The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1876-09-15
FREEDOM OF OPINION.
Be Liberal in all Things, but be just

7 lteA@
Be Liberal in all Things, but be just
One Of the proud boasts Of an American Cit
zen il this is lsnd Hand Of liberty; an 1asy
hun for the oppressed of every nation wher
free speech is vouehsafed to every one wher
men can not only worship God according TO tn
Dictates Of their own consciencrs, but wher
political opinion is an unshackled prerogaiy
10 be duly exercised as conviction Of duty am
inclination oE Judgment may dir ct. This lib
erty is what makes the voter sovereign, am
the rul-r the servant this is what distinguish
rs in Large degree Republic from Militar.
DespatisIn Free Speech and Free Press ar
the safeguards of Liberty -s-ninels on tn
waichiower-that cocdemns The wrong and DE-
tends the right. A free press especially is tn
palladium of liberty, and when any govern
ment or people gags the press, through pen
aties or threats, then indeed the people may
mourn for the wicked ruleh and popular free
dom is lost.
| A venal, corrupt press, that tawns and play
| the sychopha.t 10 sec ire favor, plaudits anC
patronage i. unworthy Of a peoples support
but press that in the face opposition and par
tizan prejudice dsres to do right stands by
those cherished principles born of honest, con
scientious convictions of duty that hates ty.
| ranny, dpspises corruption that has the man
lues- TO battle tor the right as God gives it the
,i.r tr hac
ed, for peoples liberties are always safe in it'
hands.
What was our surprise the other day TO be
told by one ofour old and esteemed citizens,
that he had heard three gentlemen say thai
they would cease to take the JOURNAL if we
supported Dahney against FELTON, Now,
when political opponents in their Incorporate
zeal for the success of their favorie candidates
become unwilling to. tolerate an honest
difference of choice and opinion, Its reflection
not upon MS, but themselves. What kind Of
liberty do you call tliatG You want to enjoy
the undisputed right of talking for your favo-
rite candidate, voting for him aud working for
him, but you would deny the same liberty, the
same freedom of opinion, the same right of adj
vocacy aud vote to any one who may differ
with you, under penalty OF withdrawal Of pat
ronage. The right of opinion and expression
must be enjoyed by none but those who think
aud act as you do. Do you think that is fair,
Just and generous Do YOU believe in over
awlng, menacng aud intimdating free press
in that styleY DO You not think the bride. to
silence the press would tend to make it vena,
corrupt and impotenti In other words
wouldn't you lose confidence in the man and
his protested principles if he was to go contrary
to his known convictions of duty and right p
WOuldnt you cease to respect him. Indeed,
you would! And we We're So base as to bar
ter the JOURNAL, go against our convictions
and principles, play the tawnng sychOphant
and contemplate hypocrite in order to retain or
secure the patronage of any man or set Of men,
we would be unworthy the support and esteem
If any honorable, intelligent, heightened people.
We wouldn't occupy such position, If we
have any individual rights we want to enjoy
them unmoiested like other men. We don't
$3.50, ~, ..st.oddIa tho f.nca,, onJ crooL tho
l'IoPoso ~ oe ~. i','" ,%n. ,Li;s .ne
w o' ~ 10y
lo'loW 'aNii" ,e.'o "as" l 'L' os'''o III
an" "a 1u, tp;','I ' Nm - al
the more, though differing with us in choice
We shall maintain our position and adhere to
our CONNECTIONS and principles if it breaks down
our business and a more plant tool supplants
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