The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-05-02

libby define, and uses his powerful
instrumentalty in. subverting these,
the popular sentimental least that
portion of it which is entitled to 60
vern, will speedily write it's verdict
against him.
Public men and public acts are
legitimate objects of the criticism of
the press of any country; but to step
beyond this which, by the way,
is defined by the laws of all civilized
Governments-and invades the sane
tity of private life, impugns and de-
scants upon the motives of indivi-
duals-when it palliates vice and
crime, no matter in what rank or sta
ton of life it appears-when it wan
tonly creates popular disturbances,
and endeavors to subvert law and
order by seditious language-in the
one case, the courts are open to pro-
secution for libel; and in the other,
any Government owes it to itself that
law, order, and the consequent we'll
being of communities, should not be
overthrown by charlatans or dema-
gogues who may seek to direct or
control public opinion. And this is
just the difference between the right
full freedom of the press" which we
hear so much about continually, and
that licentiousness which foments
disorder and breeds anarchy. How
far the French editor may have trans
cended the proper limits assigned
by an imperial Government, we have
no means Of knowing, as.we have not
seen the article referred TO; but if it
was against his Government and the
rights of his country, that Govern
ment properly interfered; but if it
was merely fair criticism of the
public policy of that Government,
whether with regard to- it's foreign
relations or its internal management
of the affairs of State, it was impoli.
tic-at least, it would be under free
Government-to notice or interfere
with such commentaries on its course
| Of action.
Men may admire the pluck, So
called, of an editor who makes it his
hobby to abuse and denounce every
thing that may not suit his fancy, or
which may oe at variance with the
policy or prosperity of his party, or
those evho think with him on public
affairs; but in either case, whether
the amenities of private or social life
are encroached upon, or the public
veal affected by prostitution of the
high functions of journalism to the
interests of party or faction, the YER
dict of public opinion will finally
crush him. We know OF instances of
this, in our long connection with
journalism, and We have never known
the result of our observations, as
above indicated, to fail. The jour
nalist who scourged every one whom
he thought deserved it, or he who
was continually stirring up party
strife and discord, although account
ed plucky and smart, and was lauded
for the moment by the breath OF
popular applause, and held up as an
example of independence" to his
brethren, invariably failed to receive
support, and became merely a note
of admiration, to be talked about by
those who neither understand nor ap-
preciate the duties and responsible
ties of true journalism. And we are
happy to believe, if not know, that
this great conservator OPT
nion-has contributed much in this
country to the establish of the
true freedom of the press. ;"
DIsFRANCHIsEAIENT- ATToR-
NEY-GENERAL's OPINION. spe-
cial correspondent of the Baltimore
Sun, of Tuesday, says: