White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1860-08-23
Liberty of Speech.

Liberty OF speech and of the press
have been almost extinguished in Geor.
gia and other Southern States, of late
years, upon the question of slavery, by
the leaders of the Democracy. And no
paper has done more to sustain this reign
Of terrorism than the Confederacy itself,
but from the following article it appears
that the bitter cup has been commended
to its own lips and those Of Gov. johnson.
We wish these new advocates of tolera-
ton Of opinion every success, in their
war against intolerance.
From the Southern Confederacy.
Gov. johnson by appointment ad-
dressed the citizens of Macon on Satur-
day evening, the 30th ult. We have
the most reliable information that this
distinguished Georgian was treated with
great disrespect by his political enemies.
1t is a blighting stigma upon the fair es-
cutcheon of Macon that such was the case
Gov. johnson is a gentleman, Geor-
gian, National Democrat, a true and
tried advocate of Southern rights, a
man of untarnished honor and integri-
ty, and a statesman of pre-eminent abili-
ty. And why he should be insulted and
hung in efligy upon his own native soil
is more than we can understand. We
can only say to those that were guilty Of
so foul and cowardly a deed, that we
are conscious of the fact that no gentle
man had any completely whatever in so
damning a disgrace as that Offered by the
dastards of Macon to so distinguished q
son of Georgia as Herschel V. johnson.
We say further, that we know the fact
that the parties who were engaged in Of
fering insults to Gov. johnson. at Ma
con, are q set of nefarious scoundrels,
cowarily traitors and the basest pal
troons.
Gentlemen never offer indignities to
respectable citizens representing political
parties at any time. Honest differences
of opinion and the freedom Of speech is
the essence and quintessence of true De-
mocracy. And this spirit Of intolerance
that is manifesting itself at the South by
the opponents of Stephen A. Douglas is
the spirit of cowardice, and can only ex-
list in the hearts of paltroons and mid
night assassins. If gentlemen differ from
the position taken by Judge Douglas and
his advocates, it is their right, as freemen,
and nobody questions it. But at the
same time the friends of Judge Douglas
have an equal right to oppose Mr.. Brock
inridge and Mr.. Bell, and in so doing
are in the exercise of their rights as free
men. Let political opponents meet as
gentlemen and discuss all questions at is
sue, freely and fully, as becomes gentle
men, and not assume the attitude OF
beasts and ingrates, and undertake by
brute force to prevent any man from ut
tering his honest convictions. No gen
tleman will countenance any other course.
And we fearlessly declare that there was
not agentleman engaged in offering indig-
mites to Gov. johnson at Macon, nor has
such an idea entered the brain of any
gentleman in any part Of the State-nor
can there be found perfect gentleman
in the broad limits Of the Union who
will by trick, or indirection in any manner
whatsoever, countenance any indignity
to a gentlemanly exercise Of the freedom
Of speech.
when parties arc fortified with truth
and impregnable principle, they invite
discussion. But when they stand upon
the quicksands Of falschood and decep-
ton, they are ever ready, by brute force
and cowardice TO override truth and prin-
ciple to save themselves from immediate
ignomy and disgrace. If men desire in
formation, and desire TO act as become
patriots, they are always ready TO hear
and inform themselves.
These remarks are intended alone for
that class of men who have manifested a
disposition to insult. to decry. to mis-
represent, and to stihe the voice of each
and every man who happens not to be-
licve as they do.