Page:The Afro-American Press.djvu/528

520 the press gives this definition: "The free communication of thoughts and opinions is one of the invaluable rights of every man; and every citizen may freely speak, write, and print on any subject, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty."

It may be of interest here for us to still further consider the opinions on the freedom of the press. Lord Wynford says: "My opinion on the liberty of the press is, that every man may fearlessly advance any new doctrine, providing he does so with proper respect to religion and the government of the country, that he may point out errors in the measures of public men; but he must not impute conduct to them. The liberty of the press can not be carried to this extent without violating another equally sacred right, the right of character. This right can only be attacked in a court of justice, where the party assailed has a fair opportunity of defending himself. Where vituperation begins, the liberty of the people ends."

To the thoughtful reader, the entire measure of the freedom of the press can be readily comprehended from these opinions; but if not yet clearly understood, a consultation of the views of our martyred President, James A. Garfield, will probably serve the purpose. It was on account of this freedom that the Earl of Beaconsfield was proud of his identity with the press.

We have fully considered the freedom of this force; we may now observe the official protection the various countries offer it and whether the same liberty exists in all countries alike.

Long before the discovery of America the press was in operation; not, however, as a free and equal privilege of every one who wished to express himself through this medium. Certain authorities took hold of this way of expressing thought freely and held it within their grasp, and