Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1874-07-12
COMMENCEMENT OF POSSIBILITIES.

By our Washington kilograms we
learn that the Grand Jury Of the District
of Columbia has found two bills of in
dictments for libel against Dana. We
do not regret this. 1t is well that the
full deformity of the gag law should be
shown at once, and to do so the attempt
must be made to enforce it. The pro-
ceedings have been had at the instance
of Shepherd. who, like all convicted
rogues, is smarting under the disgrace
Of exposure and the lash of public GEN.
sure. His ill temper is accompanied by
a corresponding lack of sense, and. We
are happy to say, he is taking the very
course to thoroughly arouse public iniig-
nation against the gag bill and its au-
thors. If Dana has committed any
crime, it was done in the State of New
York, of which Commonwealth he is q
citizen. That State alone has cogni-
zance Of offsnses committed against her
laws, and what constitutional right the
Courts of the District Of Columbia have
to interfere, it would take such lawyers
as Williams and Akerman to discover
We have, however, to apologize for being
SO old-fogyish as to suppose that the
venerable instrument known as the Con-
stitution Of the United States is entitled
to the slightest respect. That honored
document has become the Jest and
scoff of the men that form the majority
of Congress and the Senate. They have
no more true knowledge OF or care for its
restrictions than hog has for its pro-
genitors. If they had they would never
have given the Court Of one Territory
jurisdiction over alleged offenses COM
mitted in another or in a State. But il
is 10 use referring to the precious legacy
bequeathed to US by another and purei
era. It is simply dissertation to dis
cuss it in reference to the wretches who
have tried to stife the voice OF the press
The only mode of combating them is
to rouse their fears or appeal to
their cupidity, for they are az
cowardIy and arvaricious as they are
vengeful and cruel. They, in their turn,
must be put on trial before the great
assizs of the people, and they will
find that they will have to heed that
tribunal, though they may make
laughing stock OF the Constitution framed
by men whose shoes they are not worthy
to clean. But they have begun the war,
80 let them take the consequences. To
crafty their own and the malice OF de-
tected swindlers, they have attacked
power that has ere this fought and con
quered nobler, drawer and ADLER foes thar
they are. Let them 60 on, drag Dant
t. Washington, convict him by packed
jury, and sentence him by corrup
Judge. Let them do all this il the.
dare. They will find that their fancie'
victim, the press, represents the people
That one cannot be oppressed withou
the other feels the injury. They wi
find that the people know this, and vii
so readily, 80 sternly, so menacingl.
espouse the cause of the press as thei
own, that the authors, aiders and abet
tors-from a lobby-lackey like Gorhan
to the President, who approved the bill
will only be too ready to disown thei
share in so vile business. We spea
in strong terms, and cannot help dom
80. The occasion is one when mincine
half-hearted expressions are out of place
Therefore, we do now, and will Away
under any circumstances, contend TO
the liberty of the press and the punisl
ment of the miserable conspirators VIII
have dared to offer it so great an insu
and SO infamous an outrage.