The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-01-30
THE FIRST LIBEL SUIT.
The Early Struggles for the Lib
erty of the Press.

out III c0nnecuOn WIN tne celeDfatlOn
of the introduction of printing into the
Middle Colonies nothing is more inter-
csting than the light thrown upon the
achievement of the liberty of the press
which was accomplished after so many
struggles in Pennsylvania. 1t was
here that the first and greatest fight
occurred, and here that the first victory
was won. While the infant press. in
the rest of the world was under censor
ship and but the hired mouthpiece Of OPP
preston, in Pennsylvania first of all it
became the popular voice and express
preston Of the peoples will. 1t is
asserted of Bradford that he was the
first man anywhere to maintain the
freedom of the press against arbitrary
power. In 1859 in Pennsylvania some
questions arose between the people and
Captain John Blackwell, the then Gov
ernor. Bradford printed the charter,
but, anticipating trouble, did not put
his name to it. He was called to &C.
count by the Governor, who plainly
told Bradford that he should print
nothing but what the Governor should
allow. He claimed to have orders for
the suppression of printing here and to
look after Bradford's press.
After this Bradford, satisfied that he
had better leave Pennsylvania, pre-
pared to do so. Meantime, however,
disscnsion broke out among the profess
sing and ruling Quakers in power and
the QuakerS who were out of power
and for a pamphlet directed against the
former Bradford was arrested and his
press and type seized. Bradford con-
Quoted his WI case, Directing to two
of the jurymen because they had ex-
pressed opinions not only as to the fact
of his having published the paper, but
rs to its being of a sedltiuus character.
When the Prosecuting Attorney said to
him: "Didst thou at any time hear
them say that thou printed the paper,
for that is only what they are to tind?"
Bradford replied: ''That is not only
what they are to find. They are to find
also whether this be a seditious paper
or not"
Thus on the soil of Pennsylvania the
father of the press in America asserted
in 1902 a principle in the law of libel
hardly then conceived anywhere, which
English judges, after the struggle of
the great Wing Chief Justice and Chan
cellor Lord Camden and of the brilliant
declaimer, Mr.. Erskine, were unable to
reach, though at q later day it was es-
tablished in England by the enactment
of Mr.. Fox's libel bill in Parliament
itself. A most curious circumstance
caused this bill to be decided in favor
Of Bradford, which of itself was tho
first victory in the world for the free
dom of the press. The prosecution
had to prove that Bradford print
ed the pamphlet, but when he did
it he took good care that no one
saw him. Having no other evidence.
the Prosecuting Attorney brought out
the form, already seized by
him, from which the pamphlet
had been printed. This was
seized upon with exultation
by the prosecuting party. Even on
that evidence in all probability Brad
ford would have been thrown into
prison and temporarily, at least, sup
pressed. But while the form was being
examined by the jurymen, who could
mot read the type backward without
looking at the type closely, the chase
along the panel was accidentally moved
and all of a sudden, the quoins getting
loose, the mass of type fell to the floor
in pi. The evidence had disappeared
by magic and Bradford was acquitted,
The accession Of james II. prevented
Bradford from going to England, butt
decree in Pennsylvania, that he should
print nothing about religion that had
not been passed upon by a council,
drove him to New York, where at first,
as paid Crown Printer on a salary, he
printed only such things as proclama-
lions, royal notices, etc., as directed.
After a good deal Of a row about this
time, ''for the satisfaction of the pco-
ple,' Governor Fletcher consented to
have the votes of the Council and As
sembly printed, though not the papers
and messages passing between his Ex-
cellency and that body. That this was
a concession mny be inferred from the
fact that in Virginia the prohibition,
directed personally against Bradford,
who was trying to establish o branch
there, ordered '.that no one should use
the printing press on any occasion
whatever.
Associated with William Bradford in
the early efforts in behalf of the, liberty
Of the press In Pennsylvania and in this
country is the name Of Andrew Hamil-
ton. Had it not been for his efforts in
behalf Of free speech and writing the
name of Andrew Hamilton would have