Weekly Trinity journal., 1859-04-16
Gbt gonrnal,
Weayervillr, Saturday Morning, April l6, 1859
The Prcs.--Libcrt, md Lieentiou-ne...

WWNtrNlllt, Mlurudl M0rlllHg, april lO lcj9'
The Prcss---Libcrfy and Licentiou-ness.
An Assembly bill proposes to so amend the
Practice Act, that contempt of courts may be
more severely punished. From slight under
standing of the proposition, we infer that it is
designed as a restraint on the licentiousness and
malice of newspapers which are now endeavoring G
to destroy all confidence in the highest tribunal
Of the commonwealth. Sacred as we esteem the
rightful liberties of the press we would not resist
an act which would condemn aud imprison the
slanderer; the honorable and truthful journalist
would suffer no restraint by provision to scotch
the venomous reptiles who, protected by the
sacred shield of liberty, and in the guise of a
popular advocate, seek to destroy the means Of
justice instituted by the people themselves.
For long time low-spirited but vindictive
journal has been going about telling dismal
tale of private wrong, and invoking tears from
every eye from which moisture could be extrac-
ted. People are implored to pronounce the Su-
preme Court trio Of conspirators and tyrants,
and to withdraw all confidence from their Court.
The disconsolate and inconsolable one runs back
and forth, wringing his hands, torturing his eye
lids, and moaning piteously. And for what? We
are ashamed TO tell it, fellow citizens, for the
credit of the independent press, we would conceal
that all this strepor is made at the cessation of a
gratuity, scarcely worth the paper on which the
pitiful fractions might be made Ineligible. All
evidence declares that no wrong has been done;
not mill has been withheld from importunate
justice; but pension has been stopped by an
independently acting clerk, and for this cause,
and ne other three citizens chosen by majority
of the people, are submitted to daily insult and
ealumny.
We maintain that the State having placed cit
liens in defenceless positions should protect their
rights; their regulations should be guarded from
traducement Who are these men thus daily
exposed to the contempt of the people by a pri-
Vate enemy? Men who were selected by ma
jority of the people who esteemed them worthy
of chief judicial dignity. OF one, at least, we
can speak from personal knowledge-Stephen J.
Field, q man distinguished for learning purity of
life and citizen integrity. We have never beard
n reputable and honest man say aught against
him. And is it likely that, placed in a conspic-
uous place of honor, this man, spotless in repu-
tation, would stoOp to an act of meanness for
Wnlcn no possible reward could be expected The
suppositon is too absurd TO be entertained with
out derison.
This in illustration: The liberty of the press,
like all other immunities, has certain limits; we
would have that liberty extend concident and
coextensive with justice and truth-no further.
And we assert, with regret and shame, that under
the sacred charter Of " independence" monstrous
iniquites have been committed Malice blind |
with venom, has pursued his victims; hypocracy
compromising with the devil with one hand and |
lingering the sacraments with the other has |
skulked among honorable men; avarice, with his |
Wrinkled forehead, SANDER, fresh from the baptism
of he'll revenge with the mould of secret hiding
places on his bastard facial have prostituted
that one inestmable privilege of free speech |
which God ordaip, may never be abridged TO the !
contend for fraction of its right than we; but |
possessing the power to poison the happiness of |
others and aid in destruction of regulations which
have been the result of exact rectitude of life |
we will abandon the slanderer to the mercy of
the law, and point out the reasonable conspra-
tor whose aim is anarchy. We loathe the dstiler
of calumny more than the toad which grows to
detestable dimensions in the breaches of a sepul- |
chre. We care not whether he whispers in the |
privacy of obscurity, or writes in the phraseology
of refined but deviliSh malice, we abhor him. as
we should detest reptile that had gorged on the |
marrow of corpse.