New-York tribune., 1899-07-31
THE CENSORSHIP.
THE GOVERNMENT PREVENTS A SACRED
TRUST FROM BEING CARRIED OUT.


the people for fun and truthful reports OF cur
rent events. To fulfil this there must be ia,r
and accurate account OF all questions at ISSUE ~
lowing both sides ~ every important controVe's!
an honest herring and impartial presentation
This Is impossible. however. II the Government
is be permitted TO apply the gag whenever
something Is written published displeasns 10
the powers that be. Whether at home OF abroau'
such restriction imperIls tho very genius OF ho-
erty and jeopardzes every element Of justice ana
right.
II Justice Is TO be done to ALL It is absolutely
necessary that the needs OF all should be properly
known 10 he properly apprecia ted. This Is I'M
possible without free and untrammelled press 10
as the tribune Of the people at all times. Es-
pecIally is this in colonial system sepa-
rated from the sovereign or home Government pv
great distances
II there are wrongs TO be righted or 10 be re-
dressed. It is not natural that those who may pe
guilty OF oppression or injustice even uninten-
tonal wrong possibly mistakes, shouiu
allow Of protest II II is IN their power 10 prevent
unfavorabie reports complaints concerning 'heir
conduct OF affairs.
Upon general principles the application or cell
sorship 10 press reports or comments whether az
home or abroad is contrary 10 the genius OF free-
DOM and foreign to a republican system OF gov
1t is alike unjust both 10 the govern
ment and 70 the governed. who ahould be eqnaHy
Interested in administrative justice.
II has nothing to do with the question OF eN-
pansion but rather of just government The gov
eminent nome being anxious 10 deal justly with
all concerned only do so by knowing "ha'
rightly concerns all. but II some sub-ofhcial' oy
means OF censored messages, can color all reports
70 suit some selfish purpose. may misrepresen'
the truth BY mistake. the best home Govern
ment cannot know that which is absolutely neces-
sary to a just understanding and conduct OF
affairs.
To a suborned or subservient press censorship
would have neither inconvenience nor terrors.
Such a press seeks only 10 be on the safe sius
and play the winning game, whatever that may
he. Put honest honorable journa iisH-not run
solely according 10 cash accounts or for selhsh
considerations only but directed rather WIN con-
scientious care-the only kind that will not betray
its sacred trust censorships apt 10 be insur-
mountable barriers 10 telling the truth.
Should pubcatio falsify the facts In case
or publish REASONABLE matter at any time 'hey
could be dealt with according 10 the laws ana De
properly punished. without needessly incurring or
inviting far greater evils by abolishng the only
safeguard against them.
II people were created by the Almighty merely
for the good OF government. instead OF govern
ments being created for the good OF the people
then press censOrships for the preservation ana
perpetuation Of governments would be well But
as II is believe Government that cannot
exist or carry on It's objects without the use OF
gag Law should go. and give place TO government
OF the people for the people. by the people, upon
| true republican principles. free press ana Hee
people are absolutely inseparable. freedom OF
speech and press being Identical, and lndispehha-
Die a republic
That there should be adequate laws and that
they should be properly enforced for the protec-
ton or correction Of the press, II wronged OF
wrong. doubt. nor does any one deny'
but the arbitrary assumption OF power to sup
press or repress reports OF the truth 10 the puohc
Is reprehensibe and lntolerable 20 any inteii-
gent people and should not be permitted in our
republic
Till recently it has been hoped that the real re-
sponsibiity for the concealment OF facts In the
Philippines rested upon the censor. but now II
which would look as II our nome Government
were not willing TO let the truth IN the case Oe
known 10 the American people az arg, uHTl. pJ
whom alone the Government must depend Tor sup
port . - A..
not care to let its people into its confidence ought
not 70 be trusted II IS neither denofraG 3 nor mn
tjsa spoi system that may please the poll
ticans or officehoders but can never satlSly lOya
The great issue that is or ought TO he before our
/ Government and people to-day IS the question OF
/ duty and right What ought We 70 do with the
peoples whom We have freed from Spanish op-
preston and tyranny? The people who have 20
fight the battles and pay the bllIS anu itol ~
few of the preachers who prate or pol,I'c6aIis di
DO intelligently. wisely ana coIs' m In ' Ft IN tba
full and fair compTeheI'sion OF Ii- me- ~ ~
1 case This cannot be obtained through "A censor
I shin m. when Is dnu-AHtTl'dH anu
onstic to free speech a free press % ana d - - -,
/ people Sooner or later this question Will nave 70
be settled in accordance with me conscienTe d9 o o-
America the same conscience "rI' Fu F .Sa
for the freedom Of Cuba. and emandS II lot me
Philippines. Constitutional liberty VIII @ De ~ ~
+ ferred upon our proteclordlts. .,sh n,,rss
laws and not under the code OF spanish opprrs
/ rnanent peace and bind our new territorles to us
more firmly than any military power. Ihis eh, VII
rs now from fear Of both religious and polucdi
/ oppression Then will our power not be opposed
. a.. gad in our npK
Only let us do our duty to-day. and the God VINO
determines destiny VIII GUIDE Us into ps't nor
greater prosperity and grander victories 'o-"'oi
row. H.. .,o. .ho ,r,ar,csr
/ people have been deceived in regard 10 AFFAIRS IN
/ The PHILIPPINES II also appears that TINS mas
/ 'rf ,hst II proposes TO continue the censorship
/ still This makes the matter even ~ Worse man al
, though the Government had been IN ignorance o.
/ the exact facts in the case ,, . 49,,
9nr conquest FOR political and military purposes
/ nor even commercial adventurers Interested IN eN-
! t5bitn5ines bur quite the contrary. They are the
reliable classes. the last TO Dc htaIu dIU,i' her %
/ %ailots or bullets can decide the case. They de-
nanG hIstice FOR all alike and their desire is to
b, settle all ra,bs than Of might Right will prevail
/ The greatest glory l. 70 1e righrv hrv.x METER
Chicago. July 90 1893.
ROBERT G. INGERseLLs HOME LIFE.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
! sir \ certain New-York paper has published an
article in the form Of an editorial. headed Rob
/ art q IngersoH" which seems very unkind. The
writer Of II thinks Colonel Ingersol did no good IN
/ ,he world and leaves no lasting impression. While
~, ovr views regarding the Bible differ from Colo
mel Ingersors totally. cannot refrain from say
ing / have known family. even the most
iou and har