The Kentucky Gazette

HAVING been drawn some time last week to our seat of government, in consequence of the sitting of the court of appeals; a scene was exhibited during my stay in that place, which I consider as highly disgraceful to my country, and leading to very dangerous consequences. A person, (I believe only an occasional resident in Frankfort) who had manifested considerable solicitude in behalf of an unhappy woman, under the sentence of death, had been charged by the wife of some tavern keeper with grossly censuring the jury, and with saying " that if the governor did not pardon the woman, he deserved to be advertised." In consequence of this several young men, and others, attended by the military music of the infantry company: beset the house he was in, dragged him out, undertook to call him to an account, and (the drum beating the rogue's march) conducted him to the top of the hill, where they dismissed him with some threatening cautions. This, I am told, is not the first breach of the peace of a similar kind, which has disgraced our metropolis.

As to the truth or falsehood of the charge brought against the man,—I care nothing about it:—but I would ask, mr. Printer. who can be safe in the town of Frankfort, or in any other town, where such proceedings as these become fashionable? What honest man is there, who thinking for himself, will not sometimes think differently from his neighbours ? And is he in this case never to express his thoughts? If so; farewell to freedom: farewell to improvement. Neither can exist without the most unrestrained communication of our thoughts and opinions It will be said probably, that we ought to use decent language when speaking of those in authority. I admit it:—but who is to be the judge of what is decent? Surely not infantry companies or any other combinations or collections of men. if a man, either by actions or by language violates the laws of his country, the laws have provided a punishment: but the law very wisely, overlooks mere indecorum, and,rather than intrench upon the liberty of speech, trusts the defence of the reputation of the public functionaries to the bulwark of their general character and conduct. The constitution has expressly secured to every one the right of speaking freely respecting any branch of government : and tho we are responsible for the abuse of that liberty, it is only to the constituted authorities.

But there is another view, sir, in which such conduct as I have been noticing, appears still more alarming. The consequences it will lead to if not timely checked, will be dreadful. There is. I think, an old proverb, that a bad beginning makes a worse ending. Bad habits will increase and grow upon us: for it is the same with a neighbourhood, a town, or a nation. as with an individual :-any custom they fall into, will, if not early stopped, gather strength with time. It may get such a head, that there will be no curing it but by a remedy as much dreaded as the disease. Occasions for mobbing will multiply every year:—they will extend from one town. to another. and to all our towns : their effects will become more and more serious:— till at length. freedom of sentiment, freedom of speech, freedom of discussion will be banished,—the minds of our citizens will be restrained in all their excursions.—independence of spirit will die away, and our necks will bend submissively to the yoke prepared for us by some dextrous and unscrupulous demagogue