The New York herald., 1863-07-13
The Gover.m.nt .ad Tn. Press.


tors in every telegraph Office to act as censOrs
This saves the newspapers much time and
trouble, but does not wholly relieve them Of
the illegal and annoying nberviision to which
they have been SO long subjected The only
true way to deal with the press has been again
and again recommended to Mr. Stanton; but he
has not sense enough to adopt It, and the ad-
ministratioh is too imbecile to take the matter
into consideration. If the newspapers were left
at liberty to publish just what their editors
| pleased, and the editors were held personally
and legally responsible for whatever they pub
| lished, there would be no need of any censor
ship. The only objection to this perfectly fair
and equitable mode is that 1t Is toe fair and
equitable for Mr.. Stanton and his colleagues.
has shown itself in everything it has undertaken,
in nothing has its utter incapacity been so re-
markably exhibited as in its relations with the
press. The policy of this government towards
the newspapers since the. beginning of the war
has been alternate trucking and tyranny.
| In despotic France the Emperor Napoleon pro-
fesses to control tho press; But he also respeoss
and appreciates it. In monarchical England
the liberty and independence Of the press are so
secured that to persistently assail them would
be to destroy the government. In republican
America fanatical administration, accident
ally elected, takes advantage of rebellion
which 1t has hitherto lacked talent to sup
press-and attempts to interfere with this
purely intellectual institution, greater than any
administration or any government. Look for
moment at the contrast between this govern
ment and that of France in their regard for the
opinions of the press, as endorsed by the votes
of the people. The journals of Paris with the
exception of the official organs, have for some
time opposed the policy of Napoleon. The re-
suit Of this opposition was the defeat of the gov
ernment candidates in the recent elections. or
the opposition members chosen at least two
thirds were newspaper writers. Napoleon
might have ignored this strong expression
Of the sentiments OF the people, and per-
sisted in his policy, though the consequence
would probably have been a revolution. In
stead of this, he wisely determined to take the
hint given him, and has removed Persigny and
Walewski, the obnoxious members of his Cabi-
net. Now, on the other hand, the policy of
this administration in the conduct of the war
has long been opposed by all the press, the
paid administration organs alone excepted. AT
the elections last fall the people Of all the
great Central States unequivooally endorsed
the sentiments Of their newspapers, and the
influence, the Offices, the contracts and the
money of the administration availed nothing
to stem the tide Of popular sentiment. What,
then, was the result? Instead Of changing its
policy, the administration has since been more
than ever welded to the negro. Instead of
removing the condemned Cabinet members.
the administration Immediately removed our
best and most popular general, because he
would not bow down and worship the ebony
idol which the abolitionists had set up Com
ment upon this contrast Is unnecessary. Had
not the American people been the most patient
and law abiding on the face of the earth, and
had not the press rallied to the support of the
government at that dangerous crisis, this def
ance of the administration would have been ac-
cepted, and anarchy would have ensued.
The independent press, if the Washington
officials will but understand it, is the only per-
manent governing institution in this country.
Presidents live but for four years. Admins.
trations exist but for the same brief term. Po-
litcians, great and small, rise to Office and sink
into obscurity. Political parties are organized
and are destroyed. The press alone remains,
self-sustaining and perennial. As time passes
it is continually increasing In power and max
ing its influence more effective 1t creates,
supports and uses Presidents and Governors,
h.xk Iaa oTo o(Qn ia khoc~ IA
builds up, sustains or breaks down political
parties as it pleases, but cannot be controlled
or demolished by them. Being an Intellectual
power, working with principles and ideas for
practical and bene6cent purposes, 1t is above
and beyond any mere politician or party. 1t
takes men In the aggregate, and appeals to their
reason and their intelligence, which it is con-
very small part of Its province. 1t is indis-
solubly connected with almost every interest
of huoD oDanity-material, intellectual and moral.
Governments are only the servants Of the peo-
pie. The press is the popular leader. If it
assists the government it is most powerful
ally. If it be forced into open hostility to the
government revolution follows. Since the be-
ginning Of this war the press has repeatedly
| saved the country from ruin. Without its aid
the people could not have been aroused, volun-
teers could not have been obtained, the nation
al treasury could not have been filled, and the
war could not have been carried on for single
month. Had its advice been followed the
rebels would have been beaten. the rebel con-
federacy annihilated and the Union restored
many months ago These facts are so plainly
written upon every page Of the history Of this
war that only those wilfully blind can overlook
them. The present administration seems to be
afflicted with just such blindness. Ignorant or
forgetful Of all II owes to the press, II treats
the leading newspapers as If they were public
enemies, anxious to injure rather than TO save