Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-11-18
The Freedom OF she Press I'm England
Reply OF the Times 10 the HKoniteuT.
rD.-. ~, London 1;rn.s Oct ~ 1

Prom the London Times, Oct 81
Once more, after considerable interval of
time, the Moniteur has been directed to call to
order tie unmannerly organs Of the English
press The Moniteur is the organ of the
French government. The English newspa-
pers are merely the private utterauce of indi-
vidual,; it therefore becomes them to confront
their monitor with dignity and respect, neither
forgetting the interests that might be compro-
missed by rough and unmannerly plainness, nor
the directness and sincerity which are the
honor and the distinction of freemen.
The Moniteur tells Us that ssfor some time
different organs of the English press have en-
deavored to spread calumnies respecting the
French government, which are the more odi-
Gus As they are concealed under an anonymous
mask, aud can only be answered by contempt.
We are aware Of the respect which is paid to
the liberty of the press in England, and in thus
pointing out its deviations, we contine our
selves to an appeal to the common sense and
good faith of the English people, to warn them
against the dangers of a system which, by de-
stroying the confidence between the two gov
ernments, would tend to disunite two nations
whose alliance is the best guarantee OF thepeace
of the world"
This paragraph is framed in terms of studied
ambiguity, and has taken the public both in
London and Paris com lletely by surprise. The
offending Journals, the nature of the offence,
the portion of the French government attack
ed, are all left to the consclences of the anony-
nous persons who write them, and of the
anonymous public who by reading encourage
them. We are neither in the secrets of the
M0niteUr nor of our contemporaries, and there
fore know not who are the guilty writers and
what part of the French government believes
itself aspersed. But this we can say with
confidence, speaking for ourselves, for whom
alone we have right to speak, that without
pretending any sympathy with the manner III
which the present government of France was
established, or the principles on which it is
based, we recognise in H Majesty the Empe-
ror of the French a faithful and honorable ally,
whose good faith towards and effective co-ope-
ration with this country, is embalmed in the
glorious "reminiscences of successful war;
We believe that the emperor of the French is
the best and sincerest friend of the English
alliance within bis domains. We accept his
sutocracy over France as the result of her own
choice, authenticated by her own suffrages,
and therefore as fact which it becomes every
English writer to treat with reserve, with mod
GRAFTON, and even with respect.
Again, We sincerely profess for the French
-
rial master, the same fe cling which we enter
tain towards their representatives, and it is to
their union with England that we look for all
that politicians can achieve towards the future
progress and enlightenment of Europe. But
if we are asked to extend the same respectful
consideration which we gladly give to the
Emperor Of the French and the people he
represents, 10 all who may from time TO time
surround him, we distinctly refuse to carry our
complaisance to that pitch; and we tell the
MOniteur and the men who inspire it that they
must be prepared with far better answers TO
the charges which have appeared-not in our
own columns, but those of our contemporaries
than the simple allegation shat such charges
are anonymous, and that they are only worthy
of contempt"
The charges which may have appeared in
the English press are not on that account to be
assumed rs true; neither are they, because
Anonymous, TO be assumed as fsl7e but the
fact of their appearing in a respectable jour
nal, is a sufficient reason for answering :heir
statements 10y some better and more conViHc
ing response than al assumption of superCili-
ous contempt.
The Moniteur speaks of danger to the alliance.
Well! We will speak out of the dangers to that AZ
lance. There is danger to the alliance, but that
uabRST pIOCCeus, not HOEl TIC Just anu HOueSb
structures OF the English press on public men whose
characters are public property, but from the con-
duct Of some who, raised suddenly to high office,
seem inclined to enter a career at once fatal to
France and false to England. Those are the worst
enemies OF the French and English alliance who
can See in government no higher aim than their
own interest, aud so become careless OF the welfare
OF the nation and the trust cOnfded to them. Such
men, for instance view in the negotiations for a
treaty of peace excellent opportunity for reVi-
ing and crushing the press of small but free state;
and we are driven to it by the MOnituer, we must
confess that we saw with shame and disgust how
easily our own peDipotsHtares were beguiled by
the snaTe spread for them before their very eyes.
Again, we are not ignorant OF the colossal fortunes
that have been realized within the last few years
by men who till then were plunged in the depths
OF indulgence. We have observed with dismay
the rise to the surface of the financial pool Of vast
bubbles; we have witnessed the most reckless and
gigantic private speculation combined with the d.
reeton OF public affairs; and have seen with
deep regret that, instead of doing everything in
their power 10 check the rising spirit of gambling
some high in Office and fav0r in France have lieut.
the whole influence of their position and their eX.
ample TO stimulate and exaggerGte the evil. We
have also observed with pain that the government
of France has conducted its operations in many re-
spects ostentatously in defiance OF the ascertaned
and recognized principle of political economy, and
thus provoked a collapse which, come when il may,
cannot fail to be injurious to the government Gala
mltOus to France, and deeply prejudicial to this
country. We detest the restrictions on personal
liberty in France. We abhor her whole system of
passports aud lie attendant snnOyauces 1t is idle
10 tell that the free discussion OF these things is
inconsistent with the alliance between France and
England. IL is because We are allies to an extent
which no merely political act can make us-allies in
commerce as we'll as in arms because France can
not suffer without nficting corresponding suffer-.
lngs on Engand-that We now claim to exercise the
right TO discuss measures and men 10 which We Is
well as she are deeply interested.
The honiteur and its injudiciOus prompters have
drawn these observations on their own heads We
are 80 used in England TO the free expression OF
opinion that We cannot consent to DO deprived OF
the privilege Of discussing the public affairs of the
world 10 suit the convenience Of any one whatever
and We sincerely regret TO find the Aoniteur n-
structed to represent that diminution of the res.
Pect paid to the liberty of the press in England is
the price that must be paid for the continuance Of
the French alliance. As regards our national poll
cy, we are ready to do all that be required
from the most faithful and generous ally, but il is
otherwise with the internal government aud organ.
zation of England That is sacred and involable
aud believe there is no sacrifice that this coun,
try would not submit TO rather than suffer them 20
DC asslmliated 70 tue Continental standard.
The honiteur warns the English people against
the dangers. OF a system" freedom OF the press)
(which by destroying the confidence between the
two governments, would tend to dlsuniIe the two
nations" We answer that we are warned already
We know what the freedom of the press costs us
we know what il is worth to us. Itcosts US some
abatement OF sympathy and cordially from the ab-
soute aud repressive governments. IL is worth to
Us all that We have been, all that we shall be. Nor
do We lack warnings on the oLherside. We see that
the moment government interleres with the liber-
~ OF the press t merely depryes itself OF the
best guide 10 the feelilgs Of the people, but also