New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-04-16
POLITICS AND JOURNALISM.

The true position Of the Newspaper with reference
grave and general interest. The Journal is every
day becoming more and more important dissent
nator of opinions as well as of facts, and thus an
educator as well as infOrmer of the masses. What
then, is its true attitude to politics and parties
Our recent article touching this matter has evoked
one from The N. Y. Times, which-desirous that
our readers shall examine the subject from opposite
points of view-we print elsewhere in this paper
Our own views thereby suggested are as follows;
j. 1t seems to us that journalist is, should be,
an elector, citizen, man. AS such, it is his SIM
pie duty to study the facts affecting the political
well-beiDg of his country and of mankind, and to
form definite opinions thereon. Having formed
such opinions, it seems to US natural and proper
that he should express them, and most constrained
and awkward if not untruthful to seek or seem
to disguise them. If it be-as we undoubtingly
hold it-as clearly and truly good citizens duty to
vote as to pay his taxes and to so vote and act pO
Ttically as to give effect to his convictions, then
do not see how he can laudaby feel or feign in
difference as between the great parties now strug-
gIDR IO1 dscenuency III Lns country.
III. Tie Times itself holds that Gan independent
"jCurnal" must approve or condemn this or that
party "just as the specific acts of either may de-
"serve." Most true! but why does not the same
rule apply to it's prineiples-that ia, to its avowed
tenets and purposes Suppose, for instance, one
of the great parties were to adop. and proclaim
the reopenng of the African Slave Trade as one of
its leading objects, should not this avowal be ap-
proved or condemned as plainly and earnestly as
any "specifc actl" If not, ~hy not If "an
independent journal must condemn what lever
deserves condemnation" how shall party plat
forms and principles, avowed or unavowed, be ex-
cluded from the operation of this rulel
III. The Times seems to us sadly to mistake or
grossly to misrepresent the pOsition of an editor
who cherishes convictions with regard to the
principles involved in the controversies of the day,
and plainly avows and commends them. In saying
that
party journal Is like railroad train fixed rack:-ts
editor what view every -hs has only
70 be dragged By the party locomotive, and keep the party
he asserts what our experience emphaticslly con-
tradicts. We, certainly, never learned from any
party or party platform what to believe and com.
mend with regard to Human Slavery, the Protec.
ton Of Home Industry, River and Harbor Improve
nent, Cheap Postage, the Abolition of Frankina D
Pacific Railroad, Free Homestesds, or any Other
question Of any serious consequence. All that we
accept from any party is the designation of candi-
dates wherewith TO give effect to our own prSexst-
ing convictions. If any Convention Of the party
which, on the whole, seems to US most deserving Of
our support, ever presents platform which does
not embody our own convictions, we repudiate and
spurn that platform.
w. The Times thinks we do pretty well in pro-
posing To rebuke the errors Of our own party, but
wishes Us to Ego one step further, and applaud