Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-09-02
EIGHT I I A GEES
.sATuRpAY. SEPTEMBER 2. 1889
3A FREE PRESS is THE FOE OF
siii55 &. WRONG.

sssssSsS The Virginian Bill of Rights declares
sSss TIM the freedom of the press is one
Il of the great bulwarks OF liberty" That
II is true, Where the press is not free,
there Ia no liberty, and n venal or SER
%Aiyilespress is one OF the most dangerous
n engines that can be employed to de-
z etroy liberty and keep men slaves. Yet
~ the declaration OF our Bill Of Rights Is
NJ often misunderstood, and 1t Is quoted
Il IN many cases as IL 1t said "the press
i IS one OF the great bulwarks of liberty"
IS Iyhe reas the press is frequently the
10 fortress OF tyranny, oppression and all
ss public abuses.
IT. is dot the press, but the freedom
SSof$ the press, that Is n great bulwarle
"a of liberty; and 1t is Important to keep
ss this distinction in mind. a press Is
';snot free that is brlbcd and corrupted,
b orsintimidnted; or that for any reason
d as G subservient to government, or It's
Il administration, or the powers that be.
The fawning supporter defender and
applauder of rulers, through thick and
u thin, do what they may. cannot be free
Ss1tself, nor car it in any degree con-
n Etttute a bulwark or liberty but is. on
II he contrary, q part OF the machinery
sAof despotism; and how true all this Is.
n In spite of our history, traditions, con-
Ssetituttons, institutions and boosted
q mission OF human freedom, is shame
fully proved and illustrated by the
r apostate and prostitutcd press that to-
'siisnay shouts for bloody subjugation in
IL the Philippines. demands u strong
" tanding army, applauds Imperialism,
y Knocks at self-government and the con-
sent of the governed, truculently
IN hrea tens free -sneech. ieers at all the
&prtnciples and professions of American
" alberty and independence, and DULLES
Il both patriotism and piety with the
4 manners, morals and mephitic phrases
81 bfa political leprosy.
SS free press is n glorious organ of
81 truth and right; and even If it err, it
n provides its own corrective in main
Z Haining freedom and independence of
4 Thought, discussion and opinion
sslW here these are not brute force pre-
sSNails, and the brutal rules IN all our
81 nentality, morality and sentimental
SS tty. Brute force reigns at Manila; the
y press is gagged and cannot draw free
ssbreath, or tell the truth; and u brutal
policy bears sway in all things-civil
3 and military. Congress shall make no
& aaW abridg cling free speech, or the free
L dom Of the press says the Constitu-
s8Sfion of the United States; but "inter
sahrmes leges silunt."--and SO is the
s{press. Yet mot for the Indulgence of
q he mere caprice of arbitrary power
& or brute force and Instincts. There
u must be efficient reasons. And these
ARE lacking, as it is far more important
y Itha t the American public should know
ssss:H the whole truth at Manila and in The
philippines than that an incompetent
ssNGeneral should suppress the evidence
ispffs MS own Incompetence. The muzzled
sSand censored press at Manila testines
Is bite of Otis. by the very silence he
81 Sorces, that he regards the truth as
Il more the ally of Aguinaldo than him
9s6elf si$; What q confession!
S. SSSSs But that Is the confession OF all who
sSEYpuld sin any degree seduce, intimidate.
HGotnpel; il or mislead the press. 1t is
:apIDGls lama ton, indeed, at home, In
,SRAAcey and in civil and political mat
33sEaTs, that THE TRUTH AND THE
ss6sEpRLIJ ARD ALLIES AGAINST
sEselssssfsIi5 SDO MINANT5 MIsRULE. WHICH
CARDS BOTH AS ENEMIES
sATss1IUs g % KEPT sEPARATE!
S ff Eafyxds ClanSi s in such demand ii,
TSfa Al that + pate de- foie gras. must be
4 b ma rlse TN orfolk Land
ess