Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-04-27
THE ,zAe ANprnE rREss,

Time has fully demonstrated that q free
and unshsckle press is the palladium Of
liberty. Despots dread nothing so much as
the newspapers. They were the terror 10
Napoleon even when his altar was in the as
cendant. There eau be no despotic govern
ments where the press is free. The Gar Of
Russia sbominates the newspapers. He
keeps a vigilant surveillance over them and
stiles every free utterance. As the time Of his
coronation approaches the newspapers that
he permits to exit are forced TO extol his
greatness and 10 commend him as a wise and
Immaculate ruler. The Gar looks upon
every American newspaper which finds its
way into his realm with as m,ch fear as the
English feel for American dynamite. A
few weeks since a copy OF Moody
aud Sankey's nymn-book found its
way into Russia-sent to an Ameri-
can missionary. This little book was re-
gsrded as torpedo ready TO explode at any
moment, and was sui jscled 10 the severest
imperial restrictions. 1t was at frat pro-
nounced as contrsband of war, but after
being eIpurgated Of the song "Hold the
Fort" the American missionary was permit
ted to sing in Russia Sankey's innocent
sonse. The American revolution set in mo.
tion the free press, and il will ever be the
terror to tyrants, tor there 10 nothing so Ell.
cient in.extirpatipg corruption and usurpa-
ton of the peoples liberties. No abuse of
power can possibly be persisted in for any
length of time, when lit is made the subject
of unrestra aimed animadversion by the press.
Establish an able and untranmeled news
paper in st. Petersburg, and what would
become of the Gar. Let anot her "Junius" be
permitted 10 expose the usurpations and cor
rupuons of the Russian government,
and how long will the inpe-
rial despot remain 90 his throne?
There are half a dozen newspapers published
in the United States, which, il given free
circulation in Russia, would revolutionizs
the government with one revolving moon.
The press is the grand engine that slseplessly
works day and night, dropping the same
thoughts into thousands of earr, and invsd
log the deep secrets OF corruption with al
most the eye Of omniscience. The American
press was the lever and fulcrum of the Revo-
linton. English despotism knew its power,
and attempted to muzzle it. 10 1922 James
franklin, brother Of the immortal Bepja-
min, was forbidden the publication of his
little newspaper, unless supervised by the
secretary Ct the Province of Massachusetts.
For the most conservative and guarded criti-
eism OF the government he was arrested and
imprisoned, and only on the most humble
petition, setting forth that his health was
broken, aud with the csetiicAte of his ply
stefan to corroboIate his statement, was he
graciously given the privilege of the prison
and jail-yard. In 1773 John Peter Z=ngen
founded the New York Weekly Journal. he
was bold and fearless leader of the great
spirit of the reTol ution which was then fast
spreading in the colonies. Ia IVA ne was
arrested and imprisoned nine months before
he could get a trial. His off5nse was a mild
censure Of the government. This arrest,
Gouyerneur Morris said, drought the dawn
of that liberty which afterWard revolution
lied America" The trial was a repetition
of the base judicial subserviency and
prostitution OF the courts which had
marked similar trials in England. Tue gov.
ernmen, party determined to crush the editor
under the weight Of legal vengeance. To &C.
0mplish this zspgen's lawyers were disbarrsd