Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1871-09-09
FREEDOM OF THE PRESS.

There is nothing that is more jealousy
guarded by public opinion in America
than the freedom of the press. So sensi-
tive is the public mind on this subject that
any effort to circumscribe the scope Of ac-
ton of a newspaper, though such paper
may be more than half wrong, always acts
for its benefit. This is as it should be. So
long as the press does not abuse the conf
dence and good will thus manifested, it
will continue thus. One of the most fatal
plumbers ever made by the Tammany
thieves, was their effort to crush the
Times by an ejectment suit, whereby they
expected to get possession of its building
and silence its powerful batteries, which
Numbered day after day at the strong cita-
del of corruption. The plain statement of
facts, put forth in thevigorous style which
characterizes the Times editorials, carried
conviction to the minds Of every one, but
the attempt to silence the paper, to crush
it under the immense weight of the Tam
many Ring, was received with public in
dignation, which found expression in
various ways, and in thunder tones. Even
the honest Democratic papers of the cOun-
try speak out, giving no uncertain sound.
Hear the Augusta ConStitotjondList.:
The Tammany Ring has overreached itself in
its tyraHical effort to crush out the New York
Times by an sjectment suit to get possession Of
the Times building for the City. From what
we can understand Of the case, there is no chance
in law or equity for the City to recover, and
this is not expected by the Tammany Ring;
Their object appears to be to crush out and
silence the Times newspaper by an expensive
litigation, or avenge themselves for its fierce
and damaging attacks on the Ring, and its ter
rife exposures of frauds and populations.
This is a contest Of more than local interest.
1t involves more than a mere municipal quarrel
over the fands of the City treasury, and the
tricks of politicians to obtain money and Of
fee. New York City politics have been a
scandal and disgrace for more than q genera
ton. They have been a bye-word and a re-
proach among men, without distinction of par
ty, elsewhere.
But in the present case principles and rights
are involved dear alike to Democrats and Re-
publicans everywhere. There is an audacious
effort on the part of the Tammany politicians
having control of the city finances to prosecute
and break down a city paper for the offense of
exposing their corruphons. In a case like this
public opinion and sympathy have but one side.
Throughout the country, and In every section,
an attack like this upon the freedom of the
press Is viewed as an attack on public liberty.
The motives of the editors of the Times are lost
sight of in the more fragrant corruption of the
motives of its assailantS. The title of the owners
of the Times building, it is alleged by them
can be established by an irrefragible chain.
But it will cost money to defend it against per-
sstent attacks with all the skillful appliances of
the law, welded by revengeful Ring, who
pay the expenses on their side out of the city
treasury. The result, however will be to in
crease the popularity and business of the Times
to degree that its enhanced value as proper
ty will more then compensate for the outlay
in defending its title
This is blast from source that cannot
be said to be influenced by partisan feelings
1t is an outburst of Indignation from an
honest man, at an effort made by corrupt
ring TO infringe upon the freedom of the
press because of worthy effort to eX
pose official corruption. Just as the Con-
StitutionaIiSt says, any effort to muzzle the
Times will only result in increasing the
popularity and business of the office ito
degree that its enhanced value as aprOper-
ty will more than compensate for the out
lay in defending its title" The rule will
apply to any similar effort to crush news
paper under similar circumstances, and
from similar motives. Verify, IAN attack
like this upon the freedom of the Press, is
viewed as an attack on public liberty" and
will receive condemnation from honest
men accordingly.