New-York tribune., 1868-12-30
MR. BowLEs DECLINES a PUBLIC DINNER.

Gov. Alex. II. Bullock, Gen. n. i. Banks,
Richard II. Dana, ir., Samuel e. Howe. John Lothr"p
Motley, George s. Hard. Charles Gordon Greene Id
ward Atkinson, Josiah Quincy, and others OF BOSTON,
having rendered the compliment OF pubic ainhcr 10
Mr. Samuel Bowles Of The Springfield RephD"cd"' tnat
repeman replied under date OF "Springheld, Dec 2o
as follows
Cr,yrtr,rN: While receive your compliment with
gratitude aud pride. beg you VIII excuse me rom nc nc
dinner ! cannot feel NAT havG uDn9 5 VI the rnnse Of
independent journalism IA To justly lle l ~ i,, M the
ing my coavic, II the desIablity ot man
a. of the Press as great means Of tr goWtn
rs mower, and its independence. Besues u" ur' !'
suptclles and presence however brilliant or attractive
cud add force or influence to the bre1 Word you hNo
written When gentlemen OF 80 widely different as
Soj' "olj,iri raT;ies and ali the leading interests
and professions Of society. unite to sph LOT inc ln-
f iciu and hone for us a. The cOrruptions IN poi
ic, aud the curuptOus ia business nLdiia nave DreUo
gse and startling Within the last icw years; ana tc
morn, sense of the community at times To have be-
come buuted by the successful display aud fcptioh ="
practics that violate every principle Of fardranE anu
icorifv and put the control OF Government ana the
value many kinds ~ property at the mercy o
alventuters and ruthless stock gamblers. Inc PRES
rrllv seems 10 be the best II not the only instrument
with which honest men can nLt thesc chtlnf6 "I l"'
aud integrity n government and security in properly.
know 10 is often crude M IT'S reports and Wauion
less n it, comments; these evils must ana wi ~ Cu
rcctcd with its groWt-and compared WIN It's il iutn,o
but We have more 10 fear mt present from us
from its subscrvicucy from It's Indifference rom ~ i'
to encounter prosecution and loss OF PATRONAGE y ' -
posIre Of the wrong aud the exposition oi the Ilsn'
4 courageous independence and INTEGRITY OF p"ipoFv,
coup,d with a fearless expression OK tIuth hs 10 an
uublic individuals, corporations, ana pdI'tr
are the features iu is character 20 bo most ehc"'Lu
now We can bc patient with CludcuCss, even WIN "c
rree Of rccklrssIcs-. II can have these DINER anu
necessary qualities vigorous exercise Ihr ffcS5 Oh
dav shoad be what Russell Lowell describes IT, " n
dread ful mast IT. with scent so keen Tor sheep WoNe
clothing ana for certain other anlhals III nous fhts,
rather than the crouching spaniel gCing for food from
every quarter. licking the hand that dSgraces IT, anu
only mildly protesting against ouiaees upon l,seii , ~
the community 70 st 20 guard. Ny own ODscfNhuon -
mat tie press rarely does injustice 10 thoiougly
honest man or cause II may be deceived WIN regard 10
q uriyntc individual md msreprcscut hiiu Tor uhe
buf with reference To- public men and measures lts hoN
edge more intimate aud complete than mat ot any otHer
agency po.sblv can be- and know tat 10 Wthholds u-
Justly public 100 times where II speaks NIunL'
once the individual. Certainly nine ont OF zen o il
bel ss against the Press are brought by adyentures
md spcruatuls aud ScOundeis whose couIlNhHcta TO
rop the public have been exposed thank you again,
reDtIe,pn for he compliment TO myself; thank You
much more for the encouragement ana Inspiration !ou
have given to the cause OF independent JOuIhahsh