Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-11-04
A FREE PRESS.

A republic is . representative government under
the control of the people, for whom its delighted
powers are exercised and 10 whom it Is responsible
It is an organization based upon the principle that
the people are capable Of discriminating between
truth and error wisdom and folly, md right md
wrong; and that they ares competent to carry out
10 the conduct of their representative government
both by men and measures-the determinations
they make. To be in condition to exercise judg-
ment and by that means to shape the course OF
their government facts and opinions must be elicit
ed and put before the people for canvass These are
indispensable to the exercise Of an intelligent judg-
,nent. Ignorance is Is fatal as corruption Public
opinion must be both enlightened and honest To
keep the people in the dark defeats the prospect OF
wisdom in Affairs no less than popular corruption.
The bunder of ignorance on the part of the people
will not give them wise direction of their affairs.
That they mean well and do the best they know
how for their country, with the lights before them,
does not mend matters. It is necessary that they
should have lights There is no means for !nfortn-
ing the people, and for eyoking their proper judy
ment so efficient as the press. To muzze the press,
is to suppress facts and opinions which may be ne
cessary to the correct judgment OF the people ar
against the freedom of the press is an attack upon
the peoples means of obtaining information for the
control of their governmentstrikes at the root Of
republican freedom ITSELF Its practical effect is to
put the people, their government and their measures
idence would direct affairs without responsibility.
The press does not undertake to do more than to
furnish facts and ideas for the exercise of the good
judgment of readers. It has no power or preten.
sion to dictate or control The adoption or rejec-
ton of views expressed is entirely optional with
readers; and the reading of any particular news
paper is certainly voluntary The press has no au-
thority other than that freely accorded to it by the
public, upon judgment of character and intel-
<hn ;nha &c <ba v;o
thrown out. In these lie all its might and all its
authority. 800
free press is absolutely necessary for the pres.
ervation of liberty in any country. 1t may become
and to certain extent always is, licentious What
power is free from abuse; and where can perfection
be found in the worldf Is perfection expected from
all who speak words or perform actions Doabuses
of these privileges and powers prove that speaking
and acting should be stopped? There is response
bility for words and for actions. Also for writing
and publishing in newspapers-moral, legal and
personal Abuses are liable to remedies, or at least
AS much as speaking and acting-to preventions
in the future. As to infability and perfection the
idea is nonsensical. The evil must be taken with
the good-in newspapers Is in men themselves, and
in all things human, from governments down.
But even licentious press is far less evil than q
press that is enslaved, because both sides may be
heard in the former case, but not in the latter.
licentious press may be evil, but fair play is
allowed to truth and falsehood. wisdom and folly,
right and wrong In such . struggle, republicans
believe the former will prevail The evil is open to
remedy An enslaved press must be an evil; for an
enslaved press suppresses truth, aud may cause
error to be more current than TRUTH folly than Wis
dom, and wrong more powerful than right without
the benefit Of correction. It is then q ore sided
business of interested men. Tho people may be
stuffed to suit the interests Of those placed in power
False statements foolish counses and unjust actions
are given currency and applause by an enslaved
press without comment or contradiction. A licen
tious press cannot effect these things for if it gives
poison it gives also the antidote which an enslaved
press withholds. An ensaved press is doubly fatal
1t not only takes away the true light-for in that
case We might stand still-but it sets up actious
one, that may drag US to our destruction.
The press must be taken for what it worth, rs
giving speech and uttsrance to the various and con-
aicting statements and opinions in the community,
with view to sift the truth, develop the right and
elicit the mature aud wholesome public opinion Of
the people. Public discussion alone can accomplish
this result--Charleston Mercury.