The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1863-06-03
Free speech.

IL legitimate exercise is ia fact only the proper
use Of powers granted by Il" higher " sDd
broader than the Constitution Of the United States
the Law Of nature. Here. uader the civil law,
the exercise OF this right il almost unlimited, and
probably Of no other right is citizen Of this
country more proud.
II We are to credit the asseverauons OF the
copperhead democracy, this inestimable privilege
: nov. for the first time 10 the history Of our
government, ia danger of being subvefted. They
ain 10 be considered the especial guardians Of
an tne ngn,s nuicn AmefiuaH ossiAvus ENJOY an
joy under the Constitution. They would have u
believe that they, aud none others, cherish re
gard for the provisions Of that sacred Instrument.
and those astonishing changes, which sometimes
occur in a single lifetime, have nov led them TO
asst ne the champioucy Of free speech
b. What has been the history OF this coaatfs
regarding the exercise Of this rghtg Ia one
halt OF this republic, for more than thirty years
.he Constitution has 10 this respect been system
aiic.ly set At nsught, and the very term " Tree
speech has been a mockery. II that right had
been sacredy regarded in the seeded States,
civil war would have been impossible. The peo
pie Of that section, made intelligent by free and
u discussion OF the great questions which have
agitated the country, could never have been TO-
duced to take the fearful plunge into the vortex
Of ruin which they have made. But no-blnded
By ignorance, led away By false prophets, they
have only been awakened by sad experiences 10
~ L.. - -
people would have loreseen and avoided.
Add how hss ii been in the Northern States
during the last twenty years. Can our readers
recall - miRd no public assemblies, convened
Tor the pescea5e enjoyment OF rights guaranteed
BY the Constitution. that have been broken up
by mob violences Can they think of no public
speakers that have been stoned, and rotten
egged, and treated with all manner of indgnty.
solely on account Of the exercise OF the right Of
81 free speech'" Have they forgotten Love
ioy-as pure AID inofeHsiVe man IS ever pro.
claimed the religion OF the Divine Master whom
he served-shot down in cold blood for simply
declaring Gods tsuths Do they r1l remember
when the rights of sovereign State. in the
person OF its representative, we're struck down
on the floor of the United States Senate, by the
cruel bludgeon Of the assassin, for the peaceable
exercise OF this " consti,s tonal privileges
Who were then the men that laughed that
sneered, that booted with exultation ! Who
were the men that upheld thess deeds, that said
these fellows had got only what they deserv
ed, and that it was all right under the consti-
tuition " to put them down: Tell it not ia
Gath IL wss the very individuals whose eye
hds are nov melted into tears over the murdered
ghts Of poor, nsryred Vallandghaa! l. saul
also among the prophetss Can any good thing
come out Of Nazareth. Does a round augur
ever bore square aoies
But Il mast be remembered that the cases
alluded to occurred in tine of profound peace,
when if ever, the right Of free discussion should
be- enjoyed al ii5itln. Bat in a state Of war.
specially civil war, the circumstances are
materially changed. What uader Ordinary con-
ailions should he passed by ss ofnO consequence,
may become in a state OF war not only nuisance.
bat al element OF danger. For instance Up 10
be very tine that civil war WAS insugsrated BY
the rebels At Charleston, the leading politicians
II the South habitually threatened dissolution
Of the Union in case their rvieWs"ere not en-
grated upon the poles Of the country. What
sort Of effect would il now produce if such
speeches were ventilated in Congress7 The
probability is that tae speakers hssl- would
kick Al earth and his soul st hesvea in about a.
-bois space Of time as it would take 10 procure
a coil Of hemp and properly adjust IT,
How were the tories treated in the DAYS Of the
revolutions They we're permitted to remain in
quiet possession OF their homes only upon con-
d'tOns that they gave no assistance to the enemy
and that they held their pesce. Were there no
complaints against the " despOtismn of our re
volutionary fathers: o, certainly Benedict
Arnold, the Vslland ghsn Of that dav. after hav-
ipg sought TO betrsy bis cosn,ry, and having
'sken refuge Wits the enemy, issued proclsma-
lion to his misguided countrymen, in which
he used the following language: "You are
promised liberty by the leaders of your affairs.
oct il there an individual in the enjoyment Of it,
saving your cppressors? VITO among you dare
speak or write what he thinks against the tvrau-
- $1,000 -'u " Eodf property, IN
prisons your sons, drsgs you to the field of bat
-le and is daily deluging your country with YOUR
blood ? Who, ignorant Of the facts. would SUP.
pose that the "eppressors," against whom
Benedict Arnold hurled his invectives. were the
ouHders of our government, and the authors Of
bat Constitution under which We live,
Our fathers we're men of stern purposes
Through the might of year," By the starlight
Il cleaning bayoaets and the meteor flashes of
'srtn- shaking cannon, they reached, by weary
marches, marking the way With their hearts,
'es' blood, the goal Of independence. With the
iay-stAr OF peace dswned the morning of civil l
md religious liberty upon this continent. and 4
When the nen ~ko framed the Declaration of In /
dependence sad the Constitution Of the United |
states passed away, they took their places among
he stars. We doubt not that the darkness and
Offering Of the present viii result in q still more
ferrous epoch in the future. and that our couu
~, redeemed frsm the curss of despotisrn.
MI, when the san Of peace sAall again shine
pom 1t, be qaickened into a fallness OF liberty
nd life, such as the world has never vet been
eFritted to behold
TAG Loss At CHAScELLoRsvILLE.-Th ae.
ia statement Of losses in The late battles At