New-York tribune., 1867-05-03
JOURN1LISA LX Its RELATION TO P0
tI1TC4L PARTIES

What is the proper attitude of public jour
nal toward the rival parties which must divide
every free countryG Should it regard them
with equal favor OF 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 short -cOmings, and condemn the
misdeeds, of those who shall from time to time
seek to pervert that paIty's flag into a cloak
for their own greed or sail whercwth to
watt themselves to undeservcd power and
eminences
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 0ffense
to neither party and experience convinced Ills
that the position of a neutral in politics is
irksome, unnatural, fettered. 1t does not per-
nit him to say what he often feels should be
said and heard. The proper attitude of jour
nalist, like that of any other citizen, is that
which allows him most freedom to act as his
convictions may dictate; and that is precisely
the attitude we hold in conducting TuE TRIB-
UNE. We act with that party which we deem
right in the main, because we thus give effect
to our personal convictions. And one Of our
most imperative duties, to that party as well as
to the country, constains us to expose and re-
sist any wrong which is sought to be perpe-
trated under its shield, by the abuse of its in
fluence and good name
The n y. 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 ea
eis Of that party right TO dictate It's acOn and TO pun
s any It's part with the party dspeasure
Leading journals too often lend themselves TO TINS uh-
worthy and degrading policy TIE TRIBUNE. for exam.
pie either from impulse Or fanSied d &c yety fona
cOvenanted nerces OF nero outsiders, any rival which
hestates to echo the principles and espouse the policy
dictated TO 1t by party leaders and conventions"
The requirement Which Ihf Zines thus
caricatures 10 order TO defy is simply that n
journal slal be honest-shall not profess one
thing in order the more effectually to do the
exact opposite. The Times, for example, did
formerly coincide with the Republican party.
1t now sees fit to favor that party's advei-
saIies, as it has a perfect right to do. What
it has no right to do is to use its position and
prestige as a Republican journal to injure the
great party it has fully resolved to desert and
Gf possble) destroy; and it is precisely this
that we complain Of
In the political canvass of 1866, the influence
of The Times WAS given to the anti-Republcan
combination which was formed at Philadelphia
in July. Even after it prOfessed to accept and
support the Republican nominees in our State,
it surred them on every opportunity, sneered
at what it charged was their purpose to win
the votes of the Fenians, supported the candi-
date for Congress of the Hoffman Democracy
in the district last represented by its Editor
and did more to swell Hofman's vote in City
and State than if it had squarely supported
him. Yet the Editor, on Tesuming his seat in
Congress thereafter claimed nevertheless ad
mission to the Republican caucuses, precisely
as though he had not been rowing all Summer
with Doolittle, Dixon, and Cowan.
There is difference of opinion among Re-
publicans as to Reconstruction. We concur
with that portion lin our judgment great
majority of the party which, while insisting
on full justice to the Freedmen and security
against, Rebel domination, is yet anxious for an
early and general amnesty for Rebels and for
the prompt restoration of the States disorgan.
lied by treason to self-government and repre-
sentatjon in Congress. The Times would seem
also to sympatlize with this view. Senator
Wilson of Massachusetts, is an eminent cham
pion Of the milder policy, and is now traversing
the South in its behalf. If The Times were in
any sense Republican, it would naturally regard
that Senator'S canvass with decided favor. Yet