The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1866-03-08

IhlS information IS called TOR with view 70 tner
suppression, which viii be- done from these head
quarters only. By command of
Lieutenant General Grant,
T. S. Bowers, A. A. g.
The occasion is one so remarkable in its
character that we conceive it a plain duty to
speak few plain words, and without fear, IA
vor or affection.
And first, We judge it better, under all the
aspects of the case, to comply with this order
than TO refuse. Under the heel of a despotic
rule the paper might be suppressed, an evil
greater than any good likely to be gained at
present by the sacrifice At the same time
every one must perceive that, in point of prin-
eiple, this act is an arbitrary coafscatioa Of oar
prirate property. By what right does General
Grant or any other man seize such property,
and this too without even the small paliation
of offering to pay for it? Newspapers have
already a full supply of dead heads, with
out any such addition By what right?-the
right of nu.gLt As well order every minister
of the gospel TO send in for scrutiny a copy of
every sermon he preached.
In the next place it cannot escape any dis
corning mind that General Grant order is so
vague in its terms that it admits of an appliea-
ton the most harrasSing and tyrannieal Dis
loyalty may be defined but what constitutes
hostility to the government Ifby govern
ment is meant the Constitution of the eoun-
try-who is publishing sentiments Of hostility
to it? If it means the existing administration,
when did it become a crime for the press to
eensure with the utmost freedom measures be-
heved to be wrong? Not from the days when
the Constitution came from the hands of Wash
ington, Madison and others, down to 1861.
But now it seems that the magnificent result Of
four years war, by the best government the
world ever saw, and all to support the COHStt-
tuition and the lars, is concentrated in the
privilege of having the press muzzled by this
official threat, if it shall dare to censure the
government, ~ 0ay Of It's branches. "
But not content with this, We are informed
that articles calculated to keep up hostility
of feeling between the different sections of the
country cannot be tolerated Now the ques-
ton is not whether such articles are wrong
that every body admits, and also that too many
of this complexion are to be found The Ques-
ton is whether a censorship unknown to law,
shall sit in Judgment on them, with power to
annihilate the press at will. In his celebrated
" Apology for the freedom of the Press,
Robert Hall has expressed some truths worthy
of the admiration of all times. We quote the
following in point "When the example has
been once introduced of suppressing opinions
on account of their imagined i'll tendency, it
has seldom been confined within any safe or
reasonable bounds The doctrine of tenden-
eies is extremely subtle and complicated. -
"The law has amply provided against orert
acts Of sedition and disorder, and to suppress
mere opinions by any other method than reason
and argument IS the height of tyranny"
But again. one of the most Odious features
of this high-handed measure Is its partiality.
1t IS for Southern newspapers only. We have
in good faith taken the oath of allegiance to
the Government of the United States and
have eOunselled our readers and people to the
faithful observance of all their obligations:
we have hardly said anything about political af
fairs, and always in mildness. The same is
true Of the religious newspapers all over the
South. What on the other hand has been the
course with those Of the North? Many of
them are laden with political discussions, not
a few of them of the most violent, abusive
character against the recent measures of one
branch of the government; and almost with
out exception they abound in outrageous lies
and misrepresentation, written by irrespOnsi-
bic, discredited correspondents, endorsed, how
ever, by the editors. If we turn to the polit-
ical papers what is the fact? We can aver
with all good conscience that, for one of those
articles calculated to keep up hostility of
feeling between the people of the different
sections of the country, to be found in the
columns of those in the South there will be
found twenty in those at the North But sup
pose both equally in the wrong, what is the
spectacle here exhibited to the world? 1t is
just this-and more shameful can hardly be
pointed out in the annals Of oppressiOn-a
huge military hand throttes the weaker party,
admitted to be helpless, aud then says, in eff
feet, to the other" N0,c take yol,r fUi"
General Grant has a high reputation as brave
and honorable man, and we would not willing
ly speak evil of dignities. But all the
world knows that such foul play between indi-
yiduals, it would despise as cowardly and
mean. And if that be. treason, let them
make the most Of it.