Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-07-06
From the London Times.
Free Discussion I'm England i'm Time
nf MR.

DaoCu>siOn III Eu8lau0 III lime
of war.
For the benefit Of the few Republican dOcfyin-
aries in England who seem 10 th NIX that the red
eral Government can do no wrong. il NAV be de-
siruble 20 put n question on the subject of free
discussion in time of war. What, it may be
asked. would the people have Thought, said or
done under the following circumstances. su2pus
ing u To have been possible they could have &C.
curred2 John Bright. an able. clear headed log
ical speaker. and an earnest advocate of peace,
addressed the people of Rochdale, in the wear
le54, on the subject of the war in the Crimea.
So high is his reputation for eloquence, as well
as for courage and patriotism. that not only his
immediate neighb 'rs and friends. but multitudes
OF people from all the contiguous districts, gather
to listen 10 his vice and cheer the manly expires
sion of his sentiments. He enounces the war "a
wrong III principle, erroneous in policy. unjust
and Ubiquitous in itself. and more dangerous in its
continuance to the liberty and prosperity of the
British people than To the stability of the Russian
Empire. He declares that LORD Aberdeen is
little better than an old woman. that Lord Pan
mure thinks too much of "DJwb" and too little
of his duty and to the country TO lie a safe or
nh efficient Minister in a time of national danger;
that speculation and peculation. jpboery and rob
hery. pervade every department of the public
service: and that war. always deplOrable and
wicked, is particularly horrible and unchriStian
when waged in defense of such n rotten and
efiete institution rs the Tlrkish empire, which
m iinrains slavery, and is therefore no ft member
OF the family of nations. He is not aware. while
sneaking. that two officers of the Grenadier
Guards, disguised in citizens attire. have been
sent tn the meeting by the war Office to take
notes of his speech. and. having ended his ora
ton, amid The enthusiastic applause of his audi
ence. goes home to supper. A few nights after
ward, thinking no evil. and believing himself TO
he n citizen of n free county, he retires quietly to
bed AS usual. But his sleep is not permitted to
lie OF long duration. Shortly he is aroused bv a
violent KNOCKING at The outer door. He springs
to his feet. thinking the house is on fire. and rings
the fire alarm accordingly. His wife. children,
and household gather in great alarm. in
their night clothes, on the stairs and in
the passages. The outer door is battered
in, and a company of soldiers enter, the Captain
with his sword ia his hand, and each man pre-
sents u bayonet az The breast of the besildered
legislator. The ladies and children scream or
faint. while Mr. Bright is told TO dress immedi
ately and consider himself n prisoner. Mr.. Bright
dresses himself. but refuses TO go to prison. The
generous blood of n true hearted Englishman
rusl,es to his face, and ne declares that he will
rather die defending his life than WELD to his law.
less aud brutal csptors. His WORKS are in vain.
he is violently seized ana hurried through the
streets To the railway station. where n special
train il in waiting To convey him to Birmingham
On arrival he is locked up in "A military prison.
Mex morning he is brought before - court mar
tial, composed of one Brigadier General, one
Colonel. one Lieut.. Colonel, three NJ ,rs and two
Captains. and put on trial on a charge of sedition
and treason. He declines to acknowledge the
Jurisdiction of the court. and demands, as a
British subject. To be tried before a civil Judge
and a jury of his countrymen. His demand is
haughtly and summarily rejected. and the trial
proceeds The officers and "gentlemen' who
condescende ! To at the part of spies Tor the Gov
eminent, detail. and somewhat peryert the exp ga
sions which he used in denunciation of the war
and the conduct of the Administration; and, at
ter an investigation that lasts two DAYS. Mr..
Bright is cnmnitIei to prison until the indges
agree upon their verdict. and decide whether he
shall be incarcerated Till the war is over. hanished
10 Russia to live for The future among he friends
with whom he svmpathises. or summlrily shot,
OF hung. Woulh the British people tamely
submit To such a wrong iIi cted even upon
n much humber person than John Bright !
would not the newspapers of all shades ot politi.
cal opinion unite in expressing their indignant
displeasure? And would not the House of Com
mons aud the House of Lnris also ring with de
nunriniion of The actf And il these bodies
were not in session. would not every city and
town in the empire holi immense public meetings
10 call uDOu the queen To DISMISS from ner coun-
ellis the unworthy MINISTRY who so degraded their
junction and so grievously imperiled the public
peace2 Every honest Englishman who values
he i~ne<timable right of Tree discussion and The
supremacy of law will reply in the Affirmative.
Substitute the mime of Clement Llird VhIlan-
di2ham for that of John Bright, and the war
against the Snnth for the war against Russia; lay
the scene ia Ohin. in 1863. Instead of in Eng
land. in lc54 and the imaginary story becomes
true; and every incident related is a literal fact.