The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-12-20
BALTIMORE.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1853

II is so difficult to obtain recognition of the
existence of Independent journalism-to say moth
inc about just appreciation Of its value, that it
Is not wise, perhaps, to be over sensitive about
doubts of the one or underestimate of the other.
The path of manly and impartial criticism must
lie, at times, so athwart the pecuarities, preju-
diccs, crotchets and party feelings of individuals,
as TO excite emotions of extreme anger and pro-
woke unmeasured denunciation. The narrow
mind will not fail to entertain its own narrow
view of the causes of all difference with itself 1t
will instinctively impute the worst motves-mer-
cenary ones, neutrality-suspicious. some secret
leaning to this or that heresy party or clique-or
to opinions influenced by ignorance, lack of judy
mcnt, neXperence, or sheer conceit, as those most
likely to lead to a disagreement between an I'M
lucky Editor and his candid and intelligent
reader.
Especially is this the case, when subjects within
the range of party politics pass under review. In
no country is the despotism which exacts implicit
accord with certain dogmas-more oppressive, and
in none the cowardice which submits to this form
of tyranny-more common, than in this land,
whose best national song is based upon refrain,
asserting its peculiar freedom and bravery.
-Four and twenty fidders all in a row''-with
some humbug of JULIEN, baton in hand,
at their head, present no bad emblem of an Adj
ministraton press
at cantare pares ct respondere parati,"
under the lead of the central organ. AT the wave
of the potent wand, each instrument in the orches-
tra-from the loud trombone of the daily, near
the custom-house of the great seaport to the wry-
necked fife of the village hebdomadal edited by
some grateful postmaster, pours forth one loud
harmonious peal of glory to the chief, and perdi-
ton to all opposers. Changing the metaphor-thc
pinch of snuff daily inhaled by the oracle at the
seat of Government is expected 10 produce SIM
utaneous sneeze among all affiliated noses; and
woe to the nose that refuses to respond 1T is
thereaftcr-a nose to be tweaked-to be out of
ioint-to nhale the odors of the Government
kitchen no more!
1t seems to u.s. that if there be class of readers
who prefer-or-to put it in still stronger light
who do not utterly repudiate and spurn this sort
of iournalism-they are wholly incapable of any
correct conception of the duties and responsibilities
of press aspiring to higher functions than those
of filling its columns with advertisements, and its
Golfers with the wages of prostitution. What
possible value can be attached to the expressions of
an avowed and pledged partisan, whose line of
comment can be safely predicted as the fact
demanding comment, is announced What a farce
to call that an expression of public opinion which
is but the echo of an Administrations own
voice. reverberating through the land, under the
operation of cause certain in its effects as are
the laws of acoustics. If the object were to
"manuacture public opinion" Or to prevent
--overawe-suppress-o drown 1.-THE agency
is admirably adapted to carry out such purpose.
1t must fail, however-because, alongside of every
''organ," little or big is placed, at least, one if
not more than one, opposition print, quite as I'M
scrupulous, and louder and more energetic in the
proportion that hunger and thirst after the spois,
are more active principles than the possession and
enjoyment of them. Nor-out of the conflict of
opposing statements of fact and expressions of
opinion is there any certain way of making an
average which shall nearly present the truth
Between the extremes Of falsehood, it by no
means follows that the truth must be found
On the contrary, it is altogether more probable
that truth exists wholly outside of limits thus
defined.
Suppose-for example, it is desirable to know
something of the popular sentiment of a certain
Congressional district; and such questions are al
ways of peculiar interest to an Administration. A
political meeting has been lately held, and on ex-
aiming the report of the local 'organ'' we find
That early in the morning living streams of the bone
and sinew might have been pouring into the vii
lage OF Horseopos splendid collation. prepared in
the open air. and all the assembled multitude sumptuous
ly RECALLED. At o'clock, p. precisely, the great
Administration Champion-the Honorable Judge TwAp
took the stand and for three hours held the immense
audience unclaimed as by SPELL save when at some
splendid burst of eoquence unusually brilliant
scination of wit the irrepressible enthusiasm of the
listening thousands broke forth into shouts of applause
&c &C. &c From the evidences thus presen ed of the
state of public feeling in this district may safely
that is sound beyond all question and that the majority
at the coming election
So far, so good; but the Black RepuJlica,
Eagle has also q report to make of the SAM
event and does not hesitate to proclaim it a
emphaticay 'THE FzzLE" of the season.
GAN the respectable portion of the meeting wa. com
posed of opponents of that incarnation Of misrue which
disgraces country-attracted by curiosity know
what sort of corporal's guard might be up b,
the promise OF roasted pig and barrel of whiskey t.
stand one of TwADDLE's fourhour harangues mum
Der of hafgrown boys attracted by the promised
presentation of flag, (cotton-coSt S7K cents al
the Irish on the Horseopolis and Puget Sound Rail
road sent in by the contractors PADDY's affec
ton for pig and whskey is well known and tn
fact that the pig the present occasion, and
about half done at that and that the whiskey strong
marked degree to derac from his enthusiasm charat
teristc incident somewhat marred the festivities pei
haps, we should say improved them, for in PADDY
view
Without to aggravate the fun,
What were feast?-a world without a sun.
provident but selfish bog-trotter observed
take steal carry away and hide in a hollow stump,
whole ham of the public porker- thinking perhaps,
BIDDY and the chitder in the shanty. The unhapp
would doubtless have been lynched but for Ii
active interference of Gen. FRoGsTooL who prov
dentially present
The rising of TwADDLE to speak was signal for Il
dispersion of the audience and but that whskey
rel was within few yards OF the stand he would
have had no one near him but deaf and dumb JoHNN
and the editor Of the filthy Administration sheet who bo
sat Immediately before him throughout the Performance
and appeared equally gratifed We heard not a sing
sentiment of APPRECIATION tho the editor referred to-
several occasions tried to get up manifestation
applause. After the subsistence of TwADDLE there was
universal shout for Gen. FRoGsTooL-he eloquent cane
date of the opposition who Glanced have said
be on the ground Being quite unprepared he took Il
stand with evident reluctance but need not assure
readers, most of whom have hung cntranced upon Il
thrilling eloquence of this gifted statesman that We
few moments would have enabled him entirely to demo
sh the sophstry and expose the misrepresentation off
opponent, when the Irish, mad with noxcaon and st
rel up, have the means of proving by that mimi
of a reckless Administration, the editor aforesaid made
rush upon the stand and compelled him to desis &c.
This event. however, has had an effect by no means a
ticipated by its promoters-it will TwADDLE
fifteen hundred votes in this district and ensure the
umphant election Of the patriot and statesman-Genel
CAIUs MARCUS FRoGsTooL.'
From such reports as these, we may certain
infer that either TwADDLE or FRoGsTooL will
elected to Congress-a fact which was plain enoug
before;-but the spirit of falsehood and misrepI
sentation so pervades each statement that Meth
affords any ground for arriving at a true concl
sion. If, therefore, the public voice has no 9th
means of expression except that afforded by par
san newspapers, its real significance can never
understood. An Independent press alone allo,
the hope of rising above the slang and can't
falsehood, meanness servility and vulgarity
partisan journalism, and obtaining clear and Il
couded views of truth. One line of approbat
from such press which has won for itself t
distinction of an undertaking adherence to pr
ciple, and an absolute an d answering respect
the TRUTH is worth and will effect more th
endless columns of venal praise-for any Admi
istration, or any part Of its policy, which may
fortunate enough TO obtain it.
The public good requires that there shall
some standpoint commanding wider and me
accurate views of the relations of passing even
than is occupied by those writers who have volu
tarily degraded themselves to the blind service
any party, Each issue of well conducted par
should be one days complete history of the worl
q