The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-08-15
Freedom OF the Press with n Ven-
geance.


the same thing-must have persuaded the Tribune
and the HERALD to keep silent about Narragansett
Pier.
The Tribune and HERALD two of the most pow
erful journals in the world.
But they newspapers, and when Mr.. Conkllng,
from motives of personal regard any like motives.
persuades them to be still. what is the inference?
The inference is that if they spoke they would tell
the TRUTH and that the truth would be destructive to
him.
Thus the freedom of the press is maintained The
very silence these papers afirms it. Should they
speak at all everybody knows what, in conscience,
they would be compelled to say
So the silence of the HERALD and the Tribune goes
to build up the independence of the press.
We copy the foregoing article precisely
as it appeared, holding it up as mirror
in which our contemporary may behold its
own image, or rather the distorted features
which it chose to wear on this particular
occasion; for we hesitate to believe that the
article represents the deliberate sentiments
Of so respectable journal on the freedom
and independence of the press.
1t is quite true, as the Sua states, that
the HERALD forebore to publish the wild and
unauthenticated rumors which were put in
circulation few days since from Narragan-
sett Pier; and we were pleased to see that
another prominent city journal, the
Tribune, took the same view of it's duty
We do not understand the freedom of the
press as implying q freedom from moral
restraints and the rules of social decency.
It is not freedom of the press in its true
sense to print aspersions on private char
acter, nor to invade the domestic circle and
drag into publicity discussions which con-
Germ, nobody but the immediate parties
Even if the public had any title to be in
formed of the facts of the recent distressing
case, it would be the clear duty OF the press
to verify the rumors before giving them cur
rency; especially as they affect the reputa-
ton of lady and the peace and happiness
of her children. The first reports of this
painful afair were SO contradictory and
incredible that no journal had
right to publish them until it had ascer-
tanned whether there was any real founda-
ton for them. Even if that kind Of de-
traction were within the scope of legitimate
journalism something was due to the sensi-
bilities of lady who moves in the highest
circles, the daughter of great statesman
and jurist, the wife of an Ex-Governor and
ex-senator, the mother of four interest
ing children, whose home is invaded
and her happiness blighted by these
cruel scandals. Even if the worst
and widest Of the rumors were true
some consideration was due to her sex
and station. In such distressing circum-
stances every manly, generous mind should
refrain from inficting additional pain by
mi eft int
public scandal; but to do this on no better
foundation than wild gossip and exaggerated
rumors so contradictory as to carry their
own refutation on their face. is heartless
and indecent abuse of the freedom of the
press. This is our view, and we rejoice
that one of our city contemporaries adopts
the same rule for it's own guidance.
The fact that the name of distinguished
public man is mixed up in these distress
ing rumors is no excuse for deviating from
SO sound q rule. 1t does not appear that
there is any ground tor the differences
which have been drawn from the accidental
connection of distinguished public man
with this unhappy family brawl and it is
no part of the proper freedom of the press
to make itself on organ of personal detrac-
ton. This is not liberty, but license, and
the only danger to which the liberty of the
press can ever be exposed in this country
would arise from making itself public
nuisance by invading the privacy of do
mestic life.
The Sun prints warm eulogy of Cover
nor Sprague, and makes his services in the
beginning of the civil war a reason for es-
pousing his side in this distressing domes-
tic quarrel. Governor Sprague merely did
his duty on that occasion. There were
hundreds of wealthy citizens of the gallant
State OF Rhode Island who then enlisted as
private soldiers, exchanging luxury for the
dangers and hardships Of the service.
| Governor Sprague was fortunate in
having SO glorious an opportunity
to acquire distinction by leading
them to battle and enjoying the credit
of their patriotism and bravery. He did no
more than his duty as the Governor Of his
plucky little State and even if all the
praise lavished on him by the Sun were de-
served that is surely no excuse for such q
brutal exhibition as he is said to have made
of himself. To do him justice, he seems to
regret what he has done and is trying to
shield it by q commendable reticence.
Since the excitement of the occasion has
subsidized he evidently regrets his strange
conduct, and his true friends should be
willing to aid his wish to let this unpleas-
ant affair pass into speedy oblivion.
| Well. WHY Mott