Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-07-24
Freedom OF Speech.

The Republican party, upon their organ zation,
nnfurled upon their banner as a leading motto,
Free speech, free press and free men," Most
bitterly have they denounced all attempts to
suppress the free expression of sentiment whether
by voice or pen. Who can forget the thousands
Of panegyrics which appeared in the Republican
prints which came from Republican orators upon
what was pronounced then the God given rihts
of freemeni Now a change has come over their
ideas of liberty-of freedom. Soon we expect it
will be pronounced disloyal to even criticise and
oppose the governmental policy of party admin
istration, particularly of such utterances as ap-
pear in Democratic papers or come from Demo
Gratis. In fact, the Journal publishes commu
nication without dissent, in which 1.-THE prompt
suppression, or extirpatiOn, of all disloyal con
due. or utterances by speech or press, is propo
sed, and ga public meeting to consider and act
upon this vitality important matter, Is suggested
We suppose the writer intends that public meet
ing shall determine what conduct or utterances'
are loyal or disloyal. and who are loyal citizens
that may exercise "the freedom of discussion OF
all questions of policy"
We do not believe there is q citizen in the loyal
of the Union and the Constitution, formed by
the patriots of the Revolution. BY some it may
be thought that the subjugaton of the secession
lists is the only remedy, or as Mr.. HICKMAN, in a
speech in Congress recently expressed it, it may
be necessary for the eighteen northern States to
make the wheels of their chariots of war sink so
deep in southern soil that the prints shall be left
for a century to come" Others eqnally loyal
and equally anxious to maintain the Government,
without a star representing the constitution of
States stricken from the flag, may think that a
willing submission to the laws and public policy
of the nation constitutes its strength and is its
crowning glory. This class may likewise think
that while the sword is drawn to maintain the in
tegrity and vindicate the honor of the Govern
ment, that the Olive Branch of peace should go
with it-that mercy should be tempered with jus
tice. Is it the intention of "the free speech and
free press party to promptly suppress or extir
pate such conduct OF utterances by speech or
press? The elder PITr boldly and eloquently
to subugate the British Colonies and predicted the
consequences that would follow such war. Has
it ever been thought by any American that such
''utterances' should have been suppressed or that
such "free speech" was "pestilent heresyf'
Although CHATHAM opposed the policy of his
government and the prevailing sentiment Of
the British people. the result verified his
sagacity and craftsmanship. If his policy had
been adopted, the American colonies might YET
have been the brightest jewels in the British
crown. The constitutional rights and liberties o.
the citizen i'm this free Republican Government
will prove but shadow il the Chicago Platform
interpreted by public meeting is to determine
his loyalty OF disloyaty. or his right to discuss
the policy of the Government. Daily have w
evidences presented that the "party of freedom,
as the Republicans have claimed to be pa
excellence, are making rapid strides toward des
potism, which might be the envy cf the legitimist
Of the Old World, who believe that kings AM
parties rule by divine right.