Muzzling the press.
The Northern journals entertain their readers with periodical essays upon the peculiar characteristics of free speech and a free press which distinguish American civilization, and are sorely exercised over the restriction imposed upon the press of
France.
We venture to say that a more complete despotism was never exerted over the minds, tongues and pens of men than has prevailed from the beginning of this war in most of the
Northern cities.--Some men have been shot down in the streets for expressing opinions in favor of Secession.
If a Northern man ventures to say, as thousands of them,
Fillmore among the number, said, before the war, ‘"If I were a Southerner, as I am a Northerner, I would never be ruled over by a sectional despotism,"’ it is denounced as high treason.
How long will it be before a people who are thus intimidated from giving utterance to their thoughts, will cease to think at all, and become the ready slaves of any aspiring military genius who may seek to grasp a crown?
What wonderful progress must liberty and the right of free discussion have made in that section which is eternally boasting of progress and freedom, when, even as long ago as the
American Revolution,
Chatham, standing in the midst of a British Parliament, could, without molestation, aver the same principle for which, at this day, a Northern citizen must be branded with treason.
He could exclaim, in the midst of a war, not as unjust and abominable as that which the
North is now waging against the
South, ‘"If I were an American, as I am an Englishman, so long as a hostile foot trod upon the shores of my country, I would never lay down my arms — never, never, never."’ If the subject of a monarchy could utter with impunity such sentiments, what are we to think of the Republicanism which denounces the same freedom of speech as high treason, and holds the terrors of brute violence over every citizen who dares to exercise it?
