Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1813 edition. Excerpt: ... I but still less of Libel, unless you are prepared tt say, that to withhold praise from any Administration deserves punishment. Is it a crime not to admire an Administration? is it an idictable offence not to perceive its occult talents? Why if it be, find my Client guilty of not being a sycophant and a flatterer, and send him to prison for two years, to gratify the Attorney-General, who tells yeu that the Duke of Richmond is the best Chief Governor Ireland ever saw. But the mischief, I am told, lies in the art of the sentence. Why all that it says is, that it is difficult to discover the striking features that distinguish this from bad Administrations. It does not, Gentlemen, assert, that ho such striking features exist; much less does it assert that no features of that kind exist, or that such features, altho' not striking.-are not easily discernible; so that, really, you are here again required to convict a man for not flattering. He thinks an Administration untalented and silly--that is no crime; he says it has not been marked with talent or ability, that it has no striking features--all this may be mistaken and false, yet there is nothing in it that resembles a crime. And, Gentlemen, if it be true--if this be a foolish Administration, can it be an offence to say so: ? If it has had no striking features to distinguish it from bad Administrations, can it be criminal to say so i Are you prepared to say, that not one word of truth can be told, under no less a penalty than years of a dungeon and heavy fines? Recollect that the Attorney-General told you, that the Press was the protection of the Peopleaginst the Government! Good God! Gentlemen, how can it protect the People against the Government, if it be a crime to say of that Government..
