The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1855-12-14
The Hog Market.

The Hog Market.
WE have been informed, somewhat to
our surprise, that the appearance of the
article in our last issue on this subject, from
"A Friend to the, South" has subjected as
to some censure. Such complaints some
times render it necessary for the editor to
define his rights and explain the nature and
oxtent of his responsibilities 10 the public.
few words, therefore, from us may be ne
essary in the present instance, and few
shall suffice.
The general practice of publishing COM
munications, under certain restrictions, is so
common and obviously proper, that no effort
is needed to vindicate it; no one will aues-
ton its propricty. And the privilege of
being allowed an audience through the pub
lie press, under the same restrictions, has
been so long and so universally accorded in
this country to all who seek it, that it may
be considered as almost, if not wholly,
r'ghtto be demanded by the one who wish
es to exercise it, and not to be denied BY
the conductor Of the press.
The only question, therefore, that can
arise is as to what those restrictions are or
should bc-what the rules by which to de-
eide whether or not any particular article
shall be given the public through the news
paper press2
AS newspaper is usually private prop
erty, the rules to. be observed in its conduct
depend upon the Judgment and disposition
of its editor or owner. Those whichs5fwe
have always observed in regard TO the pub
ication of communicated matter are few,
simple and comprehensive. If the subject
treated sofEis one Of public monents affect
ing, either favorablyor adversely,sthe gen.
eral interest; If the information touching
the, subject is in any way equal in impor-
tancc to tho subject itself !; If the language
employed in conveying that information is
considered chaste and proper; And. lastly,
It the writer is responsible individual, we
accept and publish the article Our right
to do so is indisputabIe. If the information
contained in the article be true, and. calcl-
lated to advance the public in terest, lit is
not only our right but duty to publish il II
if it be untrue, and calculated to prejudice
the public, interest it is better to publish:
it through the press, and thus afford an sop-
portunity to the better informed to disproye5
it, than to allow It to circulate in less pub.
lie but more insidious manner Suppose,
for example, that man, whose general
standing and character for veracity entities
his word to general credence, undertakes
to propagate erroneous reports; is it not
better for the public that he should do SO
through the public presss Most assuredly.
In that case his errors are sure to meet the
eye Of truth, and challenge a like public
1exposure; whilst, 10 the other case, when
they are passed from mouth. to mouth,
they may never reach the ear Of one cred
ulous enough to doubt, or competent TO
diaprove them. A statement once commit.
ted to types assumes an unchangeable shape
and prop ortions, which greatly augn:ent
the CHANCES. for I. correct public yiewsof it.,
re- In Publishing Communications swe always
reserve the right to make such comments
as we may deem proper and advisable. If
an article contains what wse have reason to
believe erroneous statements, which may
lprejudice the general ssIlate, we. deem it.a