The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-06-23
The Freedom and Dignity of the Press

untrammelled, outspoken and inde-
pendent Democratic paper has never
been within the nature or gifts of the
editor of the Columbian, and whoever
expects any other by him will be disap.
pointed. "To speak his thoughts is
every freeman's right" and every prop.
er EDITORS duty, and we decidedly object
to and rebel against the doctrine tn at
conventions of politicians-whether
composed of seedy and beggared pat
riots or of better ilk-can change the
principles ofa party. The principles OF
the Democratic party and of the writer
are those enunicated by its great leader
and founder, THOMAS JEFFERSON, and
these will endure for all time despite
the Vaccinations sofpoliticians or Others.
AS to the duty of the press in such
emergency as existsat present, we quote
and endorse the following from the
Clinton Democrat, an able and vigorous
exponent of true Democracy, to wit:
Some of our Democratic cotempora-
ries are meeting the discussion of the
ninth resolution of the Cassidy plat
form by kind of gag.law argument,
in attempting to silence discussion by
jority, and, therefore, that the press
should "shut up' and submit in silence
to this expression of the scheming will
of majority of the late State Conven-
ton. They ought to place themselves
on higher grounds, for that position is
unsound and untenable. 1t has for its
basis the unrepublican idea that DEM
Ocratic Convention can do no wrong. If
carried out to its final consequences, it
would result in suppressing free discus
sion-would muzzle the press, and give
dictatorial powers to comparatively
Insignificant and sometimes ignorant
few.
The principle enunciated by Jefferson
was "that though the will of the ma
jority is in all cases to prevail, that will,
to be rightful, must be reasonable; the
minority possess their equal rights,
which equal laws must protect, and to
violate which would be oppression"
This was written in reference to the
voice of the people, and enunciated a
principle of Democratic government.
1t has been taken up aud made to do
good service as matter of party discip-
line, and when applied to the nomina-
tion of candidates, 1t is the safest and
best rulethat has been suggested. When
a convention crystallizes public senti-
ment in the form of resolutions, it is
the voice of the people speaking through
their accredited representatives, and, so
recognizing it, the press las been found
uniformly supporting and commencing
them. But when conventions make
declarations outside of Democratic prin-
ciples and at variance with the unbro-
ken history of the party and press, and
especially when they are sprung upon
the people in cabalistic manner with
out previous warning or discussion by
speakers or the press-they go outside OF
the rule of discipline and arrogantly
assume right that does not and should
not belong to them. 1t is unreasonable
to demand of the press to keep silent
under such circumstances, though ii
may be policy on the part of the movers
to urgeit.
Those who would suppress discussion
are trying TO warp great principle OF
Democratic government into a mere
| disciplinaryrule, and make it do service
| for a few by silenclng discussion. 1t is
wrong, and we repudiate the position
We yield to none in support of Demo
cratic principles, nor would we otiel
factious opposition; but we hold the
freedom of the press too high to sub
scribe to such a doctrine. We are o
those who do not believe in the infalli
bility of Democratic or any other con
ventions of men.
The press have right to and shoulo
| discuss the acts of their own represen
tatives in the spirit of criticism wher
necessary as well as of applause. The
freedom of the press requires it, and tn,
integrity of that opinion it would mole
commands it. The people are the gov
ernment, and in the crucible of publi
opinion, alone should all public meas
ures bo tried, and the press, as the me
dium of that opinion, would fail in ii
duty if it shrunk from fair discussion
of the platform and allowed itself TO b.
be forced into the contemplate, insig
niiicant position of blind fuglemen O
whatever may be dictated by part.
convention. Yield all becoming obedi
ence to discipline, work hard for part
success, but never give up or surrende
one jot or title of the liberty ofthe pres.