Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-04-24
1rhe Duty of the Press.

There are few men in the community who
have not sense enough to appreciate the proper
province of the press, the libertlity to permit
even the publication of the necessary intelligence
to understand public opinion and sympathies, or
the opposing views of different sections of the
country We do not subscribe to all the senti-
ments We extract from other papers, and in pub
fishing them we do not think il necessary in all
cases to express our approval or disaprobation
thereof For instance, we give this morning ex
tracts from Tennessee and Kentucky papers to
show Drift of public sentiment in those States
as matters about which we should be informed.
Dethe people of Indiana desire to be kept ignorant
of the view their neghbors of Kentucky take as to
the present crisis of the country and their duty in
reference therefor Is it wise to suppress such IN
formation? And the same remark viii apply to
the sta>e Of public sentiment in other sections OF
the country The author of the Declaration OF
Independence said that even error might be toler-
ated If truth was left free to combat it. But
here are men in every community Of such mar
row minds that they would not even allow the
truth to be told, if it should run counter to their
opinions.
We are behind no man in devotion to constitu-
tional liberty, TO the flag We owe willing allegi
ance and in sincere purpose to promote the honor
he progress and prosperity of our country. We
we're born, raised and expect to die under the
protection of the proud emblem of our nation
elity, and what We have Of talent, Of strength
and substance have always been, and are now
devoted TO maintain it ,sssullied by foreign do
nestle foe. And what does that flag guarantee,
to all who owe it allegiance2 Read
Congress shall make no law respecting the es
.ablishmsnt Of religion. OF prohibiting the fire.
exercise thereof; OF sbridging the freedom o
speech. Or of the press OF the right Of the PEG
lie peaceably to assemble and to petition tn
government for redress of grievances.
Whenever the freedom Of speech, or Of tn
press, in the discussion Of any subjnct in a re
spectful manner. is prevented restricted by ei
Their law Of Congress, or despotic majority
then farewell to Republican libertyl-the glory O
our institutions will have departed. We inten
to do what we conceive to be the duty of pa
triotic citizen boldly and fearlessly, and wheneve
the time comes that we can not publish indie
pendent rress-when we cannot freely discuss tn
issues Of the day as becomes freeman--w
shall surrender our post to those willing to be
come slaves When the American flag ceases {
protect American citizens in the full enjoyment c
the rights and privileges which distinguish us a
nation Of freemen, its stars and stripes will n
lOnger e1cite the enthusiasm in patriotic brea:
hat it now inspires.
We have made these comments in response I
the following anonymous communication whic
we received through the PostoiRce last evening
We see with regret that you persist in copyn
ezfracts from journals who are enemies to OF
country, and by 50 doing you fan the spark {
Gisunion, and comfort our enemies. This, OF