in the discussion of his subject,
which should conflict with the interests of a
certain class, the liquordeaiers, and a riot
should ensue, who would you hold responsible
for the riot! and who would be arrested! His
honor answered promptly, the speaker would
be held responsible, and he be arrested.
"2d. Should minister Of the gospel preach
in his own church, and utter sentences dis
nj nd hoG fbo
outsiders, create riot in consequence who
would be held responsible for the riot! His
Honor answered, the minister, and he would
be taken out Of his pulpit if he used language
that should give ofense to any.
"3d. Should minister of the Gospel, in
the discharge of his ministerial functions in
preaching what he believed to be the truth,
use language which should give offense,
though not intended, and persons, taking
exception thereto, should create riot, who
would you hold responsible for the riot! His
Honor again answered the minister!
"4th, Will your honor please inform US who
is to be the judge OF the import ofthe language
usedl His Honor answered, the minister, OF
course; and added. II. however, the language
used by the minister should create riot, then
he would be held responsible for it," s.r.
The meeting pronounced these doctrines
and dangerous 70 liberty. or
course, they do not require any extended
comment, being fallscious on their face. l,
1t is certainly curious and melancholy
thing, to observe how exploded views are
brought up again.. whenever vested interest
is attacked. We would infer that in this
instance,the interest was rum; it could hardly
have been Slavery. To strike at preaching
in the open air, is to be agreat harm. Many
persons might be influenced that way, who
would not go to church. It's apostolical
is not its least recommendation. II
the police have revolyers at command so
easily for blind preachers, they might also
have them ready for any mob that would
Interfere. But we take it that the whole
matter grew out of officousness originally,
and it will have the advantage to settle
iefntively the right OF the citizen to speak
On all public questions in publc.-N. Y.
Tribune.