New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-04-16
INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM.
From The N. Y. TIMES, April H.

W. H.
THE TRIBUNE in its new prospectus declares its pur-
pose to show its faith in Republican principles by
free and fearless crit,cis 9 the errors and 6tanders
"of ITS 6pR party" This ia one step toward inde-
pendence in journalism. II The TRIsUsE will no v
90 one step further and applaud whatever in the &C
tion Of the opposite party may deserve applause and
perform both there functions with fairness, candor,
and with cole reference TO the public interest," it will
stand fairly upon the platform Of independent Jour
DaliEm.
Yet a few days ago The TRIBUNE denied the pos
sibiiiy of maintaining such ground. Even when the
task is attempted in good faith, editing nopArty
paper compels the Journalist, in its opinion to mnce
"ubs thst ought TO be sqasrey put FORTH and to re-
"Tress convictions 10 which he would gladly give ut
"serance." The TRIBUsE confounds Independence and
impartality with neutrality. IL is ole thing to say
nothing Of either party, and quite another to say
everything, that is just and merted, Of Gll parties.
The latter s the DUTY Of Independent political jour
nast; tue former the right Of who either cares
nothing for politics does choose TO make his oor
nal the Venice of political oissu,si0D.
But 80 far as "miDciDs truths" and suppressing
convictions concerned, is not the patty Journal
list pTeeminebtly compelled 70 90 botdI Even The
TRIBUNE will not denounce errors, blunders, faults,
and crimes committed by lts an party, with the same
vigor and vehemsrce which 1t wou bring 70 the o.
by lie opponents. Money was nO,orl0osIy ured by
both parties IN the Connecticut and Rhooe Island cleo
tioIs; The fact has been bazoDed and justly branded
by The TRBUEE go tar ae the DE mocras concerned
has SIMILAR &C ion on u part of the Republicans, of
which We have pIecifely The same evidence-common
report md notorttI received equal casg alton rs is
handfl So wi b other matters. fDe Repaolcaos have
the majority both branches Of our STATE Legislature,
and thus responsible fully aud directly, for is a:-
ton. Does lot TIE TRIBUNE mince" this fact and
"sUpI Tess" something Of s coBvieto,s" when dig
d. 4 IL. al. H.
bill, the bill for removing tue City Hall to MADISON
qnare and other measures equally obnoxious TO pdb-
lie sentiment and common justce
The defeat Of he Health bill il half Endorsed by THE
TRIBUNE, on the ground that les ena;tmeut would
"cover with odium' the party passing it. Toe Madi.
soD-squAe abomnation it half approved by excusing
the votes of the Senators from the rural dstrcts on
the ground that they acceded to the un An nous sh
Of their colleagues from the City," Was not here
rome "suppretsson Of convictons'-Homs miacing
Of truths which an independent Journal would
have found Necessary Did TIE cRIBUsE say all it
woDd have ssid against these hstefo and unj1st
uIes If the Democrats h4d been the psry responsible
for them A recognized party journal owes certain
duties aud has certain sensbiitiss ia regard to ts
party which 90 not affect 1t in regard ~ It's opponens
and it is only by tai ing position Of entire independ
eHtenot Of priocipe but OF party interest aud
feeDg-thbt journal becomes free to tell the truth,
frankly and fully, without mincing suppression,
about all parties and their acts.
The TRIBUNE thus cbaracterlZes the manner In
which sn independent journal is constrained to act:
ats ordinary bestov cnf here and sap there
pat here and tap there dealing pvae aAd blame either
puzzled may be with regard the EDITORS sentiments
and Convictions on the main points at issue"
There is q touch of csrcature in this description
which jmpars its force. An independent oarnal must
undoubtedly IDEAL out praise aud blame to either
party just as either may be deserved;-it must be-
stow " cuff here and slap there, DOW upon one
party and then upon the other ast as the specific acts
OF either msy deserve. 1t il very easy to
euch impartial justce-to brand il AS inconsistency,
and create odom ON tue strength of it, In the minds of
those who jadge rythng from ts bearing upon
party or the other. Republican enjoys hu sesy
"cufi administered to certain misdeeds Of the Demo-
crate but he is ed when bis own party receives
a clap for precisely the otiense. Democrat
admiIes the independence of journal which will LASH
the Republicans when they deserve il, bat has ap-
ause for the same treatment of the deeds when
laid at the door Of his party. Yet independent
journal must treat both alike. IL must condemn what
deserves condemnation, and applaud what deserves
spplause, no matter by what party either may be per-
formed.
That this is difficult task no one who has tried it
reecs 10 be told. party journal Is like railroad
on fixed track-its editor knows what view TO take
OF every questionable bas only 10 be dragged by the
party locomotive and keep the party platform. An
DdeI endeDt editor must independent judy
ment on each particular act OF either party he must
make mp his wp mind upon the merits of each case,
and without regard TO the bearings of the act upon
mere party interests, on either SIDE. Of course he
will make mistakes HIS judgment will not ais ways |
he correct and still less will always agree with that
of others-especially with that of party men. He |
NUT expect therefore, to be censured aud perhaps de-
nOuLceo, from all sides at times, and often from both
s0es al This is Of the penalties Of his po
.iticnif unwilling TO pay 1t, he must not undertake
the DUTY.
And yet we believe that this is the true position for
a journalist 10 take II Journalism is his profession,
instead of Politics with journalism merely as means
Of political Toe country has an ABUNDANCE OF
patty organs. Every parry supports its newspapers,
and even the public money used TO SUSTAIN journals
which support tie party that happens TO have tue
handling OF IL. But journals of this sort are party
Of special political creed. They
DO not aim at independ ncethat is not their povince
They seek 20 promote the Of their party and
The grand ttet of any of any measure with them 49,
not It's inherent justice and proprey, bat its bearing
upon The party Of which they the advocates. Tue
great bulk of ewepapers are merely resined sd
Soeates urging only side Of the qaesaoo, aud avn
Dg only at victory. We need some, certainly, that
shall am TO perform the part Of Jadges-not retained
BY either side anxous only 10 discover the truth to
ebuke wrong 10 applaud the right and do justice TO
III men and all acts Of all paIes for she welfare of
he puole as large.