Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1861-08-27
Freedom of Speech and Free.
dom Of the Press. s


Among the guaranteed rights of Ameri-
can citizens, it is established that printing
presses shall be free to every person who
undertakes to examine any branch of the
Government and that no laws shall be
made to restrain the freedom thereof tits
also declared by our constitution that the
free communication of thoughts and opin-
ions is one of the estimable rights of man,
and that every citizen may speak, write, or
print on any subject whatever and DO pro-
tected in that right by the laws of the
country.
But how are these precious rights of
American citizens respected at the present
time? Is freedom of speech and freedom
of the press allowed Are loyal American
citizens permitted to express their opinions
without being called to an account7 By no
means
There is censorship of the press estab-
lished in this country that would put the
tyranny of Cromwell or Napoleon to
shame. All over the Northern States of
our Confederacy, the newspapers are being
called to an account by the Government
authorities land what is still worse-by
reckless Abolition mobs for the expression
of opinions. Numerous papers have been
suppressed by the authority of military
commanders and others have been demo-
ished by mobs. Editors have been torn
from their homes and plastered with tar
and feathers and brutality treated for ex-
pressing opinions offensive to the leaders
of the dominant party. Outrages of this
kind are of daily occurrence. Several of
them have occurred in different parts of
the New England States, in Ohio and other
Republican States within the past week -
Private property has been wantoDly de,
stroyed, and personal rights outraged and
trampled upon. Indeed the days of dark
ness have come upon u.s. There is no long.
er any safety in the expression of opinions.
If contrary to the ruling party or inimical
to the sentiments of the msjority, personal
safety and the rights of property are at the
mercy OF Infatuated fanatics.
And notwithstanding the occurrence of
all these outrages, the Administration. nor
the Republican press has uttered one word
of condemnation. No proclamation has
been issued by the President against such
violation Of constitutional and civil rights
And not one word of censure of such he'll
iish conduct has appeared in the 7Fibunes,
the Journals, the Expresses, or the other
leading organs of Republicaaism.
Great God, has it come to this Are
free and loyal American citizens to be de-
prived of their most estimable rights with
out trial or being allowed the opportunity
Of defense? So it seems.
If this prOscriptive policy be not repudi
ated by the Administration and the leaders
of the party in power away goes our boast
ed constitutional freedom. /, is no excuse
Tor these outrages to urge that the rebels
are guilty of similar ones. There is moth
ing which proves the corruption of the
times or the incapacity of man for self.gov
eminent more than acts of violence. or
even menacing threats against those who
differ in political or religious opinions.
Where now is the freedom of speech and
freedom of the press promised so profusely
In Republican electioneering times? Let
the recent acts of violence in enlightened
New England answer. Surely it would
seem that all newspapers, except those Of
Abolition proclivities are to be suppressed.
This intollerart policy is drifting US into
desPotism as fast as we can 90. The
strong mailed hand of military power is
graphing at our throats. Awake, freemen
to realization of the dangers that threaten
you If the surging tide of mobacracy
and lawlessness be not rebuked farewell
to liberty, and long farewell to the bless
ings resulting from our glorious institu-
tions.
In the name of the patriots Of the Revo
luton, We raise our appeal in behalf of the
freedom Of speech and the freedom Of the
press-priviieges formidable to tyrants
alone. We beseech the President and the
public press generally to discountenanee
these atrocities against the conscience,
against the personal liberty and freedom of
American citizens.