Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-04-12
TINE EPITMET @sECLSsIONEsT''
: I4IBEI.OJs.
The night TO Free speech In Regard
TO the measures of the Admin-
istratiOn.

istration.
At the opening of the Court of Oyer and
Terminer in New York City last weel'
Judge BARNARD charged the Grand Jury,
among other things, that the epithet ''Se-
cessionist,"as often applied by the public
press TO persons, is libelous. Reference
was made by the Judge to the course OF
certain newspapers in making free use OF
the phrases "Traitor" and ''Secessionist"
against those who differ from them In po-
litical opinion. The following is an extract
from the charge on this point: ~
For some time past 1t has been the con-
stant practice of portion of the individu-
ais connected with the city press to stig-
matize all who differed with them In their
views as to any acts of national adminis-
tration as secessionists, with the intent to
degrade them in the eyes Of the community
by holding them out as traitors 10 thelr
country, aud so to leave them with repu-
tation as sullied as that Of Benedict Arnold.
This, charge you, constitutes libel. Per-
haps, In some few instances out OF thous-
anlls, charge may be true, and publication
of it be for justifiable purpose; but this
does not excuse the parading before the
world of n man as a traitor because he dis
sents from some views entertained by
newspaper, or ventures to doubt the pro-
priety of some measures of the administra-
tion. Government Is one thing; admins
tration is totally different thing: Inc
theory of a republican government Is that
ali the peopleas signified through the ball
lot-box. If, therefore, majority Of. the
people should signify their viii through
the ballot-box that the present war snouiu
no longer be prosecuted, that majority, al
though they may have mistaken the true
policy. cannot be Justly said to be traitors to
the government. 1t Is the essence OF repub-
lican freedom that every citizen should have
the untrammeled right to endeavor py ms
vote to have those measures carried out
which he considers most conducive 10 the
welfare of his country. But 9oes @ ms ilee-
dom stop here? Is he confined TO dropping
his silent ballot? Is his mouth gagged!
Certainly not. The right to express MS
views by ballot carries with 1t the right 10
induce, by fair argument and persuasion
Others to adopt his views. The prevention
of interchange of any body governed Dy
the will of a majority would, indeed, De
tyranny. Next to the interference with
elections and the dragooning OF voters Dy
military power, nothing is a surer lnoeT
of the downfall of republic than the total
prevention of an interchange OF views, OF
the prevention of expression OF any views
other than those in support of some pro-
posed measure OF candidate for office. This
is essential to the political freedom OF
republic-that every citizen should nave
the full right to express his views on any
political measure or any act OF AdmlnlsCra-
ton, and endeavOr, by argument or persua-
sion. to bring others to adopt his views.
ANYTHING which disturbs this right wheth-
er it be BY armed interference or by printed
articles, holding one up to public oDioquy
for entertaining any particular oplnloh'
tends to sap the very foundation OF arepuD-
lie. 1t is for these reasons that view the
indiscriminate application OF the epltnet
secessionist to all who do not yield implicit
faith to every act of an Administration-to
all who do not subscribe to the particular
tenets of some public journals extreme
ly pernicious and deserving OF your atten-
ton.
Wesee that some of the Abolition Journals
are not very well pleased with this law oflibei
as laid down by Judge BARNARD. They want
the largest liberty to vilify and libel Demo-
Gratis, while respecting none of the rights OF
the latter. Probably,too the Administration
editors don't relish what Judge BARNARD
saws in his charge about those who furnish
worthless arms to the Government, ana
about shoddy contractors, being aiders and
abettors Of the public enemy, and SO guilty
of treason. The following, for instance,
may be rather strong language for the
nerves of those who have grown very rich
and very .patrioticn at the public expense:
Again. some by so fraudulently fulfilling
contracts as to make the government pay
an extremely exorbitant rate for the ar
ticles furnished, do i'm fact, render aid TO
the Southern rebellion by diminishing the
resources Of the government for carrying
on the war. These last may perhaps never
have viewed their acts in this light. But
their conduct. irrespective Of the fraud, is
highly reprehensible; for at time wnen
the government needs all their support they
should. instead Of seeking to amass large
wealth at the expense Of the depletion Of
the governmental treasury, take and fulfll
their contracts at reasonable living rates.
More especially reprehensible. are those
who. devoid of humanity, added to the pri-
walton, toll and hardship Of the soldier risk
ing his life in the battle field for the cause
of the Union, and the discomfort arising
| from the want of raiment, by furnishing.
under contract, clothing of such ilimsy ma
n IA