The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-03-06
Independent journalism.

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superior intelligence Of the last twenty
years; and the success it has achieved
is one of the highest compliments which
can be bestowed upon an enlightened
and discriminating public From the
hour that newspapers became political
engines, until mail facilities and per-
sonal independence justified change
Of policy, they were always attached to
some politician, or body Of politicians,
who managed them 10 secure their own
selfish purposes; and by this process,
the dignity, of journalism fell Far below
the standard which naturally belonged
70 it
1t is not necessary to inquire into the
causes which led to so deplorable re-
suit; suffice it to say that there are
none but know that such was the case;
and three were and are no well wishers
Of the country, but regretted the fact
There were few men who Aourished
between the beginning of the century,
and 1916, but kept an organ, supporting
it by their money, and giving it eircu-
laticn-such as papers of that day had
through their influence
1t is not surprising, when we reflect
upon this fact, that the circulation Of
public Journals was then small; and a
thousand was regarded as an enormous
list Of subscribers The editors wrote
to please their patrons-thepoliticains;
and the interests Of the people were
ignored.
The invention and general introduc-
ton of cylinder presses, together with
the addition of many new and expen-
siye features in the collection of read
ing matter for the paper, took the sup
port Of newspapers from the hands Of
those who had hitherto been their main
reliance. No politician could afford to
run newspaper for his especial bene-
fit; and no publisher could keep one up,
without the liberal patronage of the
people
This at once created revolution in
journalism in all except few slow
sections of the country; from that hour
the independent paper, which cut loose
alike from party, and men, came into
existence, and flourished without a par
allel Their interests were identical
with those of the people; they advocated
principles and only supported men, as
they become the opponents Of those
principles; and their influence in giving
a proper direction to political parties,
has been immense
The first attempt at independence
originated in New York There, the
Tribune, after ceasing to become mere
party organ, 9uadrupled its circulation
in q year or two; then the Times, which
sprang into life amid unparalleled com
petition, become a paying institution
almost from the beginning.
In Cincinnati, too, we have a fair il
lustration Of what Independent journ-
ais can do A few years since the Com
mercial was prescribed in all the Know
Nothing lodges Of the State and mem
bers pledged themselves not to give it
support and the result was, that with
in a twelve months, the circulation Of
that paper was doubled The Gazette
followed; and the Times, after the death
of the Know Nothing party, assumed a
similar position; and what is the RESULT
The aggregate daily circulation of the
three papers Is now over 10000 and
their weekly circulation 10000 while
the Enquirer, mere party organ, can
scarcely maintain its existence.
In some sections, the old idea of an
'organ" is retained; and few soulless
journals are kept in existence in that
way; but they must cease to circulate
the moment a real live rival enters into
competition with them We hear of
verdant politician, occasionally, so sill !
ly as to invest his funds in q newspa-
per, 20 be devoted exclusively to his
own interests; but sad experience viii |
prove 10 him the old adage about fool
and his money.
Whenever we see q journal made a
political organ, we have no difficulty in
deciphering its fate; either it viii main
tain siclly existence, or die out alto
gether The Washington papers are |
examples Of this They live by gov
ment patronage, and having no motive |
for enterprise, exhibit none
We recollect once meeting a journal
list from q neighboring State, and being /
old friends, a conversation naturally |
sprang up relative to the prospects Of |
his paper. We knew ithad aourished, /
and so remarked; ives, was the reply /
at has hourished, and viii now do even
better; it has been resolved, in caucus,
70 make it the organ Of the party 4
We admonished him that his hopes /
might be little sanguine on that sub
ject but he thought otherwise. What 4
is the result to-day That paper can
scarcely live, as we happen to know, /
from authentic sources; and unless its /
particular candidate for the Presiden- I
ey-and that man is not Mr. Lincoln /
succeeds in the nomination at Balti- /
more, it viii either pass into. other
hands, or die
Politicians who take upon themselves
the standardization of newspapers,
are never the men who furnish the
material aid upon which editors live.
How many of the score or two of these
irresponsibies ever take; and pm for a
paper1 We presume the experience Of
almost every newspaper proprietor viii
suggest to him a ready answer to this
question
We might pursue this theme further;
but il is unnecessary. Should we revert /
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