The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1857-06-20

Slte Is OuS lrdHslcIliuS sA1S ASAe ASiA -
plains of Kansas to her own fields and
firesIdes.
Prom tie Portage GoHasy. Ohio, DeEHeeTaf.
Partisan Character Of the Press.
Party servi1ity is as degrading 10 the
press as it is to individuals. This servile,
partizan spirit has been, and still is, quite
too prevalent. The just censorship of a
iudic;ous, candid, fearless, and independ-
ent press. will always be salutary-will
gain confidence and respect, and secure
dignity of character. On the other hand,
an indiscriminate and fulsome praise Of all
party men and party measures, on the one
side, and OIL the other slashlng, whole
sale. and undistinguishing denunciation,
will weaken the power and lessen the in
tiuence of, because it destroys confidence
in the upright integrity, fairness, and re-
liability of the press.
In regard 10 this matter, partisan de-
mands and partisan acquiescence have
gone hand in hand, until partisan dema-
gogues claim, as the very pabulem of their
political existence, constant, and reiterated
panegyrics upon their characters, and prai-
| ses of their action, whatever that action
NAV be and the absence of such fulsome
/ eulogy many receive as scornful neglect
| take as personal affront.
1t is encouraging to observe that the
press is becoming less and less inclined to
| Weld to such unreasonable demands,
and is more disposed to throw of mere
! partisan shackles, and to assert its true
| dignity--to adhere with inflexible resoln-
/ ton to principle, claiming the prerogative
! to criticise men and measures as they may
seem to deserve, irrespective of party.
How far it may be the duty of q free
and independent press to burst the bands
of party, which have too long enthralied
! il, and, in adherence to well-defined ani
essential principles, approve or condemn
men and measures as they accord with or
oppose such principles, is question Of
grave import, which is more than ever a.
tracing the attention of the editorial fEa-
ternitv. Many, as they reflect and iEves-
; tigate, are discerning their duties In new
light; and the intense, unhesitating par
tisan devotion of the political press Is
becoming somewhat, indeed, We may say
; much modified.
We hare some notable examples of IN
c fuentiaI, widely-circulating newspapers,
devoid of partizan character, and disa-
a vowing any party allegiance, and which
I are yet infexibly true to the great prInci-
: pies of Republican freedom, upon which
b the Republican organization S based.
We instance only two, namely, the Ma
!, tional Era and the Pittsburgh Dispdtch.
The syrnpathies of these papers are
q with the Republican party, because they
9 are attached to the principles of that par
l ty; but they disclaim owing to it, OF any
!. other mere party, partisan fealty; avow-
q ing that their papers are the organs only
/. of their own views, for which no party is
responsible, as they hold themselves not
e to be responsible for, or bound By, any
= party action.
II They never place a nominated ticket at
c the head OF their columns, and hold
themselves in readiness to "praise where
a they can, and censure where they must. u
IS Were all newspapers like these, the race
of demagogues and polical empyries would
1t soon run out, and in their place, men o.
/ real worth, candor, reliability, and true
dignity of fcharacter, would be seen.
" How far the country press should inni
l. tate the example of the two papers abost
/ named. is an inquiry of no little import
81 ance. and many connected with the pres
)" are beginning to view the question Alright
ID This we see in the diminished persoHali
d ties. the altered tone, and lessened partisal
TO asperities, of respectable portion Of tn
. press.
as Parties, especially party leaders, as
he sumo not only to control the press, but :
as fashion or crush out the conscience of 1t
a. conductors. It is demanded that 1t do a
II manner Of partisan work, without hesitf
le. ton or inquiry and if by chance 1t haI
by pens to differ from party leaders, or dii
od sents. however respectfully. from the
u action, whatever that action may happt
ey to be. official or unofficial, those who ha'
Nc reckoned upon its unresistiDg coEnpliani
De- or completely are horri6ed, and write al
no saw bitter things against every appearan
he of independent thought or utterance.
ms We submit, whether the press shou
not take higher and more independe
IN ground: whether the party and the cause
ore s,,bseryes should not be advanced throul
his the dienifed. intelligent, Discriminate
pa manly advocacy of principles, which :
OF uartv acknowledges as itsformuia oi ial
fifty An editor should rot sink his indivi
-lci- uaIitv of character and Of thought IN
lag- seryile. partisan. He should be fcreeaEi
Sc but not cringing, independent but no!
SIls, rorant. fearless but not reckies: dlscni
ress. mating in praise and candid IA repro
the neither blind to the faults and mistakes I
usly friends, nor to the virtues or right cona
the &c onnonents.
The II the views and principles has
hose sketcbed above could prevail in the
) the duct of the press generally, while e &
rned saratively few demagogues and peiis
ones aspirants of small or Questionable des
alton might be rendered unhappy, the Pres
fall self would elevate and dignity It's cha
led. = ter secure the deserved confidence.
ouch viii. and respec. of the masses, wht
|, and anxious to secure the prevalence OF r
from truth. and justice, rather than q pen
Again participation in the spoiis Of otilee-
allen, thus its salutary, elevetipg. and heal
influence would be vastly increase
ect of value, and widely and beneficsally din
Ternor s--------- --------- - - -
adj Supreme 80
25tb How is it that the Supreme goul
vernon not meet 3? The law provides tbs
!. tbeiri Suprenle Court shall meet on tbs
ma 90 Monday IN June, in Lecompton.
col,ssi- ciate Cato was present, but neither