The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-03-04
BALTIMORE.
THURSDAY, MARCH a, 1858.

It's one of the exploded falacies of by-gone days
that newspaper must either have no political
opinions at ALL or must have them exactly squared
according to the exclusive and distinctive doctrines
of some particular party.
Until within comparatively recent period Amer
lean journals might have been classified as either
partizan or neutral. The former were the old
fashioned party organs, with their blind and
bgoted devotion to all men and measures bearing
the recognized party stamp, and their factous and
often senseess opposition to all persons or prnci-
piles outside the pale Of political orthodoxy The
latter constituted the professedly neutral press,
which endeavored TO please everybody and sought
to conciliate all classes and interests-which never
dared to avow opinion of its own, but studious-
ly maintained frigd and prudent reserve, or else
by ingenious trimming contrived to sail close
enough to the wind to be able occasion to shift
its course at 4 moments warning, in accordance
with the prevailing popular breeze
Between the rabd and servile partizanship of
the one class of journals and the timid and feeble
neutrality of the other, there is growing up pow
erful and overshadowing independent press, which
already counts its readers by hundreds of thou
sands, and yields an influence such as mere party
organs in their palmiest days. never aspred to pos
sess.
Both the partizan and the neutral Journals are
gradually raising themselves to this high indepen-
dent level. The former feel painfully conscious
amid the changes and mutations, the fusion and
confusion of political factions the gradual extinc-
ton of some, the impending dissolution of Others
and the disorganiZed condition of all, that it is no
longer possible to maintain permanent footing
upon the shifting sands of party organization
The neutral journals naturally contemplate with
satisfaction the disappearance of ancient political
landmarks and the ruption of old party ties, as af-
fording them the opportunity to discuss with free
dom and independence the new political issues of
these latter days.
The fact is, at the present moment parties are
everywhere in transition state political de
luge has come which is sweeping over the country,
subvertng old landmarks, levelling mountains
and filling up Valleys and the mere party-politi-
clans are borne along in its like drift wood
upon its surface. When or how the food will sub
side, and parties settle down into something like
permanence, no one can tell. Meanwhile how
ever the people who not politicians are holding
themselves aloof from party complications There
is no exaggeration in saying that an overwhelming
majority of American citizens are ready at this
moment to deposit their ballots without reference
to party names or organizations, for the men and
measures which may best commend themselves to
popular appreciation.
This new era of independent thought and action
in political affairs demands, its guide and expo
nent free and unshackled press. Party organs
no longer possess influence or command respect
Neutrality will answer for the mere newspaper.
The journal which responds with the ponderous and
rapid stroke of its steam press to the pulsatons of
the throbbing heart of the great world of life and
action, must continue in constant accord and SYM
pathy with public opinion, by rejecting and guild
ing its course with equal fidelity and independence