Weekly national intelligencer., 1863-08-20
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 1868.
rHE DUTY OF PUBLIC JOURNALISTS.

We beg to return, in this general way, our sin
cere thanks to the many subscribers and friends,
residing in all parts of the Loyal States who have
recently written us to express their approval of the
course we have felt it our duty to pursue as public
journalists in the present juncture-siVing to the
Administration all possible support, so far as Its
measures have seemed to us constitutional in their
origin, vigorous in their enforcement, and expe
dent to the end had in view; and expressing our
dissent, always with candor and moderation, from
measures which have seemed open to just excep-
tions on any or all of these grounds. We have
always conceived that owed no less than this to
eyery Administration, and most OF all to an Ad-
ministration charged with interests more moment
Gus than any which have preceded it in the history
Of the country, and whose decisions, in proportion
as thew shall be wise or unwise, must give COM
plexion to the destiny Of the country for good or
for evil in all time to come. Indifference or mat
tention to the proceedings of those who conduct
public affairs in the name and by the authority of
the American people is inexcusable at all times,
but it becomes positively criminal in the presence
of the great events passing before the eyes of
the nation.
But there are some who hold that the conduct
of our affairs at this crisis should be remited into
the hands of the Administration without critical
INQUIRY as to the nature effect of the dispositions
that may be taken by its particular members An
old subscriber in the State Of Pennsylvania writes
us, for instance, only few days ago, as follows:
ain times like these good every where think that
faults of judgment of men in power should be
overlooked for the sake OF the which they have in
hand The influence Of the nteigencer ought to be very
potent and certainly it is with the best class of men in the
country but the most conservative men now will not
agree that the arm of the Administration should be weak
ened by continually finding fault with its weaknesses"
We have no doubt that we entirely concur with
the spirit of the writer in these suggestions, and
we receive them, coming from him, in the same
candor by which we know them to be inspired.
But if he will examine their purport he will find,
we are sure, that, as public journalists set for
the defence of what we honestly deem to be right
and expedient in this day of trouble, could not,
without criminal delinquency, overlook "the
faults or errors of judgment of men in power"
The very motive cited by correspondent in sup
port of such a view" the sake of the cause which
the7 have in hand"-would constrain US, as we are
true to that cause, to cry aloud and spare not ac
cording to our solemn impressions of public duty
If "the cause" were not damaged or jeoparded by
faults or errors of judgment of men in power"
we should be willing to overlook" them.
And this rule of duty is enhanced in its obliga-
lions on us by the influence which our esteemed
correspondent is pleased to ascrbe to the National
Intelligencer. If we have any influence with
the hest class Of in the country" it is not, we
are conscious, for any superior ability bring to
the discussion of current questions, but simply
because we are presumed, in the generous conf
dence Of our readers to speak our honest opinions
"without fear, favor, or affection" inspired by
allegiance to party. We belong to no party, as
parties are constituted, and therefore, We hope,
speak for country without prepossession or dis
turbsnce fron other extraneous Influences than such
as are incident to human judgments under the most
favorable circumstances. We must take care that
this generous confidence of our readers be not
abused, and to this end we neither wage fac
tious opposition to the men measures OF this Ad
ministration, nor give them an unquestionlng sup
port. If any or measures cannot stand the
test of such Inquiry as we defend and seek to
practise, it is very little to their credit, and We
have reason to know that the intelligent members
Of this Administration do not plead for exemption
from criticism on any such grounds. They must
wish to be held to just sense Of their RESPONSE
bility to the country, for they know they can
not escape the judgment of history. President
Lincoln truly said, in his last annual message,
speaking of himself and his official associates in
| the Cabinet and in Congress
Fellow. citizens, cannot escape history We Of this
Congress and Of this Admin stra'ion will be remembered
in spite of ourselves No personal significance insgnif
spare another Of us The fiery trial
through which pass pH HgM us doon 10 honor dis
| honor to the latest generation"
! We cabnot doubt that the President and his col
leagues are properly jealous of their own reputa-
tions, and if sincerely desirous Of promoting the
welfare Of their country, as none can concede more
chcerfuly than we, they entitled to the honest
judgment of their contemporaries on the bearing
and probable result Of all their determinations.
Between this and systematic or factiou, opposition
there is worldwide difference The arm of the
Administration however, is in little danger of be-
ing weakened even by such opposition, for con-
slant fault-6nding rarely fails to defeat itself, un-
less, indeed, the party accused shall be constantly
making mistakes fraupht with detriment In tho