The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1861-09-13
FREEDOM OF SPEECH, &C.

ton of the United States is regarded as an OBJ
solete idea by some o. the whipper snappers of
the Republican party, as we'll as their Abolition
leaders IN this vicinity, it is we'll occasionally
to refer to the principles and landmarks estab-
llshed by that ancient document for the obser-
vance of the people and their government.-
Among The prerogatives explicitly guaranteed
land which Is held sacred even in monarchIal
England) IS the freedom of speech and of the
press-a right which, for the first time in sixty
years, ls now sought to be, and is, tramplrd un-
der foot by Abolition mobs. The Constitution
provides as follows -
"Congress shall make TO law respecting an
establishment ofreligion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof, or ABRIDGING THE FREE
DOM OF SPEECH OR OF THE PRESS, or
the right of the people peaceafly to assemble
aud TO petition the Government for a redress OF
grleVances."-Consttution ofthe United States
Of -Hmerica.
Judge A. G. Miller, ofthe United States Dis
trict Court OF Wisconsin, position which he
has ably filled for many years, IN a late charge
to the Milwaukee Grand jury, clearly defined
the law and the invariabl- usage OF the Courts
OF this country in regard to these subjects. 1t
may not be out OF place for US to state that
Judge Miller is native OF Cumberland Coun-
ty, IN this State, was raised and educated in
Carlisle, from whence he emigrated to Wiscon-
SIN some thirty-ive years ago, and has for
long time sustained the reputation OF a learned,
able and honest Jurist. In his charge, he
says
eternal vigilance is the price OF liberty, and
"the tree communication OF thoughts and opin-
ions is one Of the invaluable rights of man, sub
Ject to responsibility for ITS abuse" These
principles are engrafted into our very nature as
free American citizens. | mean the liberty OF
the press and free discussion among men, upon
all subjects relative 10 their duties and their
rights as free citizens but no lIcentIouSneSs of
The press and factiOus and scurI llous abuse and
misrepresentation OF men in places of public
trust, which is the bane of free governments.
In thIs lime OF excitement, and disposition to
cast off restraints OF law, some men, under the
digulse OF extreme love OF country, may be dis
posed TO indulge their envy, hatred, malice and
lli-w'll toward others probably much more wor-
thy and patriotic than themselves. Men may
assume a standard Of patriotism and loyalty Tor
themselves, but they cannot be permitted to
pronounce other men traitors who do not, IN
their opinion, come up to that standard. The
Constitution and Laws OF the United States de-
fine the crime Of treason and by which every
man is TO be tried. There is no proprIety in
this free North, where every man is loyal to
the Government, and where we hold no person
in bondage, of naugurating a system OF secret
police. In times Of excitement, as men are
more apt TO be Jealous than wise, we should
keep before US The example of France, when
the reign Of terror became so lntole-able that
all classes Of men Were glad TO seek rrfuge un-
der military despot. In tins country it is
proper and perhaps necessary that there should
be variety OF sentiment upon every subec! of
governmental policy. Here, where the voice
of the people rules the nation, free discussion is
necessary and proper for public Instruction.
From the Declaration OF Independence to the
present day there has not been one great pnn-
ciple of policy established without free, open
and manly discussion, and it is not probable
that there ever will be, so long as the people
continue to be free citizens under Cons,itu-
tional form OF Government. Congress is pro-
hibited by the Constitution from passing any
law abridging the freedom OF speech or Of the
press. Men at this time OF excitement shoud
avoid personal elimination and recrininaton"