Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-12-08
III TATIoN To THE PRESS.

Cur neighbor OF the Union seems disposed
to reyolutionize all the ideas which have been
hitherto entertained in regard to an indepen-
dent press in the United States. We are not
disposed TO consider all the opinions to which
it has lately given expression upon this
subject. its honest convictions. Whether
the object to be gained will justify the intro
democratic press, remains TO be seen; we
think il safe to predict, however, that the pub
lie sentiment Of the country is not prepared for
such a revolution. Even the organ of an ad-
ministra,ion has no right to issue its edicts to
the presses and politicians of the country,
commanding them, by virtue of its central au-
thority, to conform in every particular to the
dogmas which it publishes to the country as
the cardinal maxims of its creed.
We have been reminded of this matter by
the late attempts Of the Washington Union to
silence the batteries Of the Ohio Statesman
and the Cincinnati Enquirer. These papers
have been regarded, We believe, among the
leading representatives of the democracy of
the great north west-a democracy which, with
remarkable consistency, has nobly sustained
the doctrine Of the individual rights of the
States. The Enquirer and the Statesman,
however, have, it seems, been guilty of the
gross offence Of endorsing something from
the lips Of that rank Freesoiler, John Van Blu
ren-the prince Of demagogues aud wire
workers, and, until within a few weeks, the
bosom friend of the Union! Considering the
~enormity Of the outrage and the fearful conse-
quences likely to result from a recognition Of
the doctrine that any good could come out of
Mr.. Van Buren,, Though he had, for years,
hardly breathed except in harmony with
the central organ,) the Washington Union,
in the exercise Of It's unlimited power, pro-
ceeded TO remind the Enquirer and Statesman
that they had been remembered in the dis
tribution Of the Offices, and that unless they
should at once do justice to the country by
taking back everything they bad said, and de.
claring John Van Buren, a great rascal, they
would be struck of The list of those worthy to
commune with the Union saintsl-that, in
short, they we're in great danger Of being pushed
out Of the ranks through the instrumentality Of
a central decree.
Ii seems neither the Statesman nor the En-
quirer recognized the right Of the Union 10
dictate a course Of action for them; and they
appear. moreover, 10 question the ability Of
our Washington contemporary TO crush their
Influence With the people. For ourselves, We
have no hesitation in saying that neither the
dignity nor value Of The democratic journals
OF the United States would be enhanced BY the
establishment OF a rule declaring them sub
ject, in all things temporal and spiritual, TO an
administration organ. The time to attend to
this matter is, while the proposition j. IN the
bud.
We admire a bold and independent press,
within constitutional bounds; we want TO
see such . press in every State Of the
Union independence, however, We cannot
have, if an order issued from Pennsylya
MIA avenue i to silence into Jesnitical c%onfor.
nifty the noble champions in the various States
Of the democratic literature Of the nation.