Year: 1861

The rowing prophet OF tue great Lohuon


newspaper, in q late letter foretells remorse-


lessy the downfall Of the Liberty OF the Press
in America. JIe has had conversation with


some army officer who told him that by and BY


the army would come to New-York and sup


press. BY violence, al criticism Of military


movements. After the accomplishment of this


enterprise we are told, the army will proceed to


establish Despotsm and e1a!t Dictator.


After this-but here the prophet stops, most


proyokngIy, we think; for, while the fit was on
him, it would have been obliging if be had


tsoatod us TO couple Of centuries more OF the


mysterious future. 1t is only tantalzing to have


a Bickerstafi at all, if we are to be put of


with less than ten hundred Olympiads. And
yet, for our own humble part, we must con-


fess TO tolerabIe degree OF quietuds. The


newspaper press is its own champion and


watchful sentry, and it will take care Of that


liberty by the tenure Of which it exists. The


task is not indeed 80 hard one as it was in


England not many years ago, when Lord Eldon


was accustomed to send to Newgate every editor


who thought Bonaparte better general than


tho Duke OF York. In the advance Of ciyiliza-


ton, certain facts become phlosophically set


tied; aud among these is thP fact that, when


one newspaper is tyrannically suppressed, ten


still more obnoxious are sure to take it's place


Ii may happen, indeed as matter of mere


military police, that the Government may feel
compelled, during the existence OF an actual


var, to control the circulation Of journals open
ly in the interest Of the enemy: bat tho right


TO do this by no means implies the right to


prevent an honest discussion of any public
policy. No Government can be expected TO
become the common carrier. in time of eI-
treme danger, Of lbels aimed at its very life.
But there ia wide distinction easily percepti-
bic, between an attack upon a Governments ex-
istence and criticism Of its measures. Every
Administration expects and tolerates opposition.
1t is tho mischeveus hostility which is not
content with less than blow at the whole
political fabric which must be restrained. This
distinction the American people, ever jealous
Of their civil rights, very well understand.


IT is easy, certain things being conceded, to
suppose plausibly enough certain other things.
Given an army itself so servile and its leaders
30 corrupt as to attempt the destruction OF
newspapers, and We have undoubtedly an army
likely enough, in some mad moment to over
throw the Constitution. II We are in peril OF
this, we cannot avoid IL; for it is danger
incident to our position. But, on the other
hand, it seems to US that now, when we are
asking 80 much Of our citizen soldiers, 1t would
be the extreme Of discourtesy chidshly to
suspect them. We have called them from
domestic happiness and the ease and safety oil
peace; we have asked Of them the utmost OF
sacrifices in the greatest Of causes and, Turing
them only by the gathering cry Of loyalty to
liberty, we have placed In their hands the ark
of the Constitution. 1t is no time for distrust.
II is no time for foreboding, 1t is no time,
Heaven knows, in sneakins spirit Of cynical
suspicion, to doubt the honor and worthiness OF
human nature. When soldiers like ours, Free
men all of them in blood and bone, who never
knew q master before, are submitting, with
hardly o solitary murmur, to the utmost rigor
Of military discipline, 1t is but fair to presume
that only On indelbe and paramount affection
for free institutions could have called them to
the field, or kept them there. 1t is easy to
hint and to insinuate, But where is the gen.
eraI officer who has given in the past. or more
immediately any sign or token that be con-
templates aay such usurpat'oo Add by what