Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-07-18
Freedom of the Press.

1t argues from the start that q leg
islative enactment is a poor, unjust
thing, which is introduced and put
through at the very last hour of the
congressional session. 1t is time
then of hurry and confusion. Mem
bers are tired out by the protractcd
debates and the long sessions which
are continued long into the night.
Sore are doing. Some are loung-
ing in the ante-rooms. Some are at
home in their beds. While Others
are in a condition in which it matters
little to them whether there is Con-
gress or not. Then it is that few
alert ones are wide awake to their
opportunity, A bill is introduced
which in other circumstances would
meet with debate, and, perhaps, sharp
est opposition, but which now slips
through without question, and be'
fore the Legislators themselves know
of the matter, it has become a nation
al law.
1t was under such circumstances as
these that a bill was reported and
passed without debate at q night ses.
sion of the late Congress. What arc
all its features we are not as yet able
to say, for there is always an air q
mystery surrounding these last nights
enactments that it takes some time tc
clear up. But of the animus of the
enacted measure we know too we'll
1t is blow struck at the liberty o
the press. 1t is intended to restrain
public opinion as it has hitherto
found expression against the corrup
ton and the bad conduct of public
servants. 1t so far amends and add,
to the old statutes in respect 10 libel:
as makes it possible in suits for sucl
causes to begin proceedings at Wash.
ington against the offending editor
arrest him by warrant and bring hin
to the District for trials. So much is
known Of this act which was SNUG
gled through Congress. 1t was mean
to be retaliatory upon the press al
large which has canvassed so full,
the action of public men, and in cases
of misdemeanor has held up to til,
public gaze the guilty for unmeasuret
loathing and contempt.
We think that it was an exceed
ingly foolish thing for Congress 70 do
We have no doubt that q portion o
the press has transcribed the limit,
of propriety and truthfulness in it,
condemnation of some men ant
measures. 1t may have dealt in false
hood. 1t may have struck its heavy
blows under the impulse Of party pre-
jndice and personal hostility. 1t may
have exasperated honest and tru,
men by its spirit of unfairness, anc
its indiscriminate and utterly falls,
ordinations of honest, we'll deserving
public servants. Grant all that ha
been charged against the newspapers
OF the country, yet we say again tina
congressional measure which look!
to a practical lettering and silencin!
of the journals of the land is boil
foolish and dangerous. The attemp
carries US back to days of despotism
or carries us over into France, wher,
society and government are so rottei
that an outspoken opinion can shak
them to peices in week. Talk a
Congressman will Of the unbridlet
license of the press, it is to the pres
that we owe the awakening and di
rection Of public opinion which has
done so much during these p st tel
years to expose and punish tn
mighty corruptionists who have bee
plnndering city and nation, and un
dermning public and private virtu
everywhere. II the newspapers Q
America had done nothing more thar
4 to put Tweed behind the bars Of
prison, and SILVER the Shepard Rim
at Washington, it had done enough t.
: win the gratitude Of every homes
man the country through 1T had don
enough to condone for all the offence
with which Congressman hav
charged It, We deprecate as muc
/ as any, the undue license in whic