Yet while our policy is thus liberal and indulgent, we are daily reproached and taunted with the bondage in which we keep the Press.

A strong feeling on this subject appears to exist throughout the European community here; and the loud complaints which have lately been uttered are likely to produce a considerable effect on the English people, who will see at a glance that the law is oppressive, and who will not know how completely it is inoperative.
"To impose strong restraints on political discussion is an intelligible policy, and may possibly--though I greatly doubt it--be in some countries a wise policy.

But this is not the point at issue.

The question before us is not whether the Press shall be free, but whether, being free, it shall be called free.

It is surely mere madness in a Government to make itself unpopular for nothing; to be indulgent, and yet to disguise its indulgence under such outward forms as bring on it the reproach of tyranny.