Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-09-09

o. That speakers Of The diaeNnt parties or d.
visions shall be heard 10 tzru and that instead of
speech. any person shall be allowed to read
either an original essay or an extract from the
writings Of Others, which be believes contains
wholesome political truths.
That the time of each sneaker m re.aer
shall be limited to ten minutes.
That as the object of these assemblies il To
discuss, and not 10 decide political questions. no
resolution or motion Of any kind whatever shall
be proposed in the Assembly which does not re-
late either to the preservation Of order in the As
sembly-the length and the order of speeches
the times, place and duration OF the meetings of
the Assembly-,he exclusion or readmission OF
persons guilty Of dsorderly conductor to the
mode of defraying the necessary expenses of the
Assembly: but no charge should be made for ad-
mission thereto.
3. That there shall be no audible demonstr..
tons Of approval or disapproval of the remarks
of any speaker.
One great advantage arising from such order
ly aud peaceable assemblies would be this: that
men of different parties. instead Of listening ex
clusively to the infammatory hsrrangues of
speakers OF their own party and thus having
their minds prepared for lawless violence and
civil strife, would learn to Judge more fairly and
charitably of their opponents by listening calmly
to their arguments; and the opportunity would
be afforded OF convincing instead of persecuting
those whose opinions they believe to be wrong
Again. the discussion being free to all, the Opin-
ions of men Of good judgments. unaccustomed
to public speaking. or of those who lack time for
the preparation Of long speeches. might be elici-
ted aud even If by common consent the burden
of the discussion rested npon a few persons, its
almost conversational character would prevent il
from becoming tiresome to the audience
1t the Judges of the State and of the United
States Courts; if members of the Legislature
and of Congress do not pretend to decide CUES
tons brought before them, without argument.
how can the mass of the people Judge correctly
unless they do first hear every political ouesti5h
freely and fully discussedi II even criminals
allowed a hearing before he is condemned, should
not an honest freeman be permitted TO express
bis mind, although bis opinions may differ from
those of every one of his hearers?
1t ID the right OF every freeman TO listen TO
any political argument that he chooses to hear:
and no one but tyrant wi-seek to deprive him
of this right. If those who are in power are not
in favor of free government, let them say so, and
lay aside their masks. If they are, let them per-
NIT the exercise by every man of his constitu
tional right of free speech; and let them permit
every man to listen to whatever arguments he
chooses to hear. Even the Constitution itself
does not profess to be infallible, and therefore
If any one believes that il is wrong in any partc
ular, he has a right to advocate its amendment
The real meaning of the attempts of bigots and
tyrants to silence free speech under the pretence
that it is reasonable. is this: You shall not
speak because your opinions differ from ours. "a
A FRIEND OF LIBERTY