The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1865-08-05
An Editors Duty.


some excellent remarks in connection
with an extract from the Springfield
{ Mass. Rspu6lican.every word of which
we endorse. The Republican lays down
the true mission of newspaper. "tO
tell the truth" If the truth is unplea-
SAINT it must be told.
"To suppress the TRUTH" says that
journal, "may often be as hurtiul as to
utter a falsehood, aud the newspaper
tina, intentionally does either. with the
idea that it is thus serving the interests
Of any party. makes gross mistake.
Il is merely destroying its own influence
in community and making itself a
nonentity."
A mere party paper. that defends all
the acts of its own side and condemns
all the measures of the opposition. is a
nuisance. 1t is worse than nuisance,
it is an enemy to the public welfare.
How can reforms be carried out or
abuses be reformed except BY advocacy
and exposure !? He who will cover up
crime because it was perpetra;ed BY
one of "our party" is no better than q
thief, and is exactly on par with the
receiver of stolen goods. Ii our party
is good-and every man ought TO take
care that he is of good pArty-then
good men should administer Its offices;
and bad man in a good party is worse
than a bad man in bad party. Keep
"our party" pure, and then it will be a
power. 1t was the fealty to party above
principle that brought on the rebellion.
1t was the refusal to expose crime in
party officials and the persistent efforts
to cover it up when likely to be exposed.
that has filed the land with corruption
and fraud for quarter Of century.
1t is the mission of the newspaper to
correct this evil, and until the press be-
comes honest it is unworthy of the sup
port Of the public. 1t is the protector
Of virtue -or should be and il il
proves recreant TO its high trust. it
should be reformed or abolished.
A newspaper is power. Il either
does good or evil. and that continually.
It is fountain sending forth streams Of
purity or impunity constantly. from
which the great public drink. II i'm.
pure. that public is poisoned; if pure it
is benefited, made better.
Unfortunately there are always few
narrow, selfish souls, who wish an cdi-
tor to measure all his ideas in their
bushel; and If he fails to do just as they
desire. he is no true friend of the party.
Such men are curse to the country.
AS if party should be above truth and
patriotism. above country and freedom
of thought! Away with such . no.
lion! It is unworthy of an American
citizen.
We have always made it rule to
condemn what we conceived to be
wrong in either friend or foe, and 10
commend what we believed 10 be right
in either. If our party friends expect
us to cover up any Of their pecsdillos
because they are Of "our party they
will find themselves mistake. We can
excuse corruption better in sn opponent
than in friend. because the other party
is no, SO good as ours, and cannot be
expected to have as good men in it.
Men Of our party must walk the straight
line Of duty. or they are false to the
party. to principle and profession. and
must be exposed.
We are heartily glad the Conservative
has spoken out SO plainly on this SUBJ
ject. 1t is right. and the people will
sustain it.