The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-05-11
San Independent Press

The necessity for an independent press in
our country arises from two peculiar circum-
stances, which attracted the philosophic att
tention of DeTocqueville during his visit to
America-the power Of society in demo-
cratic form OF government, and the uniform
ity of legislation. ss
Where the supreme power is lodged in the
hands OF the people, the press which informs
the public mind should not be surrendered
to partisan manipulation. Every intelll-
gent editor, of course, must have formed de-
cided views in regard to political measures;
but it may be questioned whether any mere
politician is competent to discharge the
duties of that Office. For the half-truths he
publishes have all the effect Of falsehoods.
These exaggerations confuse the Intelligence
and infame the passions which, among US,
are the source of legislation. Some histo-
rians assure us that fit OF indigestion made
Napoleon lose decisive battle, and thus
proved eventually the cause of the overthrow
of his empire. But the people may have.a
fit of indigestion, as we'll as the monarch,
and in their case the disease becomes chronic.
And as they have a right to do what they
please in republic, to what straits may they
not be driven if they have no better diet than
to-day stale cabbage-head FROM Boston,
and tomorrow dish Of poisonous mush-
rooms from Lowell?
The public taste and the general welfare
demand the circulation ofH newspaper, in
whose colrmns May be found authentic in
formation, liberal views, just criticism and
the unfolding Of policy suited to the pro-
gress and the vicissitudes of to-day. What
Charleston was fifty years ago, and what
South Carolina will be fifty years hereafter,
may be. subjects of interesting research, or
pleasant anticipation; out what the city and
State are and ought to be to-day, concerns
us vastly more than the records OF memory,
or the pictures of hope. The press should
live and move and keep abreast of the times,
if it would discharge the great function en-
trusted to it in a popular form OF government
Besides, what constitutes one of the dan
gers of such o system is also one of its ad-
vantages. The people do not understand
complications. They are influenced by gen.
eral ideas. They prefer simple rules OF ac-
ton, easy to be understood and universal in
application. Now it is easy to see what ad-
vant1 ga this tendency of opinion affords to
the popular instruction which every day and
directly addresses society, and which trans
forms ssblind instincts and ungovernable
t'habits" into great principles and COM
prehensive policy.
With US, the national movement which
precipitated the late war and has not yet
spent it's force, needs at once to be directed
and limited. The public mind is confused
by the general change-by new laws, new
conditions Of society, new adjustments OF
duties and Of rights. If the press is to dis
charge its duty under such circumstances, it
must be independent. A milk-and-water
policy will not serve when difficulties and
dangers are on every hand, and when the
time has come to shape law, and conserve
order, and guard property, and save society
itself. When every dear interest OF the
country is endangered, the greatest Of our
needs is men bold enough to encounter the
public peril, and strong enough to master it.
And it is subject OF congratulation, that
so many such men are now working for the
redemption of South Carolina, men differing,
it may be, in many particulars, but agreeing
in regard to the general features OF the
policy to be pursued, and working diligently
and hopefully for the same end. We can
already see on the edge Of the horizon the
star that heralds the coming day.