New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-05-10
TILE INDEPENDENT.

I'm the number OF The Independent for tins
week, the editor, Mr.. THEODORE THToN, an
nounces the policy which he intends to pursue
in the management of that journal. Hereto
fore it has been regarded, though not with
entire justice, "a an organ OF the C0ngrega-
tional denomination. It was started, 1T Is true,
in the interests of that ecclesiastical, or rather
anti ecclesiastical, body. and continued to sus-
tain the relation until its editorshp was as
sumed by Mr. Beecher. Under his administra-
ton it was conducted as his personal organ,
and not as the mOuthpiece of any church or
sect. and when it passed into the hands OF the
present editor, il was without thought on his
part of bending it back to its original shape
as a Congregational instrument. AS portion
of the public may not have fully understood
his ground, he now explicitly states that, what
ever The Independent may have been IN one
past, it is henceforth not UNCONVENTIONAL,
not a sectarian, not q Congregational, but re-
ligious journal based on the broad foundation
of the Christian religion, and not on the mar
row platform of Christian sect. 1t will be
conducted not according to the Westminster
Catechism nor according 10 the Burial Hill
Confession of Faith, but simply according to
the plain and undisputed principles OF Christian
ethics. Mr. TiltOn, il would seem, has been
made the object of some reproach, on account
of admitting contributions into The Independent
from writers who have but little reputation
for immaculate orthodoxy:
1--WE have lately been bullIcd and brow beaten
taffeconaely. OF course by some Congregatonal cer
gymen because we have invited into our columns slch
writers as William Lloyd Garrison. Lydia Maria Chd:
Charles sumner. Thomas Wentworth Higglnson, ana
Others These writers have been soemnly ana warnngy
described 10 MS infdes Shame. messiers critics!
Remember the words OF King David Who can stretch
forth his hand against the Lords anolnted ana Dc quit
lessr II makes sorrowful, to witness the pitifui
bigotry which consent to write the word nndeiy
sonay do agree with the religious views OF these
writer's. Nor TO take another Instance do we agree WIN
Greeley. But shall we, on this account smut me
doors Of re pd t in tho faces O5 5oess
one OF the sweetest and noblest OF modern
hymns Nearer my God to Thee: 9eeanse is anO OF
me Congregational Rerer and ercely charge one OF tne
most Christian OF american Women MIS- hee e NE
BbleF Shall we make these columns an Inasr EJPmya-
as may be allowed speak aud Of such others as must DC
Kept slenti Shall shrlvel me Indepehdsht INTO
picus for weekly distribution by the American TRACT
We hereby announce the theological critics OF viii
Child and John e. Whittier, Charles summer aqd Wendell
Phillips Thomas Wentworth IIiggnson and Edmund
When the time shall arrive for the exclusion Of these men
AND and 5HS we shall
proudly retain what measure OF seIlrespect we now
possess, and retire IN their honorable company!
The Independent once expressed an editorial opinion
mot written by ourselves by our predecessor that
William LLOYD Garrison was degraded nndel, and that
Oliver Wendell Holmes was moral parricide Inc Dog
Noble respectfully announces that he has quit bark
ing at that ancient hole!'
Mr.. Tilton enters upon rhe course which he
has marked out for himself with the brave and
jocuml spirit which is a part of his nature. He
reioices in the hosts of friends, with whose
generous faces he is familiar. A thrOng of the
Young and sanguine, in the pulpit and out OF
it, whose brows yet glitter with the dew OF
youth, stand by him. 1.-The antiQuated mana
gers of ecclesiastical conventions, and the
aims. collecting editors of medieval religious
Journals. viii be as powerless TO control the
Young blood Of this rising ministry as TO ask
"the sun at morning TO turn back the day"
The battle of ideas, which he so jOyfully well
comes, opens o congenial field TO Mr.. Tilton,
and HE cheerful hilarity and resolute bearing
in the onset afford bright omen of victory.