New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-10-12
soMETHue ABOUT JouRHAI1sM.

. ably read in New Orleans. The Times dis
; scented from two of the arguments, as II
had perfect right to do; but instead o.
debating the matter with the author of the
propositions, and with an eye single to
the discovery of the truth, as it should
, have done, it irrelevantly and impertin
emily diverged into discussion of the
ownership of this paper, and falsely as.
serted that the tax payers of the State
paid for the publication of the speech.
We promptly resented the impertinence
by pointing out its intrusive irrelevance,
and characterized the misrepresentation
by its proper name. And it strikes US
that our answer to its argument upon the
merits of the speech was more than COM
plete, for the Tines has never required to
that subject again, but has consented to
become the mere upholsterer Of the mali
cious suggestion which it made concern
ing the private relations of one of the pro-
prietors Of this paper. As these three
points have been disposed Of, therefore, to
our entire satisfaction, there is a little
time left on our hands to examine into
the matter of general interest that
stands connected with the entire case.
The Times ass umes theoretically that
because public man holds an interest,
say controlling interest for the sake Of
the argument, in a newspaper, he is,
therefore, to be fattered and upheld
without any regard to truth, justice or
sound sense. His errors are to be ap-
proved, his faults are to be construed into
virtues, his frauds CLOSED over and con-
doned as unavoidable accidents. In fact,
the organ of reason, which newspaper
should be, is degraded into a mere white
washing machine, going about daily,
covering up defects and making itself
contemplate as the instrument for con-
cealing those things which others are
constantly dragging to light. This is the
level which the Times has constructed for
an organ, and that it finished its work
with conscientious belief in the correct
ness Of its design we think the public
will fully assume, if it will take the
trouble to read again the record which we
made up against that newspaper on Tues
day morning.
The REPUBLICAN holds to q different
for its own guidance in these
matters. The newspaper is, or ought to
be, the organ Of truth and reason, both
for its own and for the sake of its con-
trolling influence. Its design should be
to correct the mistakes, whether ioter-
tional or unintentional, of its friends, for
The simple reason that mistakes are fatal
10 the best interests Of men alike in phi
rate or public life. Its duty should be at
Ill times to maintain and uphold the
light, for in the course of time the right
must vindicate itself All men who vio-
ate morality, or who stray away from the
inc of principle, are sure to discover
heir error at some time, and to deplore
t. In the pursual of this line Of policy
he REPUBLICAN has probably been more
Independent in its attitude than the
Times, for it had a greater stake than the
Times. A great and successful party
ooked to us for counsel and support, {
nd it has fallen to our lot at times to
iffer with our own friends, and to ex-
ose their errors. The rectitude of the ,
republican party was necessary to our |
wn well being, and while it is always b
angerous to differ with others, it some- u
mes becomes the highest duty to do this $
cry thing, and not only to do it, but to a
iffer SO strongly as to arrest the impend- r
lg mischief. If We have commended in :.
lis fashion, as We say we have, the as -
'rtion that our independence has out =,
lone that Of the Times is not vain n
but solemn truth. ia
What is an indie: endent paper that it
lould dare to compete for enlinence with 8,
party organ, contending with its own b.
'rty for the right? The Times is the i
hiffet of the winds. Its columns have IN
en- as many sided as the blazing front -
the Kohinoor. The prejudice or pas =,
IN of the hour was and is its master and -,
ntrolling influence. Public opinion is II
terested in its conduct as owner and it.
rector. 1t takes up and lets fall this W
d that subject in obedience to the slI
prices of the multitude, upon whom it m
Ponds for support There is no moral XII
or independence about it other than Gu
It independence or morality which be- 81
lgs to the impulses of the masses, and w.
ich changes as the clouds change. NJ,
e only virtue there is in the Times is, eli
t it echoes the party organ after the it,
ut has been won, and the great truth
Heated to the benefit Of the people. pr
d as an evidence that We tell the simple bu
tn, let the people remember that the cr'
mes has only reached and accepted, 0''
hin the last year, the great truths -.
lch the REPUBLICAN proclaimed three 49,
rs ago, in the face OF danger, and at the ora
il of great loss. an,
because individuals own stock in a fac
'spaper is no reason why the law should 'se
changed. Public journals are like AM
if unreliable and unprinci- an.
4. They are incapable of rendering TIE
stance to their friends if they have lost
confidence of the public; and when
= are no longer powerful, it is a waste