self to administer the laws; and to
apply this authority to the paper before you, what reason on earth have
you to suppose, that the writer from the beginning to the end was not
bona fide in his opinions; and then, however erroneous they may be, I
say, under the sanction of Lord Loughborough himself, they are not
criminal.

Having, gentlemen, submitted these observations to you, I declare most
unfeignedly that I have uttered them with the most conscientious belief,
that they are founded in reason, justice, and truth. I have not advanced
a proposition nor uttered a sentiment as an advocate, which I am not
prepared to avow and maintain as a man. If I am wrong in my judgment,
you will correct me. You will, however, consider my reasonings, and the
passages which I have cited to you in support of them, and judge if I
have not maintained the propositions, which I have submitted to you.

No argument can be drawn from any of the observations, which I have
addressed to you for impunity to libelers and defamers of private
character. No, they are justly called assassins; for they who destroy
that without which life is worthless are as guilty as those who destroy
life itself, and let them feel the heaviest vengeance of the law. Private
persons may be attacked and have no power to defend themselves. They may
not only be unable themselves to answer published calumnies against their
character; but also unable to employ those who can. But such can never
be the case with those who administer the affairs of the nation. All the
wealth and power of the country is in their hands. They may hire a
thousand writers to support their measures, and vindicate their
characters, and they will not want volunteers; they can command the
press; and, for their protection, it is sufficient, that the press should
be opposed to the press. Private individuals cannot command the press;
and, therefore, let slanderers of private character suffer the utmost
punishment that the law can inflict.

And now, gentlemen, I ask you to give me your verdict for the defendant.
I make no attempt to move your compassion. I will not urge you to
consider that the defendant is a woman, and unable, from the tenderness
of her sex, to sustain hardship; nor call upon you to remember, that
which you cannot but know, that she has already been convicted upon one
prosecution, for which she will, without doubt, be the subject of severe
punishment. I ask it on the higher gr