Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-12-20
a 3 lpnants am ffanlp ddlethIp aeos paper.
A Free Country and a Free Press.

A Free Country and a Free Press.
some persons entertain very strange and
erroneous opinions concerning the characterof
our Government, in their understanding of a
free country. They seem to consider that 1t
guarantees to them the untrammellcd exer-
else of their powers-physical, intellectual
and moral-to be employed in any manner
that to them seemeth fit, for their own aggran-
diBement and to further their own ends
Hence W. see the strong over awning and crusb-
ing the weak-the shrewd and cunningtaking
advantage Of the simple and unsuspeeting-
and the wicked and abandoned catering to
the worst passions of men feeding the fires
of insubordination exciting to discord and
rebellion, and scattering "frebrands, arrows
and death" among community. And they
bolster themselves up in such conduct, by
saying" this is a free country, and every
man has a right to do as he pleases." And
some persist in such a course until the prison,
the p~enitentiary and the g~allows, with their
strong arguments, convince them to the con-
trary.
There are men, also, who seem to 4 think, as
, controllers Of the public Press, which has
been appropriately termed " the palladium
:, of our liberties" they have the right to advo-
cate such doctrines and put forth such senti-
ments as may please them, regardless of 9TH
er mems rights, or of the injurious effects it
d may produce on society. Hence the low and
scurrillous sheets that nowinfest the country,
- A. :...o.- IL oLnoo.o o41o0c Ehot
10 throng the market, and the many suits for
g SANDER which appear on the dockets of our
III Courts.
There are others again, who ~construe "the
III liberty of the Press" to embrace the publica-
IN ton Of such things, and the PRONUNCIATION of
W. such doctrines and sentiments only, as re.
ceiye their concurrence but as soon as the
to opposites appear, they d%enounce them as in.
wv tolerable and ought not to be allowed. If q
man or class they differ from, is assailed
and their misdeeds held up to public crit
is, cism and odium, it is all just and proper;
oh right which is sacred to our institutions anC
must be indicated at all hazards. But i
the one to which they are attached-or thei
own 1lulflOudl bCtiOho dc puO1NN uCh-NA
nd called in question and animadverted on, the fel
mr. spirit of intolerance and brute force is aroused
ING and we hear threats of intimidation or gic
de- lence towards the unfortunate aggressor.
uor These are three classes of men who al
adj dangerous to society and an evil to comm1
eed nifty. The man who will execute migl
hall against right, is a villain. He who, at tt
head of a public Press, will take advantas
has of his position to poison the fountains of Ii
int ~erature, morality or politics, by the inculc
nool ton of principles destructive to their rein
the ment, elevation, purity and rational enjo
he ment, is worse than the midnight incendial
riot who lays his train and applies the dead
en-. match which prostrates and brushes another
are dwelling and destroys the unsuspecting i
that mates. And he who holds office or pa
lect- of public trust, and is afraid to have his az
lint ranhlinly exhibited and descanted on. and
not prevent which INDUCES IN threats and brs
its gadocia, is a coward in the first place, a
es of unworthy of the confidence of any communi
oil of and secondly displays the meanness of t
nde- low petty tyrant who would demolishan a
every thing that differs with him. For
: our good of the country, however, it is fortun;
ar as that the Press is seldom, if ever, silenced
qredt such means-and for one, while we are
SUBJ termined to do injustice to nc one, friend
much foe, if we know it neither will we fail
cted, discharge our duty in exposing corruption
a; for misdoing,~ whenever it comes within the sph
with Of our operations.