Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1841-08-14
FROM COURIER
INDEPENDENCE OF THE PRESS.

INDEPENDENCE OF THE PRESS.
There is no suhect little unders TODD, by q
majority Of politicians. as wha, constitutes The
LIBERTY THE PREss. Though we live in the
light and blaze oil religious and political olerat ion
though tho frame aud structure Of our Govern
ment Is theoretically iree--,he fact cannot be
disguised, that IN country the face Of the
globe the pains and penalties Of indir iduaI
displcasurc iyraDica shaken over the heads OF
independent Editors. This is, in great men sure .
the result of that want Of selfrespect sometime
prevalent in the ranks Of the corps editorial, which
leads them, too ott"n, to bend and truckie IN O
Insoence of political aspiran,s and place hunters
While this elidebasement continues, on the par I
OF editors themselves, II IS by no means singular
that others should seek TO degrade them in tho
public esteem Nothing is more common than TO
heqr certain description Of tide raiters on po-
iitIcal results, sigmatlze and speak lightly of Tho
conduct and influence Of the public press--mcn
whose whole conversation and bearing arc outra-
ges on the dignity and value of the profession.
The conductors of newspapers arc looked upon,
by such characters, as mere drdy horses, whose
duty is to pull away al the crack OF every up
stars's whip, no matter if tho burden placed upon
him be n freight from the neither regions, or a
load OF sIn from Pnndcmona itself. Those who
have experienced this (and what editor has notY
will como 10 the conclusion tina, great and gene
raj reform must be effected, before the conductors
of tho Public Press act with the independence
and frmness without which IT Is but rs IN sound
ing brass tnklng cymbal" In tho first
place, they must respect Themselves, by placing
their conduct on the elevated ground Of principle,
and refusing To be mnde nero party hacks--the
passive pnnders Of ndridual ambition.
In the whole range OF professions md ca'linge,
no men give higher proofs of their devotion 10
Liberty and good government than the Editors Of
the Political Press. This remark is not confined
TO the ranks OF any political. party. Though we
are often compelled 10 dissent from the opinions
and course OF our opponents, we are very FREQ TO
admit that these opinions are, in tho main, the
suit of honest conviction II is impossible that
The admitted and saluiary doctrine Of free agency
can always a unity of thought, and. as
ne MS faces differ in shape and comeliness,
will their views Of public affairs. Error Of opin-
on may be allowed, whilst reason is left free to
combat 1t" was the noble maxim OF the illusirious
JEFFERSON. That sentiment should be cngraven
IN the heart of every freeman. With tho ediio-
lal fraternity it should be constantly Kept in
Jew: for, surely, nothing is so well calculated to
,ring their orn honesty into question than a con-
Inual assault the .'motpes" of their bre ihren.
rs n barrier agains, the universal degeneracy OF
he Press the PEOPLE have deep stake IN pro-
Getting this great defender Of popular Liberty.
70 use the language Of the immortal JUNIUs.--
The liberty OF The Press is their only resource.
/ viii command audience when every honest
nan in the land is excluded. This glorious pri-
ege may be security Of tho Government as
vel. resource to the People.
ons derabIo latitude must be allowed in the dis
ussiou of public affairs, tho liberty Of tho
ress will be of no benefit to society.
hey who suppose that our newspapers are no re-
tralnt upon bad men, impeachment to tho
ution of bad measures, know nothing Of this coun
ry." Ii this language was uttered in reference
D monarchial gland, how much moro will 1t
pply to Republican America! Here, where tho
eople sovereIgn-where every act of tho
government should be in unison with the throh
tho Nations heart-where the free voters
lake and unmake our public men-'his freedom
political discussion is the very jewel of our svs-
en-. DANIEL WEBSTER, in speech to his fell
Nv Citizens some four ears ago, thus forcIbly de-
:rbes the Influence Of free press:
'in all popular governments, FREQ Press is
lo most importan, Of all agents and instrum enfs.
no; only expresses public opinion, but, TO We
great degree, II contributes to form that opin-
N. 1t is engIne for good or evil, as II NAV
c directed; bat yet n engine Of which nothing
an resist the force. The conductors OF the pub.
c press, IN popular governments, occupy place
The political and social system, of the very
ighest consequence They wear the character
public instructors. Their daily abors bear d.
estiy the intelligence, the morals, mo taste,
nd The public spirit Of tho country. They dis
Iss principles, they comment on measures, they
,nvass characters They hold power or the
,putatIon the feeling, the happiness OF lndivId-
ais The public - always open TO their adj
resses-ihe public sympathy easily made re-
JGnsIye to their Sentiments lneiF - oHiS
rofession expressly guarded and protected by
enactmenis Their employment
,ars 80 high IN It's general consequences--it Is
intimately connected with the public happiness
that its security is provided for by fundamen-
! law. While IL acts in manner worthy OF
rs distinction. the press is a fountain OF light,
I'd source of gladening warmth. 1t iDsirucis
e pubic mind and anmates the spirit Of patri-
ism lis loud voice s1ppresses every 'hiog
hich would raise itsef eDove the public liberty;