This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1825 Excerpt: ...propose to allay the public excitement? Why, by stifling the inquiry, by suffering the charges to go abroad--to extend through the community--to gain the ear of the public, without any such contradiction as can counteract the poison! No, sir; this can never allay the ex'ement or prevent the mischief. It is only by adopting the severest scrutiny into the truth or falsehood of the charges, and if found to be false, as the gentleman himself appears to anticipate, by sending forth the authentic refutation, that the people of this country will be satisfied. This alone will allay the excitement. The people have the highest confidence in their representatives, and this course will confirm that confidence. But, sir, the gentleman resists the inquiry upon another ground. The freedom of the Jirest will be invaded by pursuing it! There is not the shadow of reason for the apprehension. He treats it as if the printer or the writer of the letter were arraigned at our bar for the publication, as a contempt of the House. No such thing is proposed. So far from the liberty of the press being menaced by the proceeding, it in fact affords the press the mear.s of effecting its professed object. This object is presumed to be, as it professes, the promulgation of truth for the prevention of mischief. Instead of arraigning the printer at our bar, we forthwith institute an inquiry, and, if the publication is proved, the remedy will be complete and the object be attained. Even if found to be false, the printer remains untouched; nay, the writer of the letter, a member of this body, incurs no personal danger; unless, indeed, it should appear, which I do not believe, that the publication was made maliciously, with a knowledge of its falsehood. To suppose this, or to indulge a belief t...
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