The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-11-17
examine, guide us stin. During this period il

mas occasionally happened tnot tDe principles
for which we have been contending have been
adopted by one or other of the political parties
of the day. When this has been the case We
have given our support to that party. The
politicians whose creed came the nearest to our
fixed chart had our alliance so long as they
remained true to their principles when they
abandoned them, they lost US too, and we were
thenceforth counted among their opponents.
This is the true history of our inconsistency,
which cannot better be proved than by the rol-
lowing glance at our past career.
In 1928 we supported Jackson for the Presl-
dency In 1882 we advocated his reelection,
against the United States Bank and the linan-
cial classes When corruption aud ignorance
broke down Van Buren, we opposed him earnest
". and took side with Gen. Harrison. We sup
ported Tyler in the veto Of the Bank in 1871.
In 1874 we espoused the cause Of Polk against
the patriot Clay, solely because We believed the
former to be identified with the schemes Of ter
ritorial expansion, which we regarded as essen
tial to the advancement Of the country. For
reasons precisely similar. we supported General
TAYLOR against General Cass at the next cleo
ton Finally, in 1852, when the slavery ques-
ton had been fairly brought into action, and
the only material point at issue was whether
the COMPROMISE should or should not be sus-
tanned. we advocated the claims Of Gen. Pierce,
whom we believed to be sound, in preference to
those of General Scott, on whom suspicion
rested. Now. if General Pierce abandons the
principles on which he obtained the popular
suffrage and our support, we shall abandon
him, and become as determined in our hostility
to his administration as we were formerly ac-
tive in sounding his praise.
During all these twenty five years OF toll and
conflicts, neither money nor influence, nor par
ty nor favor, nor friendship nor enmity, have
ever induced us to swerve one hairs breadth
from the line of action which we prescribed for
ourselves on setting out. Fortunately for us,
the popularity of the HERALD. as a general
newspaper and advertising medium, soon placed
us beyond the reach Of need. The New York
cbambermaids have all along been, and are
still, worth fur more to us than the support OF
any party; and we have not heard that they
disapprove Of our political course. We have
risen from being the owner Of $500, to be the
proprietor Of a journal which circulates nearly
$1,000 daily and about $4,000 Sunday and
weekly papers; and this We owe, in great part,
to the fact that we have never submitted to the
dictates Of any party, and treated brides and
menaces with equal contempt Our success, in
the teeth Of On opposition that might have
crushed many man, is the best proof OF the
soundness Of the principle on which we have
acted.
Whatever the Cincinnati Enquirer, which
supports the Cabinet on such private grounds
as it's proprietor best knows, may say or think
to the contrary, the independent press OF this
country will continue to grow and pros
per. in spite Of all the parties and journals
that may oppose it. The simple fact that wing
journals which, until recently, have always ad-
hered faithfully to their party. now see the
necessity of breaking their letters and pursuing
an Independent course, is the best proof Of
the soundness of the rule we adopted twenty
years ago. The Enquirer and other papers
have been pleased to place US at the head Of
the independent journals Of this country. We
have not sought any such distinction; but we
shall never betray the cause. In all future con-
tests in this country, the Independent press as
now organized and conducted, must control
every election, and WELD supreme influence.
The old factions are broken up, and the power
of party is gone. Henceforth the concerns Of
The United States will be regulated by the
intelligent opinion Of the masses, guided and
expressed by the independent press.