New-York tribune., 1872-01-31
DRIFT or POLITICAL DISCUSSION
$ FREEDOM OF THE PRESS COMPATIBLE W.T.
FEALTY TO A PARTY !

FEALTY TO A PARTY
From Thr 1reH0n (N. Jl S>ntint
This is no new question, and yet 1t has re-
Gently mp in shape which which makes its discus
sion admissible. Our opinion always has beeD and IL.
that freedom of the press aud eav party by no
means incompatible; but that the contrary, journal
which claims and exercises the greatest freedom In the
expression of its views. IL the which exercise.
and does exercise, the greatest amount Of influence IN
favor of the party to which IL processes allegiance Let
I've Understood that journal is hut mere re-
corder OF opinions previously formed by others-wheher
OF cliques, rings or conventions; That 10 has no opinions
OF its own, and dare express none which may, by any
possibility, clash with the thoughts or acts of members
OF partyhOweyer erroneous or corruptnR theSe
thoughts acts may be; that IFS principal, II not its
only business. il to curse It's political opponents and
praise its blmeleSs the one
culpablc the otherand from that hour such journal
has and ought not to have any influence with honest
The immediate occasion for these reflections arises
ins fnS upon pos the becau.e in the
erce OF freedom Tor which It has oG eeen ~ Ss ba
of public opinion and demand Judgment against them
for no & ss nan Sr SG or h saY hat s mnrpSy
and his associates are Republicans THE TRIBUNE as
Republican journal has no right condemn their acts
for in doing it virtually condemns the party of which
they are members. Another occasion tor these rctec
tons arse from the fact that a certain Republican State
Seuator-not a thousand miles oh-has recently taken
recession TO speak against The Senf'nef, because H.
ike The TEIBUSE, has dared. IN times past, to
denim certain Republicans for acts done. and words
snoken which in the Judgment OF The Sentinel were
contrary the principles and best interests Of the Re
publican artyaIl OF which, IN the opinion Of thus Sen
Tor shows lack of party fcalty We do not subscribe
10 any such doctrine, will THE TRIBUNE. Thc sentinel
or any journal having spark o freedom or seHespect
submit To political Osiracsm for such cause We are
Republican principle and not because OF love or hate
10 certain So far ~ individual members or
a party do right, commend their acts wherein they
do wrong we cOndemn--always prcfCrrIng 10 commend
than TO cOndemnand in doing We not only have the
example OF THE TRIBU aud other journals OF equal in
dependence and influence but have the great body Of
Republican voters with MS, 10 whom we aro ready
10 refer the question for final discussion when
ever our opponents compel us to the issue Mean
while We are not TO he driven from our indepon
drnce nor from Republicanism by Senator or any
A. In The ssnfineI and It's friends from
the Republican party either by unfair treatment or de-
nupcistions because OF it, Independence the man don't
live who vii see il do it. We helped to make the
party-were one Of five first start the movement IN one
6f The States OF the nOnand will be OF the last hye TO
leave it, II the battle the freedom Of the press IL 10
la ou Qht again in SewJerscy, We prefer 10 hght
within than without the ranks and greatly prefer the
woadsWOrd and battlC-aX to the settO with our great
cheftain Grant, we say Let us have peace Dut II
cace can only be the expense OF liberty and se
abasrment both of ourselves and our friends, thon we
av LET us have war land TO the knife ana tho KNIFE
fo the hilt" ;" that II may he the sooner ended.