The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-05-27
The Freedom OF the Pre- 5.

the great difficulty in the way of press asso-
Citations has been that spirit of intolerance
which attempts TO secure freedom of one
class by restricting the privileges of every
other class. It is provided, for example,
in the constitution of the Georgia Press
Association chat any member who takes adj
vertising from an agency objected to by the
association shall be expelled, and that
member who shall take advertisements be-
low the minimum rates fixed by the asso-
ciatlon shall be expelled and stricken from
the exchange list of the entire association.
There are in other associations, we believe,
similar penalties for using ''patent out
sides, as they are called. Such rules are,
and must be, Objectionable to publishers
who understand their business, and these
either refuse to become members, or, IN be-
coming members, put themselves at seri-
GUS disadvantage by obeying rules which
other members quietly and constantly Vio-
late. The South Carolina journalists, in
forming a press association last week,
steered clear Of the rock on which other or
CARNATIONS have been wrecked, and declare,
in their constitution, that 'no mandatory
rule or regulation shall be considered or
adopted which shall interfere in any way
with the right Of the members to conduct
their business in the way they deem best"
In business matters, such as rates of adver-
tising, the cash system, etc., the work of
the association will be purely suggestive,
the members at their meetings take counsel
together, and each member determines for
himself whether he can advantageously
change his business arrangements. BY MAX
ing each others acquaintance, the different
editors, whatever their political views, form
friendly relations, which tend to put an
end to unpleasant personalities in which
newspapers are wont to indulge at each
others expense; and, amongst other things,
each member Of the association will receive,
in confidence, whatever information affect
ing the character Of advertisers and adver-
Using agencies may come into the posses
sion OF every other member. Any editor or
proprietor OF newspaper or other periodi-
cal publication in Texas shoald be eligible
to membership. Indeed, the association
should have the broadcast possible founda-
tien, and free from any question likely to
breed discord and dissensioN. This, we
think, has been done in Texas, and we trust
that every editor and publisher of the State
will at once send in his application for
membership to the press association.
The press association could not close its
eyes to the fact that the working politi-
clans, the whole country, In and out of
Congress, are engaged in a crusade against
the press. That which cannot be bFibed to
praise or bullied into silence, must, If pos
sible, be broken down by rules for con-
tempt, by actions for damages, and by Grim
inal prosecutions and high postal rates. In
no other way can corrupt officeholders hope
to secure immunity for past offenses, or the
opportunity to steal more. This is as true
In Massachusetts,, and Louisiana, and New
York as in South Carolina, and the South
Carolina Press Association, after mature
deliberation, unanimously adopted the fol-
lowing preamble and resolutions:
WHEREAS, vigorous and systematic eff
forts have been made by judicial process,
BY civil actions and by criminal prosecu-
tons 70 force the press TO be silent when
the public good requires that its utterances
shall be bold, truthful and constant: and
Whereas, a continuance of the prosecu-
ton OF the public press in South Carolina
threatens 20 deprive the people of their last
aud strongest barrier against tyranny and
yenality. Therefore,
hceo(cod, That we most emphatieallyco con-
denim any attempts, from whatever source
and IN whatever guise they come, TO abridgo
N any way tho freedom Of the press IS guar
anteed to the people by the organic law Of
the State.
hssoisei, That We look upon all inter
ference with the chartered rights of the
press 70 Inquire into the conduct Of public
officers, aud 10 print whatever matter is
proper Tor public Information, a. practice
dangerous IN its tendency. subversive Of
right insulting 20 justice, fraught with
cyli, and to be denounced and resisted AZ
all times, on all occasions, aud by an law
ful means.
Tins Is a new declaration OF indepen
dence. made earnestly, calmly, and with A
liked purpose 20 maintain and defend that
freedom Of the press which, in these DAYS.
ls the last hope and refuge Of the people.
Public plunderers care nothing for praise.
The one thing they want is, siieDot' Unless
ne press speak out, the masses Of the peo-
PIE remain m ignorance Of the misconduct
O. tnelr iasthless servants, and the press
cannot speak cut, unless the courts and the
people hold inviolate that right 20 sneak
fer the public good, which Is SoeranteslI ~
The press by tie Constitution 81 this state
and olthe United States. Newspaper pab-
titners can, Tor time, 30 prosperous and
N poace, = they only close their ewes u the
iollies AID crimes Of public officers 81 hirh
and low degree. When, therefore. lie
conductor Of the press animated br
sense q duty, dmW she sword and throw
away TIE scaohaPi, when thoy proclaim ur.r
@ TIE knife against s.hOnorable' knaves
and sidistinguishcdn villains, they nav
with Iropriefy and reason. demand ana ex-
pccl the support and connlenanco Of the
pnbIic aud, above all. they must stand
together and present bold and solid front
60 tho common enemy. This, We irust. the
Press Of South Carolina and 81 Texas viii
hereafter do. and they need not fear thai