San Andreas independent., 1858-04-17
Responsibi4ities-efthe Press.

I
with sufnclent strength to combat sue
cessfully, the inevitable tendencies OF
wealth and ambition towards usurpation
and tyranny. Wespeak, in the premises,
only OF that branch of the press conduc-
ted In free countries, under Constitutional
guarantees of protection-the press of
America and England; for in no part of
the European continent is there such an
idea recognizable as the "freedom of the
press" The newspapers of France and
Germany and Spain are the mere pitiful
heralds of Court displays, royal marriages,
promotion of favorites, and such other
harmless items of gossip as the Capital
gives birth to, and as may be safely re-
tailed to the plebian public throughout
the realm.
1t is said that the London Times is the
"fourth estate in England This compli-
ment to its power is not extravaganza; for
the intelligence and spirit of the nation,
upon all subjects of public interest, is
caught uN and reflected from its columns,
with far more truthfulness than through
the clamorousa debates of the House of
Commons. These are again distributed
throughout the Kingdom, and become the
property and principles of the million. 1t
is thus that the Times is always with the
majority; and though it does not directly
overthrow a Ministry or defeat measure
yet. when the measure is lost and the
Ministry dissolved, the Thunderer had
always foreshadowed the event. To say
that this line Of tactics is always morally
right, is what we1sare not prepared to
prove; but, i. is at least in harmony with
that sense of justice and policy which
animates the majority. In our own coun-
try we ha several feeble imitators of the
Times; but they are only imitators. We
may instance the New York Herald, the
Neutrality-suspicious., and the Missouri
Republican. These journals have grasped
at the same conception, but lack the infu-
ence and ability to execute it. Though
always striving to be with the majority,
they ass frequently misrepresent the pub
lie pulse as they are right In such jour
mails as these, the people cannot ground
their hopes.
We are told that "eternal vigilance is
the price Of liberty" and this implies the
existence in all ages and under all forms
of government, of a subtle, active element
in constant antagonistic conflict with the
public veal. In this country we need
not grope about long to find that element.
It exists in human nature, under the forms
of ambition, avarice and host of passions.
1t enters the legislative halls; it robes
itself in judicial ermine; it achieves the
seats of Executive power and patronage;
it insinuates It's form into the peoples
primary elections; it is Janus-faced and
Protean-shaped; it pervades all classes; it
strikes in the dark; and in a Republic, it's
weapon is GINNING. We repeat it, there
is no power capable of resisting such a
formidable monster, save vigorous, high
toned and skillful newspaper press. This
is the legitimate sentinel and oracle of
the people-the wall which the genius
of Americans are erecting against the fo-
rays of wealth and ambition.
No strictly party paper-no mere organ,
can lay claim to this high purpose. Such
are all, to a greater or less extent, the
minions of great or a little cabal. The
cue to their dictum is generally obtained
through the jesuitical channels of the pri-
mary or final midnight caucus, which at
once, elects the delegates to the nom
mating convention and designates the
future incumbent for every Office in the
county; or lays down the principles (D
which are to govern this or that party,
according to an order received from head
quarters. From these causes, it often
happens that, though there may be a per-
feet unanimity of sentiment pervading
the different newspaper exponents of
party greatly in the majority, yet the pco-
pie are misrepresented by the press
Why are they misrepresented? Because
it is not to the people they look for sup
port. Theyare the hirelings of clique
the servile, mercenary accessories of those
who suhsist on Offices and plunder.-
These are not the sentinels to guard with
e'eternal vigilance" the liberties we in
herit. But fortunately for the cause of
pan and the problem of free institutions,
these corruptions are about to work their
own destruction. In the general scram-
bic for the crumbs which sycophants
gather arosnd the tables of power, the