New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-08-18
pDJTORS md THETR PARTIES.

ing to shield Mr.. A. II. Stephens from i's
charge of bad taste in signing his articles IN Il
public journal whereof he is co-Editor. we
had not thought of this lpoint at all. There
are circumstances under which writer may
properly authenticate an article by his sigma
ture but generally we regard tins as need
less. And yet, we believe the reading pubic
would prefer to know who is the writer OF
each article which aims to correct or modify
lila convictions. Nor can we realize that tlliS
desire is unnatural or impertinent.
The World proceeds to argue that, II tne
Editor uniformly expresses IN his articles MS
personal convictions There is no reason why
he should not he held personally responsible
therefor Certainly not. And yet it seems to
us more consistent with the propreties ana
courtesics of discussion TO speak OF what Is
affirmed by The Times, The World, OF me
Ereninq Post than to look behind these
Journals and indicate the person who wrote
the article or articles in question, especially
where he has not chosen to indicate himself.
But what we have resented as "Impcrtlnence'
in The World and its imitators is not the mere
dragging into criticism or replication OF the
name of the presumed writer of an article
published anonymously. 1t IL the perpetual
discussion of his boots, his hat, or his panta-
looms, instead of his arguments. For 1t must
be evident to the rational mind that hole
worn or torn in one of his garments, even II
yeritable. would not necessarily imply mis-
take in his premises or flaw in his logic
We use the word impertinencc" in this con
pcction according to its literal import, though
it may well be applicable also in the accom-
modated sense obviously contemplated by me
World
That journal reyises and refnes its state
mcnt of the position of those editors who
habiiually set forth, not their personal cOnvic-
tons. but the views that they understand to
be held or propoundcd by the chiefs of their
party, as follows:
An editor is undoubtedly degraded IL he scryilely
follows other peoples judgmcnts but II Is mere sell
conce to pay Difference to the opinions OF wee men,
II his views make no impression on such men, he may
pcct that they or that the
public mind IL yet ripe to receive them. There VIII
lie many executions this Difference Of which he must
Judge; as indeed must habtually, in hundreds OF In
stances act his judgment. both from the mpos-
bty consultation and the absence OF any felt heeh oil
it, But upon all great occasions and especially III pro
posed changes Of party policy an editor Is proodpy
wrong il he find other Judgment to coincide win
his Politics from us Is
and as large bodies of men never think exactly alike
potical action and political journalism cooperating
views aud Of the pride OF personal opinion
Comments by The Tribune.
wise man, in making up his own judg-
ment on matter which divides opinion, will
always consider and weigh well the views OF
other wise men, and especially of those who
have enjoyed superior advantages for attain
ing correct conclusions. But after hearing
and needing these, he will necessarily mature
his own conviction; and it is this which he
should express whenever he says eve" be-
lieve so and 50. If the Judgment of ma
iority of the able men of his party differs
from his, let him also state their view if he
will, and ask his readers to give it due weight;
but let him not state as his own conviction
anything which is not; for that would be to
misead and deceive his readers Such, at all
events, is the idea of TIE TRIBUNE.
But let us 'hear The Worlds closing illus
tratiOn
at il but few days since the Editor of THE TRIBUNE
stated that he is opposed TO the denomination Of Gen
Grant; but he declared in the article that he will
zealosy support Grant against his own Judgment II the
Republican Convention dominates him. viii THE
TRIBUNE that contingency, merely reflect the personal
views of Mr. Greeley will it be organ OF the Repub-
can partyi He has too recently promised TO surrender
his own decided views and make THE TRIBUNE Grant
organ in submission to party behoSt, to put on these
airs Of pharisec aud puTs aud yaunt bis independence
OF party traminels.'
Answer by The Tribune
The personal views of Mr.. Greeley" on this
point are exactly these: He favors the One
Term principle, aud believes that another Re-
.Iotn for ont ha
lected who will encounter less opposition and
win more support than Gen. Grant; and he
therefore advocates such selection. But, should
his views be overruled and Gen. Grant nomi-
mated, he holds his election infinitely preferable
to that of any candidate whom the Democrats
may nominate; for Democratic triumph in
wolves the return to power OF the great mass
of those who for years plotted the disruption
of our Union and at length forced the
Southern States into secession and re-
bellion contrary to the wishes and
the judgment of a decided majority of
their people A Democratic triumph involves
the ascendency of those who hate the Nations
creditors because their money powerfully con-
tributed to the overthrow of the Rebellion,
and will find way to cheat them if possible.
Democratic triumph involves the subversion
OF Protection to our Home Industry, with
repetition of the widespread disasters and
distresses which have repeatedly and natu-
rally followed such overthrow The "per
sonal views Of Mr.. Greeley" impel him to
deprecate Democratic National triumph as
one OF the gravest of National calamities; and
this is his main reason for wishing the selec
ton OF a Republican candidate for President
who will be more certain of success than Gen.
Grant
We have no confirmation of the intended