Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-05-22
:. Slnxish .IournnIism.,,

ssSlavish g journalism"
The NeD York EUening Post, in an edito-
rial under this caption, expresses itself ''ut-
terly surprised that" an intelligent journal
''should regard fair, candid and earnest
criticism of the proceedings of Government
as an act of hostility that deserves rebuke."
Opinions Of this sort expressed sin such
small hangers-on of the treasury paps as
some of the petty newspapers published at
Washington" would be looked upon by it
as a matter of course; but "to7 see views
of that sort expressed" by leading editors
who shave an honorable name," fills it
"with astonishment and mortitication;" and
with becoming dignity it asks:
'sHas it come to such pass with the press
of the United States that, like that of
France, its whole duty is discharged when
it has recorded and approved the acts of
power? Must we praise everything that is
done at Washington on pain OF being ac-
cused of enmity to the Administration?
Is there to be no frank, manly, Independent
discussion of the great and important ques-
tions growing out of the war, or must that
be confined to the four or five overworked
and very busy gentlemen who compose the
SdUlUcL! Is puDllC OpluiOH w hoNO hO
channel of utterance? Are the inquiries
the studies, the reasonings of competent
wise, sagacious private persons to be shut
up in their bosoms, lest they expose them
selves to the accusation of being enemies to
the Government OF their country !"
No doubt The Post, which was Jealous
supporter of the War and the policy of the
Administration of President LINCOLN, and
set its face obdurately against the "criti-
cism" of that policy as "enmity to the Ad-
ministration," now feels hampered by this
bad precedent, which it helped establish,
when it undertakes to indulge in the exercise
o; indt pendent journalism. If in time of
War the Judgment OF an Administration is
so infallible that the only office of the Press
is that of echo to, and applauder of, its
views and policy, the presumption is very
readily arrived at, that touching matters
that relate to condition of Peace, they are
equally infallible; and, therefore, need no
advice from the Press. The Post is free to
confess that in time of Peace, seven the Sc
we're, and often unjust diatribes of an enc
my are not always to be deprecated in a
free country, indeed, political opposition is
t. be invited; it acts as a restraint upon the
abuse of authority, and Keeps aliUe a wholesome
agitation Of opinion"
To person who will give to the subject
dispassionate consideration, it must GER
tainly occur that public opinion in time of
War should be kept in such wholesome con-
dition as to prevent the abuse of authority
to prevent corruption and mismanage-
ment of the War. This office the Demo-
cratic press endeavored to perform, and for
their patriotic labors they were so far re-
warded as to have their patriotism i'm
peached. Itdoes not therefore, even amount
to a circumstance that deserves the desig-
nation of singular, that an Administration
journal that has ability and character, in
seeking to criticise the policy of the Ad-
ministration now should provoke the ''sla-
wish" portion of the Administration Press
into an effort to write it into disgrace;
and it will be somewhat difficult to con-
vince that portion OF our people who have
adopted and acted out the views of the
Press that have decried freedom of Speech
and of the Press during the pastfour years,
that any Press has any right to criticise or
oppose any measure or policy that the ''sla-
wish" Press applaud. With them it is equiv
alent to a crime to concur with the Demo-
cratic Press touching arbitrary arrests,
arbitrary trials and Independent jour-
nalism, as that constitutes Copper
headismp in its rankness. To, distin-
guish between friendly criticism and criti-
cism which seeks the overthrow of the par
ty in the favor Of the people, will be diff
cult bordering on the extreme; and if the
latter is not allowable, the former must also
be ruled out. On the part of the Democrat
icpress it was considered conclusive evil
dence of sympathy with those whe sought
to establish the Southern Contederacy If
they criticised the propriety ofcertain meas
ures OF the Administration, and argued
against their adoption. And now, should
the Democratic Press criticise any policy
President JOHNSON shall decide to pursue
touching the great question of Pacification,
they will be charged with being animated
by bad motives. II the Democratic Press
has no right to eritieise any of President
JoHNsoN's measures, what right, we should
like to know, has any other Press to crit
icise them? Suppose he decides that in Or
der to pacify the South it is necessary to
adopt and enforce generous and humane
policy toward the Rebels, without giving
to the black man the privilege Of suffrage,
what right have the Administration Press
to object to it? l'ial --t C
The Evidence Against Davis.
IT, 20 +ha nraeant tirna thara Ia Y,of in tha