Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-11-22
A Free Press.

There was hardly any subject which was not dis
cussed and elucidated by DANIEL WEBSTER, in the
course of his long and highly honorable and useful
public life Upon the subjects of educati on, tn
freedom of religious worship, and the freedom of
the press, he was especially impressive; and he has
left to his countrymen many lessons on these topics
which they cannot too frequently read or too faith
fully follow.
In speech delivered at Worcester on the 18th Of
October, 1892 he advanced the following very sound
views as to the responsibilities the duties, and the
rights of free press
TIN all popular governments, a free press is the
most important of all agents and instruments. 1t
not only expresses public opinion but, to q very
great degree, it contributes to form that opinion
1t is an engine for good or for evil as it may be
directed but an engine Of which nothing resist
the force. The conductors of the press, in popular
government occupy a.place- in the social and poll
tical system, of the very highest consequence
They wear the character of public instruction.
Their daily labors bear directly on the intelligence
the morals, the taste, and the public spirit of the
country. Not only are they journalists, recording
political occurrences, but they discuss principles
they comment on measures they canvass characters
they hold power over the reputation, the feelings
the happiness, of individuals. The public i
always open to their addresses the public sympathy
easily made responsive to their sentiments. 1t is
indeed, Sir, distinction Of high honor that theirs
is the only profession expressly protected and
guarded by constitutional enactments. Their en-
plOyment scars high in its general consequences
1t is so intimately connected with the public happI
ness, that its security is provided for by the fun
damental law. While it acts in a manner worthy
of this distinction, the press fountain of light,
and source of gladdening warmth. 1t instructs
the public mind and animates the spirit of patriot
ism. Its loud voice suppresses every thing which
blasting rebuke causes incpent despotism to perish
in the bud
But remember, Sir, that these are the attributes
of free press only. And is a press that is pur-
chased or pensioned more free than press that is
fettered? Can the people look for truths to partial
sources whether rendered. partial through fear or
| through favor? Why shall not manacled press be
trusted with the maintenance and defence of popu-
lar rights Because it is supposed to be under the
! influence Of power which may prove greater than
the love of truth. Such press may screen abuses
| in government or be silent 1t may fear to speak.
And may it not fear to speak, too, when its conduc
tors, if they speak in any but one way, may lose
their means Of liVelihoodf Is dependence on goV1
| ernment for bread no temptation to screen its
| abuSesP Will the press always speak the truth,
when the TRUTH if spoken, may be the means OF
silencing it for the future2 Is the truth in no
! danger is the Tatchman under 70 temptation, when
he can neither proclaim the approach OF national
evils, nor to descry them, without the loss Of
his placer
Mr.. President an open attempt to secure the aid
and friendship of the public press, by bestowing
the emoluments Of Office on its active conductors,
seems to me- of every thing we have witnessed to
| be the most reprehensibe. 1t degrades both the
! government and the press. As far as its natural
effect extends it turns the palladium of liberty into
an engine of party 1t brings the agency activity,
energy, and patronage Of government all to bear,
with united force, the means of general lntelli.
gence and on the adoption or rejection of political
opinions 1t so completely perverts the true object
of government, it so entirely reVolutionizes our
whole system, that the chief business Of those in
power is directed rather to the propagation of opn-
ions favorable to themselves than to the execution
Of the laws. This propagation nfOpinons, through
the press becomes the main administrative duty
Some fifty sixty editors of leading journals have
been appointed to Office by the present executive.
4 stand has been made against this proceeding, in
the Senate, with partial success; but, by means Of
appointments which do not come before the Senate,
or other means the number has been carried to the
extent have mentioned Certainly, Sir, the edi-
tors of the public journals not to be dsfranchis
ed. Certainly they are fair candidates either fOI
popular elections, or just participation in Office
Certainly they reckon IN their number some of the
first geniuses, the best scholars, and the most
honest and we'll -principled men in the country
But the complaint is against the system against the
practice against the undsguised attempt to secure
the favor of the press by means addressed to itE
pecuniary interests, and these means, too drawn
from the public treasury, being no other than the
appointed eompensations for the performance o
official duties. SIR the press itself should resen
this. Its own character for purity and udepen
dence is at stake. 1t should resist connection
rendering it obnoxious to so many imputations. /
should point to its honorable determination in ou
constitutions of gogernment and il should maintain
the character, there ascribed to IT, Of free press