--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Anderson, James H. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 16 number: 4 published: 1913-02 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Anderson, James H., "Liberty of the Press III," *Improvement Era* 16, no. 4 (February 1913): 349–354.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1604unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera1604unse start_page: 349 end_page: 354 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1913-02) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1604unse publication_year: 1913 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1913, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Liberty of the Press III "JOSEPH SMITH, JR., AS A TRANSLATOR" 347 carried to them a still greater know- Doubly good i^ the precept of our ledge of the mathematical sciences, from whose flesh we come forth. father, What he says to us, let that be in our for Josephus, the historian of the heart, so as to greatly satisfy him, that Jews, says: we may do more for him than he has said. Truly a good son is one of the "For whereas the Egyptians were gifts of God. For his master, he . . . formerly addicted to different cust- does what is satisfactory, putting himoms, and despised one another's sacred self with all his heart in that way. and accustomed rites, and were very through that (i. e. by these lesangry one with another on that ac- sons) shall be caused that thy body count, Abram conferred with each of will be in health, that the king will be them, and confuting the reasonings satisfied with thee under # all circumthey made use of every one for their stances, and that thou obtain years of own practices, demonstrated that life without failure. This has caused such reasonings were in vain and void me to acquire upon the earth one hun- dred and ten years of life, with the gift of truth; whereupon he was admired of the favor of the king anions the first by them in those conferences as a very of those that their works have made wise man, and one of great sagacity, noble." when he discoursed on any subject that he undertook: and this not only A few sentences taken at random in understanding it, but in persuading are: other men also to assent to him. He communicated to them arithmetic, "Love for the work which they do. and delivered to them the science of brings men to God." th-"s= astronomy: for, before Abram came "If t^ou hast the position of a leadinto Egypt, they were unacqaintei er, making plans, go forth at thy will with those parts of learning: for that Do perfect things, which posterity will science came from the Chaldeans into remember; not letting prevail words Earvi^t, and from thence to the Greeks which multiply flatteries, raise prid?. also." and produce vanity." They no doubt had beautiful The central figure of the ancient hu'ldings and carried on an ex- Egyptian religion was Osiris. He was tensive commerce and trade upon the god who presided over the destinies the Mediterranean sea, and with of men, and had control of death, the peoples further up the Nile. It resurrection, and the souls and bodie" was during this period that the of all children of the earth. It is in the "Book of The Dead" was compiled, 125th chapter of the "BOOK OF THE for the Egyptians had a wonderful DEAD" that we obtain a splendid system of religion, and a high stand- idea of the power of Osiris, and his inard of ethics. They had their philoso- fluence as a god upon the thoughts of phers and magicians, who have left men. It contains the prayer which a us their writings and moral codes, deceased person made when he came which are intensely interesting in that into the hall of Maati, before the throne t'-ey show that those very ancient peo- of Osiris. He said: ple had a high regard for morals. One "Homaare to thee, O great God. thou of these manuscripts may now be seen Lord of Truth. I have com*» to thee, in the national library at Paris. It is my Lord, and I have bro-e-ht myself called the "Prisse Papyrus," and con- b'ther. that I may see thv beauties. I tains eighteen pages of beautiful writ- know thee, I know thy rani". I know the names of the two and fortv sods, ; ng in a latter Egyptian hieroglyphic. who live with thee in this hall of It is a copy of the Papyrus of "Ptah- Maati. who keep ward over tho?e who Hotep," who was a royal prince of have done evil, who feed upon their the Memphite period, and a teacher of blood on the day when the live? of men are reckoned up in the nresence of high morals. He must have been a Odin's. In truth I have come to thee. wealthy land owner, and had many I have brought Truth to the-. I have slaves and servants, whom he ad- destroyed wickedness for thee." monished to learn of the gods of men. These words were followed by a \i Here an example of what he has Ustatement of offenses which he had is written: \ not committed Some of them are as "Do what thy master says to thre. follows: 348 IMPROVEMENT ERA 1. I have not sinned against men. proper duties of religion and moralitj." 2. I have not wronged my kinsfolk. "The Book of the Dead" consists of 3. I have not committed evil in the place of truth. "a long series of spells, and incanta- 5. I have not committed acts of tions, and rhythmical formulae, which ahnmination. were recited by the priests for the 7. I have not caused my name to benefit of the d n ad." But the book, apoear for honors. 8. I have not domineered over slaves. taken as a whole, shows that the Egyp- 10. I have not defrauded the poor tians had conceptions of the great funman of his goods. damental laws of morality, such as 13. I have caused no man to suffer. 14. I have allowed no man to go truth, just ce, etc. ; Life everlasting hungry. could only be obtained by those who 15. I have made no man weeo. had lived a righteous life upon the 18. I have not filched the offerings earth, and who had been declared to be in the temples. 24. I have not cheated in the measur speakers of the truth in the hall of ing- of grain. Os'ris. 25. I have not filched land, or adde<< thereto. There are four ancient editions of the 2fi. I have not encroached upon the "Book of the Dead:" felds of others. I. The first edition is in hieroglyph- 29. I have not taken away the milk ics, about 3,500 B. C, and is designatfrom the mouths of babes. ed by scholars the Heliopolitan ver- 38. I have not repulsed the god in sion. Five cooies have been preserved his manifestations. I am pure. I am pure. I am pure. I am pure. upon the pyramid tombs of the Phara- ohs. According to the belief of the Egyp- II. Theban version, of about The tians, every person consisted of three 2,000 B.C, when Thebes was the cenparts: a mortal corruptible tody called ter of Egyptian civilization. This was the Cha; a living soirit called the Ba: written upon papyri in hieroglyphs. and a protecting spirit, caTed Ka. At III. Another version similar to the death Ba left the body in the form of Theban, written upon papyri in hieroa bird, but the Ka dwelt in the tomb glyphs and in the hieratic, or where the with the body. At any time, it could characters are joined together. enter the body and reanimate it. Th° IV. The Saitic version, made about Ka, however, might leave the tomb at the year 600. The copies are wri+ten times. The living spirit was to return sometimes in hieroglyphs, at other in time for the clean and pure body. times in the hieratic script. For this reason, the Egyptians em- An English translation of the book balmed the body as no other people in has recently appeared by Dr. E. the history of the wor'd. A. Wallis Budge, keeper of the Egypt- "The Book of the Dead" explains all ian and Ass v ian antiquities in the these be'.iefs, and the 125th chapter British museum. It has also been quoted above, is the most celebrated in translated by German, French and giving one an understanding about Russian scholars into their respective the gods, and the ethical principles languages. One can find a very good of the Egyptians. Osisris is the judge exnlanation of the took in any up-toof the dead. He has a heaven for his date history of Egypt, particularly in dwelling place. He holds councils with Dr. Isaac Myer's "Oldest Books in the his other gods, and not only rules the World." The G. P. Putnams Sons Co. Nile valley, but other lands as well. has recently issued a beautiful edition "Certain of the gods sat as a court of the "Book of the Dead," edited in with Osiris, as the presiding judge, and English by Charles H. S. Davis. Tho judged and punished those men, who edition is well illustrated with 99 plates, in the flesh acted contrary to the laws, reproduced in fac-simile from the Turlaid down by the good deities as to the in papyrus and the Louvre papyrus. UNIVERSITY OF UTAH. Liberty of the Press BY JAMES H. ANDERSON, OF THE GENERAL BOARD Y. M. M. I. A. Ill The first two newspapers published in America (at Boston in 1689 and 1690) were suppressed by the government of Massachusetts ; in the copies preserved there is nothing to justify, in the mind of today, the governor's assertion that they "contained reflections of a very high nature ;" their contents are a mere record of current events. The third newspaper published at Boston, the News-Letter, continued till the British evacuated the city in the Revolutionary War. The Massachusetts Spy, now the oldest paper in move from Boston during the Massachusetts, had to Revolution, because of its yeoman service for independence it ; was the newspaper which published the famous cartoon representing Great Britain as a dragon and the colonies as a snake in nine pieces, under the motto, "Join or die." In Virginia and other colonies, early newspapers failed through suppressory methods. The New York Weekly Journal, begun in 1733, became memorable for the prosecution of its printer, John Peter Zenger, for sedition, and for the masterly defense of the accused by Andrew Hamilton. "The trial of Zenger," says Gouverneur Morris, "was the germ of American freedom." Under the United States, liberty of the press always has been maintained by governmental authority. It may be stated generally that the efficacy of persecution for the reasonable and consistent expression of free thought was frustrated by the power of the press, particularly in those dignified newspapers which reached the masses of the people with matters of legitimate public news, and comments from vigorous and thoughtful minds which resisted radicalism and oppressive restraint with equal energy, courage and persistence. Censorship had been either restrictive or corrective ; that is, it interfered to prevent publication, or it enforced penalties after publication. Repression of free discussion was regarded as so : ;; 350 IMPROVEMENT ERA necessary a part of government that Sir Thomas More, in his Utopia, makes it punishable with death for a private individual to ruling" power. criticize the In the 18th century, most civilized governments had so modified this view that punishments for libel police restrictions for scandalous, obscene and seditious publications limiting the number of printers, publishers and booksellers ; the registration of books and papers before publication ; requiring the name on all printed matter and similar regulations presumed ; to be for the public benefit, comprised the rule that was generally enforced. "Give me liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all other liberties," wrote Milton, in 1643, in protest against an ordinance of the Star Chamber. In less than two centuries later his wish had become virtually the condition in all the foremost civilized nations. Present Conditions. — In the United States, the Constitution insures liberty of the press, which is exercised freely. The conditions in other countries may be briefly stated thus — Austro-Hungary. Strict censorship ceased in 1867, when the constitution guaranteed liberty of the press; police regulations, however, are very strict, especially in the Italian provinces. — Belgium. The prosecution of political writers led to the independence of Belgium in 1830, and the constitution of that year provides that the press shall be free. It is a penal offense, however, to incite to crime, or disobedience to law, or to attack the constitutional authority of the king or chambers. Brazil. —The constitution in 1824 provided that everyone is entitled to express his thoughts by words and writing, and to publish them without liability to censorship, but is answerable for abuses as decreed by law. All the Latin-American nations have practically the same provisions. In cases of national danger, however, the constitutions may be suspended. Denmark. — Censorship was abolished in 1849, and the press declared free, by constitution. France. —Up to 1866 newspapers were suppressed by proclamation. With the formation of the republic in 1870-71, liberty of the press was established, but the pressis not entirely free, as the term is under- stood in the United States, the French writers being so vitriolic at times that the government finds it has need of many stringent regulations. Germany. —The censorship was abolished in 1871, but strict police regulations prevail. A German newspaper must have a responsible editor, to answer for infringements of law. So often are these editors LIBERTY OF THE PRESS 351 imprisoned that it is facetiously remarked, and with much color of fact, that a person who accepts the post of responsible editor on a German newspaper understands that he will have to remain in jail permanently during the period of his employment in that capacity. — Great Britain. Although the English press enjoyed a large measure of liberty for three-quarters of a century previous thereto, it was not until the removal of the optional duty on newspapers, in 1870, that the press in England, Scotland and Wale? -an be said to be free. In Ireland, there is not this amount of libei y, since the lord lieutenant may order the seizure of any newspaper appearing to contain matter inciting to treason, violence or intimidation, and may search for papers or documents suspected of being used or intended to be used in con nection with any society existing for criminal purposes. In India thrgovernor-general may seize or exclude newspapers, books, etc., which "contain any words, signs, or visible representations likely to excite disaffection to the government established by law in British India, or between any persons of different castes, religions or sects in British India." The colonies enjoy liberty of the press similarly with England, Scotland and Wales. — Greece. Censorship was abolished in 1844, but Greek citizens only can be publishers of newspapers. Holland. — Liberty of the press since 1815; seditious books and newspapers may be seized. Italy— Censorship comparatively severe. There are few booksellers in Italy. Mexico. — The constitution abolishes press censorship, which prevailed during the Spanish dominion. In times of national danger, this and other constitutional guarantees may be suspended. — Norway. Liberty of the press since 1814, with punishment for offenses against law, religion or decency. — Ottoman Empire. Liberty of the press subject to limitations of law since 1876, the limitations being comparatively rigid. Portugal. — Limited censorship prevails, the latest modifications, having been instituted in 1911. — Roumania. Censorship abolished in 1866. There is liberty of the press, with the responsible editor system almost similar to that of Germany. Russia. — Absolute censorship prevails, both restrictive and corrective. The newspapers of St. Petersburg and Moscow have greater liberty than those elsewhere, but even there the restrictions are severe. There are government censors everywhere, and papers from foreign countries are under very strict supervision. On these, censorship is mercilessly exercised by blacking out or cutting out such articles as the government censors may not approve or understand. The telegraphic press agency censorship is rigidly applied. Only privileged persons, such as members of the royal family, foreign diplomats, and editors of newspapers in the capital, may receive foreign publications 352 IMPROVEMENT ERA free of censorship, which has been more severe since the Crimean war than for a long time previously. Spain. — In 1812 the constitution abolished censorship and gave freedom to the press, subject to such restrictions of the law that even yet few booksellers are permitted. — Sweden. Liberty of the press granted by constitutional provision in 1812. Switzerland. — Liberty of the press in 1848, with restrictive legislation for offenses against the public welfare. Censorship Not Tolerable—-In those countries where liberty of the press prevails, neither author or publisher, nor the people generally, will tolerate censorship of the press, because such censorship would be an invasion of the freedom of thought and expression so necessary to the welfare of a free people. In such countries, occasional efforts at censorship have been made by overbearing officials ; but all reputable publishers affected have resisted the intrusion. Often there are facts within the knowledge of newspapers that should not be published, because the injury from publicity clearly outweighs the good in particular instances. In such case, decent and influential newspapers omit the injurious feature upon its being pointed out, or upon request for its suppression. Every attempt at official censorship by officers either writing or supervising and examining articles intended for publication is therefore an unnecessary violation of the liberty of the press, and the publisher who submits to it displays an inferior conception of his right and duty. An obligation which attends the enjoyment of liberty of the press is that the author and publisher do their work in a clean, decent and honorable way, with beneficial aims for the community whose interests are involved. Abuse of Liberty. — That the liberty of the press often is abused by vicious and unprincipled writers and publishers is painfully apparent everywhere, and is as deeply regretted by reputable members of the press as by anyone else. Indeed, from present conditions in the United States, the press here owes to itself and the nation the duty of more co-operation and less fault-finding, more constructive advice and less destructive criticism, than seems now to be the generally prevailing policy. In the line of abuses complained of, many persons are berated, maligned and misrep- resented because it is "in the game"-—that is, because they differ