Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-05-14

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the operations whereby he was endeavoriug
TO swindle the taxpayers, Of Springfield,
came to an end last week Wednesday in
decision setting forth that, though all the
Republican said Of Mr.. Phelps, and good
deal more, was true, the publication Of the
facts had injured the geutleman's character
800 worth, which sum Mr.. Bowles, Of the
Republican, was adjudged to pay, each party
paying his COSTS The case was appealed TO
the supreme court of Massachusetts. This
case was, under the recently passed law,
tried by the judge without jury, both par
ties consenting. The verdict is looked upon
as substantially an endorsement Of the course
of the Republican, as Phelps sued for $780,
600 and did not get enough to begin to pay
his costs.
This ease has attracted much attention
because Il involved the point of how far a
newspaper may 60 in stating facts for the
public good when those facts are such that
the public good requires their publication, and
we feel to join in the general voice of con.
graduation of the Republican on its sub
stantial vindicatioA. We reckon Mr.. Phelps
wishes to-day that he had never brought the
suit, for he not only lost ground with the
public in the evidence developed by the trial
but received a most scathing rebuke by the
judge in the rendering of the decision.
In a representative government like ours
the public press holds an important rank
among the influences which are to make or
unmake the country. AS nation we never
tire of Boosting of our liberty, of free speech
and the freedom Of the press, and, while we
would be the last to countenance license and
the abuse of its privileges by the press,
realizing the tremendous power it Yields for
good or evil, we should regard il as blow
OF the foundations of our liberty if decis-
ion were rendered by any court In the land
which should have tendency to abrige the
right ofthe press to discuss all public ques-
tons, and the public acts of individuals
with faithfulness, with fearlessncss, and
when necessary, with severity. ....
The newspaper press of America is the
grandest element in our system Of govern
ment. 1t also takes its rank as the fore.
most in the world in enterprise and indie.
pendence, and its very independence, the
boldness with which it attacks and unmaski
fraud and wrong, coupled with the bold en-.
terprise which keeps its reporters in every
spot aud place in the whole world where
civilized man can be found, is what has
gwen the American press its preeminence
among the newspapers Of the world. We
do not fear, and have not feared, that the
press is to be muzzled. Gag laws become
odious as soon as passed, and their authors
are seen hurrying to undo the evil, explain
away the law, or secure Its repeal.
While it is true that the newspaper has
such power it cannot be denied that there
are those who pervert that power to evil
purposes. There are those who can be
hired to deceive the public for money
others can be hired by office others by the
patronage of a powerful party or corpora.
ton. But they all find their level. The
public soon learn that ring paper cannot
be depended on for uncolored facts. Let a
railroad or other rich corporation own a
paper, body and soul, as they do some in
this state, and the public are not slow to
find it out. But let paper speak the truth
without fear or favor, let it bow the knee at
no earthly shrine, but speak fearlessly and
independently for the public good, regardless
of the wrath and hatred of rings and rich men,
and the people soon learn to respect its
teachings. The press has a hold upon the
people of America, and fills place in their
hearts which nothing else can fill. Imagine
this country for one week without news
paper Wouldn't the first mail that brought
a renewal of the usual supply be hailed with
cheers2
While the newspaper holds such promi.
nent position and has such mighty power
in controlling all public matters, the peO'
pie are not oblivious Of the necessity OF
maintaining inviolate the freedom Of the
press. SANDERS, libel, backmail are all
contemplate and their authors cannot be
made to smart too koenly for sowing the
seeds of poison, but on the other hand bold
manly, independent criticism Of all acts
affecting the public rises above being the
privilege or the right of the press-it is itt
duty and that paper which shrinks from the
performance of that duty, whether through
fear Of some rich mans influence or from
shiftless inactivity, fails to fulfill its mission
and deserves the distrust and lack Of popu-
larity and influence which are almost sure t.
fall to it. Ifanythiug may be called the
watchdog of Am erican liberty it is the fret
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