The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-11-07
The Liberty Of the Press.

Among those things regarded as saefeo
and most soIemniy guaranteed by the
Constitution Of the United States and
reiterated in the State Constitutions, =
the freedom Of speech and Of the pres.
And any attempt to silence or circum-
scribe the press, except By suit or IN
dietment when this freedomis alleged to.
have been used uninstly to the injury or
against the fair name Of Others, is irreg-
uIar and without warrant; and any ar
bitrary use Of power in q judicial or
other officer to silence or punish an edi-
tor for criticism, must be regarded by
the press of the country and the public
generally as a usurpation Of power and
a tyranny that should be promptly re-
sisted, and for which punishment should
be speedily administered. During the
sitting of the recent term of the Hot
Springs, Arkansas, court, u. G. Harris,
the editor Of the Horse Shoe, published
severe criticisms on the course and
rulings of Judge ]. B. Wood in the case
of the State against one Rugg. For this
the Judge summoned the editor to APP
pear on the charge of contempt of court.
In very able defense the accused de
clared himself innocent of the charge, as
any utterance or opinion to constitute
contempt must take place within the
hearing of the court. The court differed
| in its construction of contempt. Their
the accused offered to introduce testi
mony to prove every charge made in hi
paper. This the court refused TO allow
and, in spite of every remonstrance
passed sentence of ten days imprison
ment and imposed fine of fifty dollars
The sentence was duly executed, and o.
, the 10Th ultimo Mr. Harris emerge'
, from the Jail martyr to the cause Of tn
: freedom of the press. That the actiol
of the judge was an exhibition OF VI
warranted assumption of power and
fragrant act of tyranny, will hardly b
questioned for a moment. 1t is aston
ishing to US, that the prisoner did no
secure his Liberation by writ of habea
corpus and take steps at once to in
peach Judge that would take such e.
traordinary measures to yindicate h
r supposed dignity.
5, The press and the people of the cour
e try cannot let such a precedent pas
e without rebuking and denouncing i
ie If our papers cannot say whatever the
!, please, and the people in assemblies {
otherwise speak their sentiments freel.
n restrained only by the fear of an actio
&c at law for the abuse of this right, the
our liberties are daily and hourly
a jeopardy. During the administratio
a. of the elder Adams the famous alien an
p sedition laws were passed, by whic
those who spoke disrespec fully of I'll
administration could be punished
8 aliens by Punishment, and citizens b
imprisonment and otherwise. Mat the
!, Lyons chose to assert the right of tn
press to criticise the government an
= was tried and imprisoned. Mr.. Tho
Jefferson declared the laws tyrann
cal and infamous, and demanded thei
repeal. This was one of the main issue
on which he was elected to the Presider
cy, and with his election the freedom Q
speech and of the press triumphed, an
, the offensive laws were swept from tn
statute books. Ever since this the mel
have been few who had the termerit,
to interfere with this inalienable ri CHI
In the present case Judge Wood ha,
his recourse at law as any other citizen
: Since he has proceeded so summarily, h
has laid himself liable to an action 70
damages, as well as subjected himself +
impeachment.
For the honor Of the press, for til
sake of the cause of freedom every
where, we hope he will be proceede,
against by both methods. Mr.. Harri
has good cause; let him see that tn
man who hampers with his rights
promptly, properly and signaiIy pur
7 ished, and let the press and people 0
t Arkansas, and of the whole countr
{ make common cause with him and reI
der him every assistance by outspoke
| condemnation of so high handed
t measure.