Smyrna times., 1858-03-04
The Press Free.

From time mmemoral the Press has been
the subject of denunciation and the butt Of
yuuueratiun As certain men, from ssme
pecuiarity of their own, either political, per-
sonal, moral or religious, become the mark for
other parties, the Press, in the faithful dis
charge of its DUTY as a servant Of the public,
often finds its defenceless head pursued with
tomahawks, scalping-knives or bludgeons.-
The whole of this arises from misapprehen-
sion of the matter. Although the Press does
speak out with " hundred voices" thunder
toned though they may be. is it not servant
of the public, and like faithful soldier, at the
commanders bidding! What if it is the lever
that moves the world, tearing down the strong
holds Of despoisn, terror to tyrants and evil
rulers, and the herald of liberty, is it not also
the caterer TO the humblest citizen in his varied
wants Verify, it is. To muzzle the press
would be to initiate the example of Napoleon
Ill.,, and make it One-man-pOWer. 1t can be
nude the servant of poteutates, but only to
iorge the chains of despotsm, suppress the hea-
vcn-inkp ring cry 1 am Thy fellow and thy
o,,uai," and wrap tie masses in one night Of
guom and misery But in this country, at
least, il is FREE-tree 10 speak and to work, as
much tor the humblest citizen as the rich and
powerful Let this not be forgotten. There
was time in our national history, when, by
many Of the leaders Of the young Republic, the
same views were entertained, as now prevail
10 Europe,-and they, to screen their own OBJ
Aoxlous conduct from public scrutiny, attempted
to muzze the press by Legislative enactment,
SO they might 90 on revclIIng in luxury enjoy
ed in Official corruption by huod-winhing and
bIndng confding public. We refer to the
4 len and Scdltlon Laws. Thea, however, il
took but tlle effort OH the part OF the people to
discover the cobwebs Tins spread over their
vision, and these, with the weavers, were torn
from the seat Of power, and there was estab-
lished Free Press TO represent free people.
" intelligent man. in this ddy calls IN gueS-
tim the right or pO0sr Of the Press to print
tr4atSoerer The Prjiic mry require, without re-
ference to the merits ur dc merits of the work,
the pIrti's having the same done being respon
s.alc. Aa well might lhe merchant Who sells
the rnpe To the man who hangs himself. or the
llte that IS male the Instrument of death in
t.e hands of The assa>sIn, be made ansW ernble
for their gnod or bad use.
The lawyer does not refuse to counsel the
PRISONER because he is charged with crime lie
acknowledges himself a public servant, and
serves in this capacty.
There is another 4" fossil " notion, "relc of
baroarism,' which is fast being oblitcrated
from even the most narrow, contracted minds.
We mean that profoundly absurdly idea, " the
greater the truth, the greater the libel," AN
absurdity in itself which never could or never
can be reconciled with common sense.
Although there are some who would muzze
the press, even in this day, and sit in judgment
upon, and denounce its work, yet, nevertheless,
THE Press is FREE, and " more light" pom the
subject is almost constantly being developed to
establish the fact