Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-06-11
The Independent Press.

VhdI u al independent pneS we Sn-
swer-an independent press IS pres bn-
Quoted by independent men. And when we
say independent men, we DO not mean.
men who are independent in their pecu-'
mary circumstances, in the ordinary
acceptation Of the term; nor do we
mean men who are protesting to be
independent Of the proper restraints Of
organized society: but we mean men
who are independent in their own thoughts
and in their own manner of expressing
them. That is what we understand by
independence and it is the only indie
pcndence worth having. 81.
Apply this sound principle to the pub
lie press and you have an element Of in
herent power and progress that can nei
Their be gainsayed nor resisted. You may
curb it, you may retrench it, you may
circumvent it; but, sooner or later, like
the elasticity of the air, or like the gravi-
tation of water, it will rise superior to
every obstacle, and flow onward to its
destined position.
The truly independent press is the
greatest human element in this world
Aided by the steam engine and the mag
netic telegraph, it is COMPRISING contin-
ents and embracing oceans in its giant
arms: it is overlapping mountains and
overstepping deserts: it is carving its
triumphant way through the leafy ever
glades and the tangled groves it is dig
ing out the ores and gems of the richest
mines in the bosom of the globe: it is
mounting the air on silkcn wings, and
waving the flags of different nations
through the ETHEREAL vault it givesa voice
to solitades: busy crowds where men
never planted his foot it leads armies,
teaches Senator's, overturns thrones and
rules the world.
There is 70 occasion of our citing the
facts of history toprove the truth Of these
statements. They are indisputa Bile records
on the annals of time. But still the oues-
ton comes back-Is the party or sectari-
an press an independent one ? 1--WE answer
yes, they are independent: but in a
limited and practical sense. We see
that initiates against true indie
pendence in press that is devoted to its
religion Or its party, provided it comes up
to the only true standard, and is conduct
ed By independent men.
The idea that allegiance to moral prin-
clples Or to political platforms initiates
against personal independence is delu-
sive one, and ought to be secuted and
hooted from among all thinking men. 1t
is no such thing. A man may have his
own religious and party opinions. and
still be independent in presenting those of
other persons. He may faithfully present
those opinions. to the public, through the
medium of press, without in the least
degree compromising his own. He may
give all parties fair hearing in his pages,
without being committed 70 either.
1t is in these important respects that
we pride ourselves on the lofty position
already attained by the Erening Star.
This is PENN paper: and therefore
every reading person may buy it. 1t is
paper that does justice to all parties: there
fore all parties should seek and read it.
1t is paper that vindicates the right
and expresses the wrong. because it has
no power superior to itself, save the in
vincible, the omnipotent power of the
people; therefore the mem oers Of every
communion, citizens in every kind of bust
ness, may with safety take it to their
fire-side and extend to it their patronage.
WEST PoISr.-Among the cadets at
West Point who have just passed the
annual examination of the first or grad
pa olecc rr.o H.