The independent. (Harrisonburg, La.) 1853-18??, 1861-05-08


longer conduct the paper IN conformity with
its title, and dependent mouth piece we
can have nothing to DO With. There Is not on
Gods green earth more odious restriction
any where upon the freedom Of tho press,
than that which prevails in the Confederate
States at this time. The fact is notorious
and spoken Of far yand'wide. In nothing
that we have said, have we uttered anything
reasonable. We have violated no law. We
have never at any time in the remotest man
ner, touched private character: or private re-
lations. Our press has opposed with the
little ability it has possessed, the secession and
disunion doctrines that are now in the as.
cendant. We have been honest: and con
scisplious in so doing. This we believe ID
coucssAd to US. But, the objections now
urged against the further discussion Of the
secession priuciple@is, that. disunion is now
an accomplished fact, and that it is impoli.
tic now to speak freely Of the character o.
the new government under which we have
been placed, by the appliances ofcouventions
and without tho approval. Of the people
That anything now said in regard to the
government Of the Confederacy, or Of the
manner in which it has been brought about
only serves to create the impression abroad
that there is disunion among ourselves and a
portion Of our people dissatisfied with the
new order Of things.
We might refer to the fact that the Sc very
reasons were the ones upon which the sedi
ton act Of 1893 wis founded. That ac'
prescribed penalties against writing, printing
or publishing any thing disparaging to the
government. With all its tyranny, it al
lowed the accused party the right approving
the truth Of the libellous matter charged
against him. That law, thus infringing the
freedom Of the press, brought down upon
the administration Of the elder Adams the
indignant condemnation Of the whole peo-
rl". Under the ensuing administration oil
Mr.. Jefferson, the great principle was in,
augurated that the press shall in fact as we'll
as in name be free; free to speak any thing
it may choose to speak Of the government,
Of public men As such, and Of public mea-
sures; it being better that this privilege
should be abused, than that the freedom Of
the press should be restricted in the slight
est degree. This great principle has been
recognized and acted upon as one Of the
pillars Of American freedom fer sixty years.
Ever sisSe its recognition, the press has
,apoksslsst during wsr and during peace, at
my una ~ tsrusr;; va.ssv.r .4earose-to
say aboat IT, government or public mea
sures, o. Ne public acts Of public officers;
and although the privilege has been often
aod greatly abused, yet the abuse has been
tolerated in consideration Of the absolute
necessity in nee country, Of having free
press.
The reasons offered f. the sedition Law
we're utterly ignored up - the incoming Of
Mr.. Jefferson's administration. They are
not worth rush now. No reason Gun *
gisen u Jre ooAs1vy for ~ sligksex re-
ssyict;oa spos ne fcsdem Of tie press in sAs
discussion Of the character Of government,
it, measures and affain Of every lind and oil
ate public acts Of psIl;c men.
We know that BY the Constitution Of the
Confsderacy it is provided tha. laws shall
not be made to abridge the freedom Of the
press; and We know that no laws have been
enacted In contsaveption Of that clause. But
We are also apprised that there are, all ore,
this confedsracy, appliances brought to bea.
upon the freedom Of the prsss more potent
tkaa lava. We desire not 10 b understood
tha& ~ hare felt il any direct o. imms.
|dials napass, The fsrce Of such appliances
but il y ssesgh . ksow that they do exist
d ) nnfostunats ~ ~, that il discussing tn
pissiplss Ct ~ new cooslitutiou 8 al
other Constitnliess ~ discsased, " havl
incurred. csasuse-P eFhaps our gfavest d
fesss i, that " bsve feqasstl3 dsmosssrs
~ and have The power q any time 10 de-
noqslsats, thAt secession must and vii
assstua3iy inpais the security of Southstr
iustitulioss, let the feasful crisis Il has pss
sipitatsd, terminate how il may. We leal
fkat - speaking the truth boldly We maxi
esspiss. We prefer under such circum
stances. 70 withdraw from the arena o
psiitin = public Journalists, and this, iii,
more willingly. = " have 10 the presep