The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-08-22

tion Of W t9t the rghs, functions and purposes of
q frae nresy are. There is no law or principle
h;h reouir es the press TO be always in the right
:, ,ooce or w:sr sensation contributor to the
New York Ledger might besupposed to know this
The interests of the world and Of truth and liberty
demand, not wise discussion merely, but free dis
cusson, so that the people may determine which
side is right and wise-which side is wrong and
unwise. The press exercises the functions of the
advocate, and the people are the Judges. The
press accuses and prosecutes, and the press de-
tends. The people say, "guilty" or 'not guilty"
and it is their right and highest interest when
their rulers trial, TO hear bold and unres-
tricted prosecution, not less than free and bold
defence. Mr.. EVERETT, on the contrary, would
have them think that the accused has the right to
assume his own neutrality-suspicious. his own
favorable verdict on himself, in advance, and then
throttle the counsel and shut up the court
That is his idea of freedom of discussion. 1t may
not suit London BOSTON,, but it is the thing for
Malta (Baltimore)! Let US suppose for an
instant however, that Mr.. LINCOLN and Mr.
EVERETT are not in@llible or without sim
1t is barely possible, and we will assume
it for the sake of the argument. Let us
suppose that Mr. LINCoLN's war is unwise uncon-
stitutiona, impolitic and wicked; that his whole
policy is perverse, corrupt and ruinous-certan
to destroy all hope of return, in any shape, to our
former political and fraternal relations Many
persons already believe all this to be true. Sup
pose it to be true in fact. Surely the people have
the right to know it, and ought to know it..
Surely it is the province of he press to enlighten
them in regard TO it. Is the press to lie prevented
from doing so-are the people to be prevented
| from knowing the truth-because we are in a
| time of war? The existence of this very evil
| concerning which the people require to be en-
lightened-is it reason for preventing the press
from enlightening them? Is the predomnancco
| fasehood conclusive reason for suppressing the
truth? II so, what is the press meant for? Is
the press simply q peace establishment? Has it
nothing to do, but sing hosannas as soon rs the
| drums beat? Is it bound 10 say that the Govern
ment is right and procludel from saying that the
Government is wrong, so long as it sheds blood {
These questions answer themselves, and they
answer Mr.. EVERETT also If he is right,
the press is dead, when it should be most
alive. If he is right, the freedom OF the press
consists in its subserviency to power, when
power is armed and most dangerous to public lib
crty, If he is right, the essence of free speech
consists in being silent, and the substance of free
discussion consists in being prohibited from advo
eating more than one side. If he is right the
founders of the Constitution were wrong when
they declared Congress shall make no law
''abridging the freedom of speech or of the press
The EDWARD EVERETT who desires that tht
President shall do, by his cdict, and enforce by
his arms, what Con gress cannot do without sub
verting the Constitution, is the same Mr.. EVERETT
who, but few months ago, was candidate fol
the Vice-Presidency of the United States under
the banner of ''The Constitution, the Union, and
'the Enforcement of the Laws" Long live
EDWARD EVERETT