The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1865-10-27
PRESIDENT JOHNSON.

1t should be the aim of American
journalism to be independent. The
freedom of the press, when exercised in
a spirit Of suborGination Ia individual
interests, is humhog. The course 0fl
public journals on all qaestious of prin.
cfple, should be determined ~ onse
who control them, with y. rite 1ar md
exclusive reference to the pdblic good.
This brings US to remark that in sup
porting candidates for Office ard sus-
tanning public functionarics in the dis
charge of their official duties, the news
paper shonld be governed by principle,
not by personal pique, or private or
party interest. We don'tpretend to be
infalliblein our urobscrvaucc Of this rule /;
yet, if there be any who arc disposed
to question our intentions in this re-
gard, we refer them to our files, with
out the slightest misgivirg as to their
opinion after scrutinizing our courseas
an editor. We have always tried 10 be
frank, nay, bold, in the utterance Of
what we believed to be right and true.
We did not hesitate to express our dis
appreciation of certain acts Of both
State and Federal Administrations,
when in Democratic hands, though at
the hazard of alternating many warm
and valued friends. SO, too, when the
administration of Mr.. Lincoln violated
its pledge TO the people, though int
prisonment stared Us in the face and
mob-law thundered at our door, we de-
nounced its infdelity and opposed its
bloody and vilIanou5 schemes; yet,
when, in our opinion, good came out Of
that political Nazareth, Wedid not hes
itate to commend it. And, now,
the administration of Andrew john
son challenges our editorial judgment.
Shall we make an exception in this
case? Shall we bestow COMMUNICATION
where censure is deserved, or, Oh sEe
other hand, shall we condemn whore
we ought to approve? ? We shall treat
the administration of Andrew john
son as We have treated that OF Mr..
Buchanan and that Of Mr.. Lincoln.
Ne shall approve L rheR zee think ii
right, condemn IL tche7l re think il wr0ng.
Just now we find it quite easy TO praise
many of Mr.. Johnson'sacts, simply be-
cause they are of Democratic tenden-
cy. We like his general treatment of
the Southern restoration question-his
release of State prisoners-his deliver
ance of Kentucky from martial law
his refusal TO force negro suffrage upon
the Southland many other good things
that he has done. His sanction Of that
modern Star-chSmber, the Trial by
Military Commission, we condemn
most unreseryedIy, though We are viii
ling to ''Iet the past bury its dead
Recent events have given Us confidence
in the determination of President
johnson to adhere to his present poll
cy toward the South. So long rs he
shows himself the friend OF peace, The
advocateof the reserved rights of the
States, the champion of the white
mans government, we will support
and sustain him. Whenever he cease
to be these God forbid that he ever
will we shall do all we can legitimate
ly to defeat the measures Of his ad
miuistTation. What we have writer
we intend as fair and full notice to al
concerned, that whilst we favor some
of the measures Of Mr.. Johnson, VIZ
are rot committed TO his UnequivOca
support and DO moi intend to be, unit
we have more light upon the subject