The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-05-04
journalism In it's Relation to Political ,
PARTIES

From the Tribune.
What is the proper attitude of a public
journal towards the rival parties which must
divide every free country? Should it regard
them with equal favor Or equal Indifference
Should it, on the contrary, "deem this side
always right, and that stark naught ?" Or
should it sustain that one which it deems
generally right, yet hold itself free to expose
the errors, reprove the shortcomings, and
condemn the misdeeds, of those who shall
from time to time seek to pervert that party's
flag into a cloak for their own greed, or a sail
wherewith to wait themselves to undeserved
power and eminence
We did, in years long past, conduct jour
nal which aimed to treat the public questions
of the day in such manner as to give offense
to neither party; and experience convinced us
that the position of neutral in politics is
irksome, unnatural fettered. 1t does not
permit him to say what he often feels should
be said and heard. The proper attitude of a
journalist, like that of any other citizen, is
| that which allows him most freedom to act as
his convictions may dictate; and that is pre-
cisely the attitude we hold in conducting the
! Tribune. We act with that party which we
! deem right in the main, because we thus give
effect to our personal convictions. And one
] ".
as well as to the country, constrains us to
expose and resist any wrong which is sought
to be perpetrated under its shield, by the
abuse of its influence and good name.
The New York Times, upholding what it
sets forth as the independence of the press,
SAYS
The fact that newspaper advocates the
principles and measures OF political party is
held to give the leaders of that party a right to
dictate It's action, and to punish any recusance
on It's part with the party displeasure. Leading
| journals too often lend themselves to this un9
worthy and degrading policy. The Tribune, for
| example, either from impulse or lancied in
terest, is very fond of reading out OF the party,
ana turning over TO the uncovenanted mercies
ol mere outsiders, any rival which hesitates to
echo The principles and espouse the policy die
lated to IL by party leaders and conventions"
The requirement which the Times thus
caricatures in order to defy is simply that a
Journal shall be honest-shall not profess one
thlng In order the more effectually to do the
exact opposite The Times, for example, did
formerly coincide with the Republican party.
IT now sees fit to favor that party's adverse
RES, as 1t has perfect right to do. What it
mas no rght to do is to use its position and
prestige as a Republican journal to injure the
great party 1t has fully resolved to desert and
Qtpossible) destroy; and it is precisely this
that we complain of.
In the political canvass of 1866. the inau-
ence of the Times was given to the anti -Repub-
lican combination which was formed at Phila-
delphia in July. Even after it protested to
accept and support the Republican nominees
in our State, Il slurred them on every oppor-
tunity, sneered at what it charged was their
purpose to win the votes of the Fenians, sup
ported the candidate for Congress Of the Hoh,