Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-04-25
From the Raleigh News.
Freedom of the Press.

When several Intellectual efforts were
made by Solicitor Cantweu last Fall.
to indict the JOURNAL for libel, at New
Hanover Superior Court, the Raleigh
News sounded the tocsin of alarm. and
denounced the effort to cripple and
muzzle the influence of the press in
strong, unmeasured terms.
Not because tho editors of the Will
nington JOURNAL are personal friends
not because the JOURNAL itself is a
Conservative newspaper-not because
Cantwell is a Radical Solicitor. nor
because Russell is Radical Judge,
but with a sincere purpose to vindicate
the freedom of press, to uphold one
of the chief palladiums of Republican
liberty, to preserve and protect the
rights, privileges and immunities OF
the Fourth Estate from the sacrelicious
hands that would strike down its
power. its usefulness and it's indepen-
dcnce, we have protested from the first
we believe it to be, in the bitterness of
party spirit, and carried on with the
malignancy and unscrupulousness of
political hatred and venom.
The editors of the Wilmington
and of the highest responsibility. They
men of high honor and integrity. We
do not believe this prosecution will
detract one iota from their well-earned
regulations. But it is not in the light
of any injury that may result to them
personally and pecuniarily from the
issue of this trial for libel, that should
i,,a h.
Carolina to denounce this outrage on
the freedom of the press which has
been perpetrated by Radical So
power and personal influence of a
Radical Judge.
If it be the purpose of these two
partisan officials to cripple or impair
the influence of the Journal. or to
damage it in its business, they will fail
most signally. The very means by
which they would injure il will tend to
build it up-to advance it's prosperity,
by adding to its subscription lists and
enlisting the sympathy and efforts of
its friends in its behalf.
If it be the purpose of these two
partisan officials TO break down the
Journal because it is a Conservative
and because it has the
boldness and independence to speak
out plainly and fearlessly, and to give
forth 10 uncertain sound in criticising
the conduct OF corrupt and unworthy |
then the effort will be equally |
futile and abortive.
If it be the purpose of these two |
partisan officials to crush the spirit of |
4 free presa. the effort will prove a |
nd 11 l.:
and will recoil upon the heads of the |
weak and short-sighted individuals
who have the vanity to imagine their
ouny arms can strike down one of the
strongest bulwarks of civil liberty
one of the proudest monuments Of .
rue Republican Government,
The voice of free press cannot be
drowned by judicial tyranny or intirni-
lation.
The spirit of party hate, malice and
Neither political fury and madness, nor
PERSONAL vengeance and spite, nor the
nailed hand of military power, can
lestroy it's influence or trample down
IS spirit.
Assaulted-it will return to plague
Is assailants. Crushed-it will rise
gain. Silenced for brief period
will, in the end, reassert its power
nd majesty. 1t will spring forth into
fe again, whine vigor and courage
nawed by threats unintimidated by
iolence-unharmed by abuse-unhurt
Y malice.
So long as VIC have freedom of ,
bought and of speech, We feel there I
some hope for the preservation of
he peoples liberties. But without q s
ure, fearless, incorruptible, unpur- {
lasable public press, Republican s
overnnents cannot long flourish or s
list. They will become prey to {
'rrupt rulers and tyrants--an will '
erish miserably at the hands of their {
VII citizens |