Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-01-22

Freedom of the Press.
Ane readiness of the Northern people to yield to
tue madness Of despo,ic power in tearing down the
ouiwarks of civil liberty, is a proof that when a
iree people become fanatca and judicially blinded,
they are no longer capable of self government But
tins does not prove that the people of the South,
"hhe they retain their senses arc alike incapable
mere, the principle IS undergoing severe test per-
maps the last test which will be made in q century,
1t should fail; and it behooves the great body Of
the Southern people to look narrowly to the history
OF current events if they intend that the test shall
be fair one, and ultimately successful
We have an abiding confidence in the great body
OF the Southern people-in their honesty and pa
triotsm and in Their devotion to the great princi-
pies of constitutional liberty. We believe they
will maintain these intact, in spite of the chicanery
of corrupt politicians and demagogues, and in de-
hance of the asgrcssions of military power. But
We warn them to keep their eyes open.
In order to the maintenance Of these great prin-
cples, every attempt the slightest, to strike
down freedom of speech, the liberty Of the press,
the right to dscuss and to challenge tile conduct Of
putlic Affairs by Representatives. or government
ceials either ciul military and the sacred right
OF habeas corpus must be watched with the utmost
vigilance, and put down promptly. Our represen-
tatives and public officers of every grade must be
held to the most rigid accountability.
One among the first and most dangerous assaults
upon the liberties of the people usually attempted
by the enemies of Freedom is the attempt to fetter
the freedom Of the press. Are our readers aware
that this very question is now being discussed in
secret session by the Confederate Congress at Rich
mond!! Our Richmond cotemporares inform us
that bill has been introduced, to put the news
papers under the surveillance of the authorities.
The Richmond Examiner says:
1--WE learn that the provisions of the bill make
it penal offence, punishable by fine and imprison-
ment, ior any newspaper to publish information of
the number, disposition or movements Of any Of
the forces OF the army or navy; or the cargo or ar
mament OF any vessel in the naval service; or the
desert ptOn of any battery, fertilization military
invention; or of any signal or flag employed or
adopted by the commanding officer Of any post"
Will the Southern people submit to this entering
wedge to despotic rule? If So let them get ready
to yield every shred of civil freedom. If the Con-
gress in the face of the Constitution have the right
to pass such BILL what is to hinder them from de-
privng the people Of the freedom Of Speech of the
right to discuss or to investigate the conduct of
tkeir public agents, or to nulfy or suspend habeas
corpus'
| We do not claim entire immunity from blame for
the public press Of the South. There have been IN
stances in which they were justly blau'able. But
is the government faultless? Serious charges have
been made against the departments, time and again,
under the very nose of the government Of appoint
ing Yankee spies to Office, and other acts of indis
! cretion. These charges have been made SO often
by the Eraminer especially, that the public is be-
| ginning to credit them. The newspapers may have
! been imprudent but it cannot be shown that the
enemy has taken advantage of any publication in
the Southern press. Of which he had not been pre-
! viously advised by Lincoln spies. Why does moi
the government purge its own departments Of Lin
coin spies? Why not put an end entirely to its
miserable passport system across the lnes by which
the enemy Is kept fully advised Of all our move
ments? Why not institute more rigid police ir
! Richmond, and throughout the South to rid tht
country of the spies and pumps which infest it Lei
the government look at home and cure itself first o
its own shortcomings.
But we do not take offence at this movement be
cause it would at all affect our course We hav'
always been open to admonition upon this subject
We would publish nothing which could enure t.
the enemy's benefit. But the bill under considera
ton assails the sacred rights Of the press-ays tn
axe at the root Of the tree of liberty, which W
would guard with unwinking vigilance.
And where is the need for the bill None what
ever. Let the President or Secretary of War ad
dress circular privately to the proprietors OF tn
Southern press, requesting them to avoid such pub
lications as he may desire. If this were done n
press in the South would for a moment disregar
/ it. If single instance were to occur, in which a
editor dsrcgarded such request, public opinio
would frown him down instantly. This is govern
mcnt of public opinion Pains and penalties ar
not needed to restrain patriotic people from par
dering to the public enemy. No set of men in tn
South are more patriotic than these who are cor
nected with the public press, and any attempt to il
fringe their rights by the exercise Of despotic powe
will be resisted by the people We warn the rel
resentatives of the people in Congress to look int
this matter and act wisely by letting it alone. Tt
course VIC suggest above would cure the evil con
planned Of in ten days, and would give offence to
. one. Y
FREE TKADE.-The propriety Of suspending