Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-06-22
A Free Press and Free Speech.

We are dswn on the captious, caviling
spirit and course pursued by some of the
public press and speakers, concerning the ad-
ministratien of the affairs of the government
and the conduct of the war. We believe
their course has worked mischief, however
SO well intended. But we are at the same
time a most strenuous advocate for the full
exercise of the legitimate rights Of the press
and people to discuss and c~riticise the acts of
the government, and our military comman-
ders in the field. They are but the servants
of the people, and are amenable to them for
thsir course of conduct. And they must be
made to feel this, lest in in the exercise Of
| the authority delegated to them by the peo-
| pie, they forget, and esteem themselves mas
| tiers instead of servants.
The people look to the press of the coun-
try to warn them of danger of en~croachment
upon their rights and liberties and until it
becomes the tool and pimp of those in au-
thority it will continue to perform this high
Office, without fear, favor or Affection
We deprecate much that we have seen in the
papers of the country but we believe ever
the abuse of the privilege, has resulted in
more good than harm. We all know the
spirit Of usurping power that in almost al
cases predominstes with military men-fre
q~uently, too, from no innate desire to be in,
tolerant or despotic, but because they esteem
necessity or the public good demand it. I
is a~ll-important that this spirit should b
held in allegiance, and the people warned Q
threatened danger. The press must do this
We believe it has performed NEST essentia
service to the people and to the army by ex
posing abuses and rebaking wrong doing
Let it continue to do this, even in war, an
the rights and liberties of the people ar
safe.
But there is danger in the abuse of tn
privileges of . free press, even in ordinar
times, and more especially in the critical an
perilous times of war. It may propsrl
psint out errors and anlmadvert on abuses
but it becomes dangerous aud mischievou
when It seeks 10 dsEtfey ~connuencc IN q
good faith and ability Of those who are
authority both in the cabinet and the field
Such ss an imputation of their maotioes-the
desire to erect a monarchy over the people
the design to abrogatc the constitutional al
legal rights of the people, aud subordina
the civil to the military authority, and
any other course calculated to cause Il
masses of the people to regard President
Governors and Generals as their ensmi
]. and seeking to deprive them Of the me
precious boon for which they are sheddil
their blood like water.
There has been too much of this. T
! people should, instead, be taught to rega
our officials, civil and military, as their be
friends. whose desire and aim it is to prote
and defend them in all their rights, pri'
) leges and immunities. Ind the oficis
p should have sense enough to know that t
people are the government, and that VIII
they exercise their authority with frmne
and impartially, it should be done pr
' IDENTIFY and with due respect to the rigt
I and wishes of the people. And thus mutt
:, confidence, respect and good faith will be
, tablished and perpetuated between the &c
{ ernors and the governed.
4 To CORRESPONDENTS Thanks to Mr..
~ A maIl ~ r 0O+I De- c.. o1,L &c