Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-10-31
epvFRITy OF THE PRESS.

inclined to the milk and water CHARACTER
condemn what they coll fierce, offensive
nolitical articles. We yield to none IN
our admiration for dignity in the press,
and high tone among gentlemen VINO
conduct it, But it is well nevertheless
that things should be called by their right
names, and that public wrongs should
often be handled without gloves. Gen.
,lemen of the press should discriminate
wisely between what is abusive in mere
epithet and low flung in character, AMI
such severity of expression as bad prin'
ciples and wrong action deserve and JUS
tice not seldom exacts. To condemn
crime in soft phrase amounts to little less
than affording it sanction. The issue
between the Constitution and despotisn,
legitimate government and usurpation,
and the true liberty of the hitherto es-
tablished American institutions and q
projected tyrannous oppression is one
which will be badly handled with the
weak and delicate language of sickly
and fastidious taste. Those who cry on !
only because they hear the vigorous
language of truth in the frankness ofthe
good English tongue, will never set any
rivers on fire or make any particular
mark. Truth and the right require strong
weapons for their vindication. The keener
argument may be polished as you will,
but we must have the sword. Is it not
an absurdity TO require that men who
deal with rough things, crimes, crueities,
tyrannous laws, vampires, tyrants and
plunderers should be confined to honied
phrases, on the suggestion of some in
sipid, lukewarm or senile mind, that the
language of justice, which springs un-
hidden to the lips of every patriot and
right minded man, is too uncouth or
rough for the sensitive, sentimental and
effeminate ears ? What is usurpation
and tyranny but treason to the Consti-
tuition And shall men, whose purpose
it is to destroy liberty for the sake of
party, be treated as amiably honest and
mistaken, only because it is more dig
nifed and genieel, and contributes to
peace and COED will, to treat with be-
coming respect all whose acts do aud
whose motives may deserve it? We can
not consent to such rule as incumbent
on the press. We shall regret to do any
man injustice, and we shall grant
Hearing to any who may deserve and
need defense. But we shall speak the
truth in all cases as We understand it,
in such appropriate language as, being
warranted in the circumstances which
have arisen, may seem to US most eff
cient for its vindication.
We are not aware of any particular
call to crowd the daily political press at
this moment with literary inanities
The Radical party, outside Of the Consli.
tuition which has been the boast Of
is seeking in the name of
liberty TO crush into serfdom eight mil
lions Of whiteg, who have no will but to
maintain the integrity Of the lawful
Government of the United States. They
pretend that the success Of their parry
is indispensable TO equity and the gen
eral welfare. The pretense is as false as
the design is misehievous. And to say
they plot treason because they love to
tyrannize and are greedy Of its rewards,
aud that they are iyrants and traitors TO
liberty, aud as much
enemies Of the country as any criminals,
is to use as tender phrase esmporting
with justice as our limited knowledge of
the language affords US. We shall be
glad to speak smooth things of such men
when truth warrants ii-but not till then
shall we attempt to do so.
DS~ The death Of DR.. James N.
Towaes, a prominent merchant of this
city, and formerly, for many years, one
Of the most distinguished planters Of
Mississippi, is announced to day. He
died Of yellow fever, having for several
dsys previously made up his mind, and
prepared himself to die from that cause.
he was a successful physician, a skillful
planter, and a merchant distinguished
for cnndor and probiiy. he was q whole
souled, magnanimous and generous
friend, ard in al respects, and in the 1
highest sense, one Of the best and the
1oblest Of men. he leaves no enemy,
5ut q host Of friends. who, with his be- /
-eaved family, she'd The tears Of love over ]
bis earthly renainE His spirit is hsp- ]
,ier in q brighter world. Bot 10 many
be intelligence Of his demise will be sad
.ews indeed, while, BY cur business
onmunify. the loss Of such a man viii !
e severely felt
n1- The passenger cars on the rail-
az from S. Petersburg 10 Moscow are
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