The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-01-31
"Free Speech"
HCIBUUOI
ninent.

The Radicals must have persuaded them
selves that the people of this country have
forgotten all its recent history, and have aD-
jured all common sense.
They tell us that they are the advocates
of free speech. But if their pretension is to
be einterpreted by their conduct, the words
must be taken sin a Pickwickian sense"
During the war, Mr. Vallandigham, dis
tinsuished citizen OF Ohio, thought he had
right to express his convictions as to the
unconstitutional proceedings OF Radlcailsm.
But when he undertook to exercise that right,
the ruling party first imprisoned him and
then drove him into exile. Immediately
after the war Southern editors were deeply
impressed with the importance OF encourag-
inc and directing a subdued and impover-
ished people, and Of calling attention to the
official corruption of those who were oppres-
sing and plunderins, under various pre-
texts, every community and well-nigh every
citizen in the conquered States. The South
was reduced to bankruptcy; it was being
rapidly reduced to starvation by the hungry
cormorants who were devouring all its SUBJ
stance. But the press was muzzled; many
newspapers were suspended, many editors
imprisoned. For smaller offence-that of
publishing an obituary notice OF Confede-
rate soldier-an Augusta editor was cast
into felon's CELL Editorials were not al
lowed to be published until they had been
approved at headquarters. None were al
lowed to s'peep or mutter' until the abun-
dance of the land was consumed, and peo-
pie dwelling in one OF the most favored re-
gions of the globe were standing face to face
with famine, when private munilicencc re-
store, in some small measure, what Radi-
cal greed had taken away.
During that dark day when Radicalism
was omnipotent, gentleman convcrsing
with friend at street corner in one OF our
Southern cities, made the remark tnat, in
view of the immense national debt he did
not believe that greenbacks would turn out
any better than Confederate currency. The
remark having been overheard by syco-
phant or spy, the gentleman was informed
upon, and was in few hours hurried off to
Jail And q similar system OF espionage and
tyranny was maintained during the war,
throughout the North. No man was safe
who expressed doubts as to the wisdom or
patriotism of the ruling party. They liked
free speech so well that they boarded free
speakers at government expense in every
Bastile, from Chicago to Key West-furnish-
ing many Of them with light employment,
in cracking stones, carrying balls and
chains, hanging by the thumbs and the like.
When afterwards the iron heart OF Andy
johnson melted towards his people and he
was abused therefor by every Radical press
and every Radical Congressman, he used
the same sort of ''free speech" in reply, and
was impeached for it, as everybody knows.
The 10th article, urged against the President
by General Butler-insulted immaculate
charged him with 'making speeches on
''three different occasions which were disre-
'sspectful toward Congress!" If the Presi-
dent spoke about Congress at all, how could
he be complimentary?
Nay, to what person, or State, or depart
ment OF government do the Radicals allow
free speech, if that speech is unfavorable TO
their projects, and if in any way they can
prevent its utterance? The President wears
q check rein as we'll as his horse. The dcci-
sions OF the Supreme Court are menaced
and restrained. The sufrages OF uncon-
strained majorities are reversed; their con-
ventions are dominated by the bayonet;
their representatives in Legislatures and in
Congress are denied the right of speaking
and voting in their behalf. On the one side
scandal is used as political capital. A food
of Billingsgate is discharged upon every one
who opposes Radicalism. He is traitor,
rebel, copperhead, bloated aristocrat,
an iucendiary and slare-stealcr. But let
him reply; let him undertake to show that
he is not u criminal, but victim; let him
clamor for Republican justice and liberty;
let him prepare to do battle for constitutional
guarantees and social order and vested
right, and then, these blatant advocates Of
free speech will garrote him if they can.
When the Democrats rule, free speech is
enjoyed by the whole community; when the
Radicals rule, it is the monopoly OF party
and, indeed, the speech is very free, SO far
as it goes!
Tn Mc,nnrinm