Show ASTEP BACKWARD Mexico J has taken a slen backward In the enactment of a law which provides pro-vides that insults or defamation and calumny against the Congresi arnnnt a tribunal ocalnst the national navy or army or nsralnst a collegiate body shall be chastised In accordance with the libel laws but In no IUIHO shall the penally be less than two months detention de-tention This moans that t any vigor our expression of the press on Iho foolIPhncuH or wrojiKdolm of Congress Con-gress 11 of those in authority In the Institutions named will he punished for the persons who might feel 1 aggrieved ag-grieved would be OK sure lo allege calumny and Insult as was Senator Bailey when he cjalmed to be Insulted because his foIowSenilnr from Indiana Indi-ana said I he had made an unwarranted attach upon an official of Iho Government Govern-ment The best eafKy for a Republic Is free speech and a free press and though this liberty muy be and often Is abused yet It Is better to suffer that abuse than lo permit the press to be muzzled For with i no way to draw the attention of the people to wrongs and public maladministration the rogues fiourlsh and designing men nrc free to rob and plot against the republic re-public Mexico can far better afford lo have a few officials ln ullcd now and then than to let rascals In public life have such cover as this law would afford In which to do their deeds of treachery and crime |