The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-10-30

Angel voices murmur low -
OF a land all free from sorrow
Of rest We soon mar know.
List Il they whisper words of promise
l,i.l As they lingef near at even. p 5 il9
Wsitingt to be Joyous bearers 9|
- OF repentant thoughts to heaven:
And it soothes the heart to fancy,
That, mid shades Of life's dark might,
They viii bear the spirit heay onward ~ jas
To the realms Of endless light.
NisceIiaqeo,ps.
-ysdg pepravip of The American Press.
The American press is, to a fearful ex-
tent, in the hands of cowardly, merco-
nary and unprincipled class of men, who
have no regard for truth in dealing with
what is unpopular who cater to the low
est passions Of the multitude, and carica-
ture every movement aiming at the over
throw Of established wrong who are as
destitute Of all fairness in controversy as
they are lacking in sslf-respect; and
whose columns are closed against any re-
ply that may be proffered to their hbellous
accusations. 1t is true, these men repre-
sent the prevailing public sentiment, eth
er in the locality in which they reside, or
in the country at large; but, fearfully de-
moralized as that sentiment is, in many
particulars, they aim to make it still more
corrupt, rather than to change it for the
better. They not only publish all the
lies they can pick up, in opposition to the
struggling cause of humanity, but they
busy themselves in coming lies, which
they audaciously present to their credu-
lous readers az reliable truths. There is
no end to their deception and tergiversa-
ton. Such men are far more dangerous
to society than burglars, incendiaries and
highwaymen. Occupying position Of
solemn trust, and almost awful response
bility-e1erting a potent influence over .
large class of ignorant and unrefecting
minds, who look up to them as teachers
and guides, however deficient in brains or
vicious in morals-they have it alike In
their power and in their disposition to de-
ceive, mislead, circumvent and demoralize
to ruinous extent. Each of them is a
local authority and Of their many read
ers, comparatively few think of question:
ing the authenticity of what is laid before
them, from day to day, or from week to
week.
OF all the daily papers in the United
States, we know of none-not excepting
even the New York 1li6une-which can
be relied upon to give fair and truthful
report of the proceedings of any meeting
upon which public opinion frowns, no
matter how excellent or praiseworthy its
object may be. Take, for example, the
| atrocious Misrepresentation Of the late
Rutland Convention, by the press gener-
ally. The object Of that Convention was,
in good faith, the elevation and advance
ment of the human race; it was called
by hundreds Of intelligent and respectable
men and women, interested in the sup
preston of vice, the promotion of purity,
the abolition Of slavery, the extension Of
peace; it was attended by thousands Of
earnest seekers after the truth, though, Of
course, diverse in some of their ideas and
opinions it provided free platform, and
invited the fullest discussion of every
subject, pro and con, possible under the
circumstances its proceedings were char
aeterized by remarkable order, by rare
dignity and composure, and by an absorb
ing interest never surpassed; it was ad-
dressed by men and women of irreproach-
able character, of wide reputation as eff
cient and eloquent advocates, of superior
intellect and ability, and was singularly
fortunate in being delivered from the
presence of weak and incompetent speak
ers: and, if free inquiry be not crime,
! and freedom of speech not curse, it was
| worthy of universal respect. Yet it was
traduced by the press in advance, with
brszen impudence; twas burlesqued and
distorted in every possible manner when
held |; each Of the reporters with one ex-
ception) was emrilous to make the falsest
and foulest report Of its proceedings; all
over the country, it was proclaimed, by
the electric telegraph, to have been o
Free Love Convention :" and to this
hour the millions Of the readers OF news
papers have been made to believe that II
| was no better than "a cage Of unclean
birds" OF the mighty throng in attend
sncs, but one solitary person appeared a
the advocate Of what is called "free love -
ss against legaliEed and enforced mar.
riage !; and she met with no response, but
on the contrary, with prompt and open
condemnation. Still, this fact is studi-
/ ously suppressed; and still, the Rutland
4 Convention continues to be stigmatiZed q,
q q Free Love Convention" )" and held uT
to public odium, both by the press and
the pulpit-for the pulpit is as mendacious
/ as the press, in every such case. Thai
Convention adopted no resolutions thai
were offered, and made itself responsible
for no sentiments that were uttered on. ii
platform; yet, because Mrs. Julia Branch
uttered her own opinions, on her own 70.
! sponsibiiity, the Convention is Represented
I q having endorsed what she said, and Nc
eorscsion win ever be made of this fou
accusation. Hsnce we say, that such pub
fishers, and editors, and reporters, ar,
I more dangerous to society than common
i incendiaries and burglars, and are NOR,
| justly deserving place in the peniten
tiary. -s.s -
| Take another example. In accordanc,
] with call, numerously and respectabl,
| signed, drawn up In unexceptionabie Ian
l g6aga and IN an excellent spirit, Con
-vention was held, few days since, Il
Utica, n. Y, to consider the cause AMI
the cure Of, evil pa subject of vast com
\ pass and worldwide importance which
hovsvsf difIicnlt of solution, no lover 0
1 his race no candid and upright mind VII
be disposedto treat with isvity or sngeI
As soon q ths call was issued, the Con
i ivention was prejudged by . vsnal prssl
4snd branded q aaethes . Free Loxssi1al