"The Liberty of the Press is the grand palladium of all the civil, political and religious rights of every British subject" — Junius

Douglas: Wednesday, Mar 14 1894

A GAGGED PULPIT
AND
A PARALYZED PRESS

NEW DEVELOPMENTS.

We publish for the edification of our readers the following letter with which we were favoured this morning. It throws quite a new light on a widely interesting question, and we have no doubt it will be read with some curiosity as well as interest :.—

Athol Street, Douglas Isle of Man,

13th March, 1894.

Sirs,—I am instructed by Messrs SPENCER AND HANNAY, the proprietors of the "Manx Sun," to call your attention to the fact that a pamphlet just published by you, entitled " The Morals of Douglas," and purporting to be a reproduction of two addresses delivered by the Rev Thos. Rippon. contains a gross and defamatory libel upon them.

The words complained of are those on page 17 commencing, " My opponents for the most part" &c. and ending on p. 18, " shall be a fool" .

Unless I receive, during the course of the day, your written undertaking to discontinue the publication in question, and to do all in your power to recall all copies issued, and furnish me with evidence as to the person really responsible for publication, I shall institute proceedings for recovery of damages, and for an injunction to prevent the further publication of the document.

Yours truly G.A.Ring

Messrs Clucas & Faragher, "Mona's Herald" Office, Douglas.