The Trinity journal., 1856-05-17
Liberty of Speech.

The much talked of set discussion between /
Col Zabriskie (dcm.) and Col. Bates IRE
publican) came off in Sacramento in front
Of the Orleans Hotel, on last Saturday eve
ming. without the shedding Of blood What
an announcement to be made i'll free and
enlightened land Two persons meeting in
friendly manner to discuss the question OF
cxpediency of the Government without the
shedding of blood, and yet it is proper at
we take pleasure in doing so as it is the very
best that we have on the subject The Re
publicsns called a meeting in Sacramento
some time previous to the time the discus
sion came off and were prevented from
speaking by persons far more Objectionable
than a quiet Republican could be. We
have no sympathy with the Republican par
ty: at the same time they have just as much
right to hearing and to be heard by those
that assemble for that purpose as any other
people, and the persons that deny this right
to them only lack the power to pervert this
Government into monarchy and blot out
its fair name. Meeting after meeting was
called and finally by the mdomitabc energy
of Col Zabriskie, the end desired was ac-
, complished. The parties exchanged their
views on the policy of the Federal Govern
ment without interruption except the throw
: ing Of few eggs. After the meeting was
e adjourned as to the principal speakers, Z.
, S meeting took place in which the remain
) der or remaining persons defined what kind
of speaking they would not have in their
l. city for the time to come. The reader will
d probably get the spirit as well as the letter
G Of the meeting better by publication of the
Il resouton-and here it is:
+ Resolrcd That the people Of this city
+ have been outraged by the discussion OF
! reasonable doctrines ly public ielon, and
that we Will not submit TO such outrages in
i future.
e This resolution referred to Col Bates
= Would not this resolution read much better
s if it had been worded thus: "Res0lred, That
the doctrines put forth by Mr.. Bates do not
C suit us, and that in future we will not hear
e. them discussed" 1t does seem to us that
a much good might have grown out of a re
id solve like this The condemnation woulC
At have been expressed in language strong
in enough to suit the bt.crcst taste that ha
K any respect left for our free institutions
le Allowing the speaker and kindred spirits t(
hold their meetings without a jarring ele
ment would Of itself produce sufficient mo
notOny to dveSt the assemblage of all the
- fascination and excitement usual in politi
" cal campaign. This is the only justliiablC
course Of procedure to break up a meeting
y, of citizens assembled for a legitimate anC
:" pcaccable purpose To refuse our presence
so at their meetings we have a just right to do
!" To say that we will not support any MAJ
10 for Office that entertanS similar views in re
> lation to our institutions ana the compact,
y Of the Government is our right, secured tc
, us by the same power that causes the stars
and stripes to be respected in all quarters of
: the globe But when we say that our neigh
Il Dor shall entertain the same views, cast tho
IL same vote and advocate the same doctrin,
- as ourselves or be deprived Of the privilege
of citizen, we attempt to establish prcce
dent more dangerous to society and ruinou
to civil liberty than theft, robbery burglar
!, and arson combined. This spirit of forcin
- from the rostrum those that differ from Il
~ in sentiment has furnished the fuel an
80 raised the breeze that has famed the fire c
"0 AbOltioniSm and Mormonism to their pres
cnt extent. Let us profit by the past.