New-York tribune., 1868-04-29
4 CENSORSHIP or LITERA TURE.

\ company OF gentlemen OF aplIlly anu IT.
sponsibihty have formed an association called
"The American Railway Literary Union,' the
purpose of which Union Is to get control OF all
railway lines, cars stations and depOts and all
steamboat lines, 80 far as concerns the sale
therein and thereon of things to read, such ~
books. newspapers, magazines, handoilS
guides, and so on. As this ASSOCIATION s0lclts
notice and criticism, we will favor the mana
gers with our views Their ostensble object
is praisoworthy but it is one of those theories
that are never put in full practice i'll country
where every one is free to speak. print
and read what he plcases. The first step
toward the success of this Union involves
censorship of the press and that, we take 1t
for granted, will not be submitted TO. We
have general and special laws against the mis-
Use of the tongue and the types, and these are
all that the people are likely to tolerate. The
slanderer, the libeler the printer and peddler
of indecent books, papers, and pictures. are
amcnable to the law for outrages upon private
character and public deeency. 1t is quite true
that there are fragrant violations and evasions
of these laws; but the fact that such laws are
made presupp0ses the crime against which
they are aimed If all men were virtuous,
there would be no need of restrictive enact
mcnts; punitive laws recognize the existence
Of crime in the act OF their creation. That
there is a swelling flood of obscene and de-
moralzing literature Surging over the country
is true il is equally true that all good men
should dscountenance, and in every lawful
way oppose, this tide of corruption. IL is right
that ten or ten thousand citizens should com
bne 10 stem the flood. But in what manner
can they operate so as to effect that object
without invading the inalienable right of
private lbertyf We are now trying to get an
act of the Legislature to effect this desirable
end But on the outset we are met with the
knotty qucstion-what right have we to say
that one may read The Scorpion and not The
Scyufator. If we find n flagrantly immoral
print. we may destroy it and punish the maker.
But how far can we carry our Judgments Can
we make an Index Expurgatorius, set up
censorship of the press accredit this newspaper
as innocuous and denounce that as hcretlcalF
If we go beyond the plain and manifest viola
ton of common decency, and undertake to
decide upon unexpressed motives to legislate
upon possible or probable tendencies, where are
we to stopG Our friends of the Railway Union
tell us, by way Of general illustration:
The following outline will indicate, as nearly "a may he
this time the publications allowed by the Union To be
sold circulated thOTOughares ana AT news depots
aud by agents connected with us: Dally papers
except sunday papers,; railway guides; all Bibles O the
version and parts thereof the publications OF
American and Foreign Tract and Sabbath school socle
ties. and dcnOmnatiOnal Publishing Boards, and the Is
Of all respectable publishing houses Deserving the
right to reject such are not suitable matter or sye
Tor this tracl and such weekly aud other periodicals IA
not immoral vulgar, the object " the Union being
to secure the circulation OF an elevated literature ana 10
and tales other issues OF the press which promote OBJ
cency all rccts of crime, and of the horrible and
wicked generally whether reports OF trials, pretended
news, otherwise; and TO contend practically under
the motto knowledge and Virtue" for the truth that
righteousness eXaeth nation" and TO aid In fulfill
ing the prophesy Many shall TO and fro and know
ledge shall be Increased" IL is the aim OF the Union TO
stimulate and encourage the better class OF publications
Issued, and the production ana republication III
large type on fair page. and abounding with ilnstra
tOns. of improved list, which shall be constantly va
yng and increasing TO meet every reasonable want OF
demand.
We need not say that this schedule is open
TO serious objection, inasmuch as it indirectly,
at least, condemns all publications that may
transcend its rather Limited bounds. We
lament, as conscientously as the best OF them,
the existence of crime, and claim some credit
for keeping THE TRIBUNE toeraby free from
gross records of gross offenses; but If murder
occurs under circumstances that bring to day
light the lower strata of vice, can we refuse to
print the faets9 We know there are prints
that gloat over such cases, and expend prOsti-
tuted talents in celebrating and decorating
with additional horror that which should bc
passed over as lightly as justice to the public
would warrant. Bat who shall undertake, and
by what right, to say that our report may be