The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-06-12
The Nomination OF General Taylor-The
Power of the Independent Press.

The influence exercised by free and indie
pendent press, in a free and Independent coun-
try, is boundless 1t pervades every avenue of So
ciety, and makes itself heard in the councils of
the State and of the naton-n the halls of justice,
IN the hotel and in the coset-in fact, every where
1t is feared and dreaded by the corrupt and profit
gate, and admired and cherished by the honest and
virtuous portion of the people
The Independent press of the United States has
reached an eminence, and has become possessed
of power, that entities it TO rank, among the
powers OF government, fourth estate; and yet
as influential any-the legislative, the executive,
and the Judicial being the other three. The
measures which are discussed and brought to the
attention of the people by the independent press
are thoroughly dgested and taken in hand by
the Legislature, framed into laws by that BODY
carried out by the executive and administered by
the judiciary the bench, in the courts of Justice
1t is needless to refer to instances to prove this
proposition. Every one of our readers remembers
them in the history of the United States, for the
last ten years.
The influence of the Independent press has, how
ever, lately been exercised in a wider sphere 1t
has been felt and acknowledged in the recent
Wing National Convention in Philadelphia, con-
Nthtu i'i puIpOst OI candidates Tor
the Presidency and Vice Presidency, to be sup
ported by that party at the ensuing election. Sc
veral candidates were before that body, the most
prominent of whom were General Taylor and
Henry Clay. The nomination of the former of
shese gentlemen was urged on many grounds, one
of which was, that it would be acceptable to the
country, because he was first taken in hand
and mentioned for that office by the independent
press of the Atlantic cities; and he was nominated
This was high tribute TO the independent press:
but ii was deserved. The Nep York Herald was
the first journal that promulgated the idea that he
was worthy of the Presidency. We observed his
GOODNESS, sagacity and determination in the victo-
nous conflicts on the Rio Grande and we imme
dlatey thought that he was the man for the peo-
pie, and that such characteristics as he displayed
op those occasions would not 90 unrewarded. He
was afterwards taken in hand by the politicians !;
but not until we had reiterated the opinion that he
would yet be nominated by the people
This is the first time, we believe in the history
OF the independent press, that its influence has
been felt in the selection of candidates for the Pre-
sldency; and considering the short time that has
elapsed since Its commencement, il augurs well for
abe control which is destined hereafter to exer
else on similar occasions. The independent press
of New York, Philade phia, Boston and Baltimore,
constitute, at the present moment the great centre
of intellect and thought of the American COME
deracy; most especially those OF the two first named
cities. 1t is a department of government. that
speaks plainly and honestly ts views on matters of
public weal-that is always in session-that Is
ever ugllant and never asleep-that dares to speak
the truth openly and broadly without regard TO
consequences, aud ranks az the great conservative
power of the State.
Such is the independent press now. What will
Il be in twenty-five years hence