Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-06-15
From the New 7 ork Times, June Q.
The Liberty of the Press--COufcrence
of New York Editors-A Platform
AdoDrPd.

A conference of editors connected with sew
eral New York journals was held at the Aston
House. YESTERDAY, pursuant to a call signed by
W. g Prime of the Journal of Commerce. Parke
Goodwin of the Evening Post, James Brooks of
the Express. Arson Herrick of the Sunday Atlas,
Horace Greeley Of the Tribune, and Eli Com
stock Of the New York Argus, having for its OBJ
ject a consultation upon the mature, extent and
rightful limitations IF any) of the liberty of pub
lie journalists to c~riticise the acts of those charged
with the conduct of the Cove nment ia time of
war and civil convulsion " Horace Greeley was
called to the Chair. and Eli COmstock appointed
Secretary. Among the editors present were those
who signed the call with the exception Of Parke
Godwin) and Rev. Dr.. Prime of the Observer:
p. J. Meehan of the Irish American, J Beach of
the Sun, John CLANCY of the Leader. Mr.. Often
doffer of the Stats Zeitung, Robert Mcfarland
of the Scientific American. and several others
The objects of the meeting were briefly stated
by Hon. James b opks, after which Mr.. Greeley
admitted a series of resolutions. expressing his
views of the position which editors should take
IN the present aspect of affairs After some dis
custom these resolutions were submitted 10 a
committee. consisting of MIR. Brooks. Mr.. Tilton
and Mr.. Prime, To which was subsequently, added
Mr.. OttendofGer and Mr. Greeley. 10 consider and
report thereon.
A recess was then taken, during which the
committee made some amendments TO the resOlu-
tons a. submitted by Mr. Greeley. and on the re-
assembling of the conference, submitted the fol-
lowing as their report:
WHEREAS. The liberty and rights OF tie press,
as affected by the existence and necessities of a
state of war. and especially Of civil war, are topics
of the highest public concern; and
WHEREAS, Recent events indicate the existence
Of grave misapprehensions and lamenlable con-
fusion Of ideas with regard to this vital question;
therefore.
Resoloed. That orr conceptions of the rights
and duties Of the nreSs in a season Of convulsion
and public peril like the present. are briefly
summed up in the following propositions:
We recognize and affirm the duty Of fidelity
to the Constitution. Government and laws of our
country, as a high moral as well as political obi
CATION. resting on every citizen. and neither
claim for ourselves nor copcede to Others any
exemption from its requirements or privilege TO
evade their sacred and binding force.
2. That treason and rebellion are crimes. by
the fundamental Law of this, as of every other
country; and nowhere else so ~culpable. so abhor-
rent, as in a republic. where each has an equal
voice and vote in the peaceful and legal direction
of public affairs.
3. While we thus emphatically disclaim and
deny any right ms inbering in journalists or 9TH
es TO invite. advocate, abet. uphold OF justify
treason or rebellion. We respectfully but firmly
assert and maintain the right of the press TO crit
icise freely and fearlessly the acts of those charged
Win the ADMINISTRATION OF the OONeFnmeutp Also
to those Of all their civil and military subordi-
mates. whether with intent directly to ensure
greater energy, efficiency and fidelity in the pub
Inc service, or achieve the same ends remotely
through the substitution of other persons for those
now in power.
4. That any limitations of this right, created
by The necessities of war. should be confined TO 10
calities wherein hostilities actually exist or are
imminently threatened, and we deny the right of
any military officer to suppress the issues, or for
bid the general circulation Of journals printed
hundreds of miles from the seat of war.
Some discussion ensued as to the rights Of
Generals to exclude certain papers from their
lines. during which Mr.. Greeley said that Gen.
Mcclellan excluded the Tribune from his camp,
aud he believed be had a right so TO do. Mr..
greeley also advocated the insertion Of a resolu-
ton recognizing the right Of the Government to
suppress papers palpably reasonable, and such as
were evidently published in the interest of the
Rebels. He thought If the power of suppressing
such papers were trusted TO the President alone
il would be exercised with discretion and would
be in safe hands. In answer to this il was said
that papers openly advocating treason would be
ing about il in the resolutions. The resolutions
as above submitted were then unanimously adopt
ed, and the Secretary was directed 70 transmit
copies thereof to the President and members Of
the Cabinet The thanks Of the meeting were
rendered to Mr.. Stetson for his hospitality in fur
nishing free accommodations, and the meeting
adjourned.