Daily American organ., 1856-04-03
Levying Black Mail.

There is probably no charge which more se-
riously affects the reputation and general use-
fulness Of public journal, thanthe charge that
such journal receives money, in consideration
Of assisting to create public opinion in behalf
or IN considsss sar for other ur'-"rthY purposes,
assaults npon personal lnSSlna cnalacater a or nnon
schemes concocted for plundering In. govern
ment Every public journal has more or less
influence, the amount of it depending upon the
estimate its readers may form Of the integrity.
ability and trustworthiness of its conductors.
The masses of the people naturally look to the
public journals Of the day, not only for general
and local news, but for a fair and honest dis
cussion of measures involving either principle
or policy Even partisan papers are credited
by the public for honesty of purpose, no mat
ter how widely each may differ from its neigh
bors on political questions, or in reference to
the qualifications of political candidates In
other words, all differences Of opinion among
editors of political papers are properly attrib-
uted by the public, to an honest difference in
political views and principles
We do not mean to say that all political
writers utter their true opinions, but we sim
ply express the belief, that the masses of the
people generally credit them with candor and
honesty, and that usually this credit NAV be
due them. In political parties, and on party
questions, there may be men who, for the sake
of success, will make efforts, and perhaps rep
rescntations which a proper regard for the
public interests, and for truth, would not iusti.
fy. Some indulgence may be permitted in this
respect by the public, and yet we may be per-
mitted to say, that for ourself as we never
have, so we never will, advocate any measure
which our judgment does not approve, nor op
pose any, which we think ought to be adopted,
for the public good. We would fain hope, and
we are willing to believe, that conductors Of
presses generally are guided by the same rule
as ourself We do not lay claim to any greater
share OF honesty than we cheerfully award to
others, nor do we feel willing to admit that we
have greater or more numerous frailties than
fall to the lot Of others of our race.
We have been called obstinate" /" because
we would not yield up our own opinions to
please our associates We yield under circum-
stances when it is justiHable, and we refuse,
where to yield would be upjustifable. An
editor iof public journal is alone responsible
for the sentiments he advances, and as his is
the responsibility to the public, SO should his
be the opinions promulgated through his Jour
nal. Wherever rests the responsibility, there
should be lodged the discretion, and the decis.
ion, as to what should, and what should not
appear in public journal A political journal,
processing to represent party, should adyo-
cate the principles of the party, and no man
should WELD the tripod of political press who
does not both understand and adhere to those
principles. An editor may have his chart
furnished by the authorized representatives of
MS party, and if it contain no principle which
his own Judgment condemns, he may with
manifest propriety be guided thereby, on all
points Of policy, as well as of principle, and
thus act in harmony with the party he thus
represents.
so much for political party journals.
Ihose journals protesting to be neutral or |
independent and not to be the Representatives
Of parties, are, it seems to us, under a still
higher responsibility to the public, to advocate
no measure, and to oppose no measure. either
Of principle or Of policy, inconsistent with the
sound and honest Judgment of their conduct
ma The public have right to expect that on
VI Questions discussed by neutral and inde-
presses the views Of the Editors shall
% consc'entiously, honestly, and boldly ex-
4
'ressed- The public ought to be authorized
look for entire and perfect impartiality in
ne conductors of such presses in the utterance
Z their views on all the topics discussed by
hem, and II once 1t be suspected that flthv
uere warps and moulds the opinions Of such
'ornaiists, alhcon6dencc therein must be for