Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-01-18
Freedom of the Press.


the madness of despotic power in tearing down the
oulWarks of civil liberty, is a proof that when
free people become fanatical and judciay blinded,
they are no longer capable of self government But
this does not prove that the people of the South,
while they retain their Senses are alike incapable
Here, the principle undergoing a test per-
haps the last test which will be made in a century,
IL 1t should fall 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 a fair one, and ultimately successful.
We have an abiding confidence in the great body
Of the Southern people-in their honesty and pa
trotism, 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-
iance of the aegressions Of military power. But
We warn them to keep their eyes open.
In order to the maintenance Of these great prin-
ciples, every attempt the slightest to strike
down freedom of speech, the liberty Of the press,
the right to discuss and to challenge the conduct Of
public affairs By our representatives government
cDciaIs either cirI military and the sacred right
of hdbeGs 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 AMI 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 readers aware
that this very question is now being discussed in
secret session by the Confederate Congress at Rich
mondl! 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, for any newspaper to publish information of
the number disposition or movements OF any OF
the forces OF the army navy; or the cargo or ar
mament Of any vessel in the naval service; or the
description of any battery, fertilization or military
invention; of any signal 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-
priving the people of the freedom of speech, of the
right to discuss investigate the conduct of
their public agents. or to nulfy or suspend hdbeas
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 blamable. But
is the government faultless? Serious charges have
been made against the departments, time and again,
under the very Of the government, of appoint
ing Yankee spies to office, and other acts of indis-
creton. These charges have been made so often,
by the Erdniner 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-
viousy advised by Lincoln spies. Why does not
the government purge its own departments of Lin
coin spies? Why not put an end entirely to its
miserable passport system across the lines, by which
the enemy Is kept fully advised Of all our move
mentS? Why not institute more rigid police in
Richmond, and throughout the South, to rid the
country of the spies and pumps which nfest it Let
the government look at home and itself first of
its own shortcomings.
But we do not take offence at this movement be-
cause it would at all affect our course. We have
always been open to admonition upon this subject
We would publish nothing which could enure to
ton assaiIs the sacred rights of the preSslays the
axe at the root of the tree of liberty, which we
would guard with unwinking vigilance.
And where is the need for the bill 3? None what
ever. Let the President Secretary of War ad-
dress circular privately to the propretors of the
Southern press requesting them to avoid such pub
LEGATIONS as he may desire. If this were done no
press in the South would for a moment disregard
it. If single instance were to occur, in which an
| editor disregarded such request public opinion
would frown him down instantly. This is govern
| ment of public opinion. Pains and penalties are
not needed to restrain patriotic people from pam
| derng to the public enemy. No set of men in the
| South are patriotic than those who are con-
nected with the public press and any attempt to in
fringe their rights by the exercise of dcspotic power
will be resisted by the people. We warn the rep
resentatves of the people in Congress to look into
this matter and act wisely by letting it alone. The
course we suggest above would cure the evil com.
planned of in ten days, and would give offence to no
one.