The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-05-26
SlaVish Journalism.

The New York EOening Post, one of
the most able and influential journals of
the country opposed in fair, candid and
earnest manner the trial of BoorHs accom-
plices by military commission, or in secret,
and for so doing was charged by the
BERoHERs Independent singular name!
the Post says) with hostility to the Gov
eminent, or with making ga savage"
ferocious," hasty and unwarrantable as
sault upon President JoHnsoHs adminis-
tration. The Post in reply, is surprised
at such views in the Independent, but ex.
pected no other estimate of the editorial
functions from such small hangers-on of
the treasury paps as some of the petty
newspapers published about Washington.
1t might have truthfully included nearly
all the Philadelphia papers, and those
presses in all the States which are the
largest recipients of the Administra-
ton patronage, for they are equally inca
pable of expressing an independent opin-
ion and are equally slavish in their support
ofevery act of every member of the Ad-
ministration.
The Eoening Post does not belong to
this class, and it gives us pleasure to quote
its ideas of journalism, which are applicable
to all parties:
Has it come to such pass with the press of
the United States that, like that of France. its
whole duty Is discharged when 1t has recorded
and approved the acts of power? Must we
praise everything that Is done at Washington
on pain of being accused of enmity 70 the ad.
ministration? Is there to be no frank, manly,
independent discussion of the great and i'm.
portant questions growing out of the war, or
must that be confined to the four or five over
worked and very busy gentlemen who COM
pose the Cabinet? Is public opinion to have
no channel of utterance7 Are the inquiries,
sagacious private persons to be shut up In their
bosoms, lest they expose themselves to the &C.
cusation of being enemies to the government
of their country2
1t is strange that the public, but particularly
writers for the press, do not see the very pal
pable distinction there is between the criticism
of q government which is intended to keep it
depose or overturn it; or IN other words, be-
tween the friendly criticism of its conscien.
tious supporters and the hostile criticism OF an
opposition. For our own part we do not OBJ
ject to either, because we believe both are
useful. Even the severe and Otter unjust dia-
tribes of an enemy are not always TO be depre-
Gated; in free country, indeed, political OPP
position is to be invited; it acts as restraint
upon the abuse of authority, and keeps alive
wholesome agitation of opinion; and more ad-
vantageous are the tempered and we'll meant re-
proofs of friends. whose only purpose Is to
further the establishment and progress of
sound principles. Gentlemen IN Office and the
dapper little fellows who cling to their skirts,
We know, do not like this freedom of remark
they are very apt 10 attribute bitterness or bad
feeling to whatever does not suit their per-
sonal purposes; but genuine statesmen, whose
minds are cast in q larger mould, welcome
such expressions as proper indications of pub
lie sentiment and useful guides to practice.
When the time shall come in this country that
its editors refuse TO declare their honest sense
of public proceedings lest it shonld give offence
to a party or an administration, we may as
we'll write Ichabod on the door of our temples,
for the glory shall have departed forever.