The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-06-28
LIBEL SUITS.

The Galveston Nsws is to be congratulated,
the press of the state and Of the country is to
be congratulated upon the issue of the 70
cent libel suit it had upon its hands AT
the same time the News is to be commended
for the gallant determined and plucky fight is
has made in the case. Tho press looked on
with eagorness for the involved interest was
common. The result is in accord with all
limlar Efforts to muzz Q a free and independ-
ent journalism, to suppress statements OF
facts in which public are concerned
and who have right to demand the
exposure for their own informs-
ton and the general social enlightenment. 1t
IS about time that some lessons were learned
in the matter of these publications. Thoro
Ia not day passes that tho editor OF large
daily newspaper Is not applied to. to refrain
from publishing in his columns, some cour
proceeding, some criminal act, or some pub
lie thing which may disturb ones social
status or iDiure some private financial specula.
ton, wherein some one else may be injured
by silence. 1t is often done, true, by partie:
who do not stop to think that other gu bs crib.
ers are - much interested by the intelligence.
There is what may be term.
ed license sometimes tsker
by the press. List it here be emphatically
announced and forever distinctly understood
that we have no respect for that, and do rep
rebate 1t to the extreme. Character snt
reputation are too valuable TO be even light
ly spoken Of in private circles, when facts dc
not warrant, and certainly are far too val
liable to be injured by a newspaper article
that is to be read by thousands to-day snt
tomorrow and for all time. The disreputa
BILE elements of the fratrai,y that indulge
10 reckless ailments, in regard
to men or events, or that
descend to the iniquitous role
of blackmailers, ought to be sent to and con
fined within those walls where stripes are il
vogue and the power for mischief limited
But for the liberty of the press we have tn,
highest regard, and place it on no less Gle
waited sphere than the independence of tn
Judiciary. The press that exposes 10 it
readers = wrong, is no more to DO censure
or even Inconvenience by the actor, thai
the judge who summarizes for the jury tn
evidence in the cause of the culpri,; nelhe
is responsible for the existence Of tho fact
complained of by the unhsppy individual
II is to the press that the people look 70
all manner of information, and it
It's duty to supply the demand. This ago /
seeking intellectual advancement and mora
improvement and to the furtherance of thes
ends is required the fules! possible light o
all subjects that concern it. 1t wants some
thing more than the torch,lignt dimuess, o
even the gsslight exposure; 1t is seeking th
powerful electric light Of complete revels
ton for all things. Surely no one whose Iii
is pure aud good, whose designs are honors
bic, whose conduct IS fair and just towar
his fellows, can object to such dsclos
ute. Ga the contrary, If Their
is the slightest shadow placed on him
he should rather seek for the a,oi light.
full efulgenco that will produce the ,ru
case. 1t Is only the rascal who breads detec
ton, that endesvors to avoid, and labors I
avert anything like disclosure. Wo ar
speaking of public matters, those that con
Germ the general welfare of tho socis
organization. Hold all newspaper proprie
tors, cay we, to the severesl accountable
for any wrong done, for any damages pro
duced by publications untrue, or even in
discreo; for, If they do not understand tn
great responsibility of their positions an,
acts, then so much tho worse for them; bu
In the name of that liberty whose price
eternal vigilance, restrain not Their ute,
ances on any OF those things which ought t
DO known to u community, interested in IN
suppression of wrong, tho lettering of il
moral status and tho Increase of It's genera
Intellectual wealth.
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