New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-03-22
VOICES OF FRIENDS.
LETTERS OF CONCENTRATION.

an independent newspaper.
THE TRIBUNE AND INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM.
To ne EdftOr Of The Trtbuns.
SIR: IL il now nearly half a year sinoe Mr..
Greeley day after the last presidential election
wrote that famous editorial pledgng THE TRIBUNE to
impartial and independent journalism have watched
its career time with great deal Of feeling and
anxiety have several times been tempted to hurry up
with my addition the Voices Of Friends" which nave
been given 20 you generously; but then kno" thc
truth Of the old saying that new broom sweeps clean
aud determined walt and sec 1t would continue 30
10 sweep Ihave waited and feel like saying that 1t
most thoroughly seems wear" and not TO wear out
az all 1t continues to sweep clean when 1rst new
Tux TRIBUNE Is now my ideal OF newspaper. NOT
that agree with its positions and reasonngs on all sub
jects | do not; but think its fairness. candor, de-
corum dignity and independence are all that can De de-
sired In "A newspaper. regard t IA tho best newspaper
now published in the English language; and have, at
one time or another and read nearly every leading
one that Is published. feel In reading 10, that can
rely its reasOnings and statements OF iaet Dehg OK
actly what editors believe TO be correct and true
think know something of what an independent
Journal ought to be- and little something OF the DIM
culties in the way of making t. large mass OF the
reading public-perhaps largo maority-wil not buy
and support such a journal Every one knows II u
common saying the mass Of common readers that
the newspapers are oil ars-that every one - vena,
and will lie either sustain its party or on being pid
for 1t. And remember having controversy on ths
point many years ago with an old uncle. He insisted
that no newspaper would tell the truth, and disputed
him yehemently aud In the heat OF the dispute asked
him. with good deal OF sneering triumph in my tone
"wcll, then, uncle II every paper Is liar, why do
you take The Chr0HicleW
Because IL lies to suit me-" was his quick reoinder'
And uncle told truth than he thought or meant In
his then necessity for something to sustain his position
1t lies 10 il the guiding feeling with TOO many
fla .pl
tive on this matter because know what IS to make an
independent country political weekly, whore had to
depend for support on those who differed from me IN
opinion. was educated Democrat, but was early con
yerted into an Aboitonst. and IN the counties lived
in was the first to start both the Free Soil and Repub
parties.
But in 1885, began to feel that could not any longer
be what il called and known a party organ " that
wanted 20 make and sell my paper on its individual
merits held that making a newspaper was an indi-
ydua enterprise like making boots or coats or wagons,
or anything else that is needed in civilized fe save that
in the editors capacity OF a public ohronicer and
teacher he must necessarily assume the character Of
the public guardian than other individual
called on to do any private calling aud that he must
all the more so conduct himself to be worthy of the
character his calling made t necessary to assume and
determined to try what success there could be Ill
making paper it's own individual merits,
| published the paper in strong Republican
eral other Republican papers published in the
county. And it happened that before the caucus
SEES were held that year. suggested the OF three
persons who afterward nominated and elected for
Clerk Sheriff. and Treasurer When the lst of January
1851 came round, and the new county administration
was sworn into Office, they we're met with my New
Years declaration Of independence. stated that 1
was az thoroughly antSlavery man ever before,
aud that Texpeced to support the Republican party,
but that shond hold myself at liberty TO crcse that
party Just as freely any other, when deemed: 1t
wrong. and that no longer could be counted on as
party "organ," and gave notice 10 the Admins
tratiOn that they had party claim on me- and that
had none on them-that far the county printing
was concerned would like TO have IT, and If it was
given OF publicity, it would come 10 me.
mad larger circulation than all others cOmbned but
that claimed nothing on the score OF party or as
matter OF right all asked Tor was To DC treated on my
Well the result was a little fury All the party poll
tcians-and mean by politicians all who try to get a
living by pOlitics-denOunced me az once renegade
who had gone over to the "Democrats." and who had
abandoned the Republican party and The Clerk,
Sheriff. and Treasurer whom had been chiefly notru-
mental in getting nominated and elected, at once re-
solved that should have none Of the county patronage
and accordingly they all the advertising and print
the OF the county excepting that the sheriff could
not times carry his advertising there aud then he
And ali the .politicians7 OF the county town where my
paper was published made point Of button-holing
every OF the party who came TO town. to induce the
withdrawal Of subscription from and give it 20 some
paper true to the party Tho fight became severe one
and happened TO meet all the county officers at
time the Courthouse and then and there told them IL
should be square standup night, and We should see
who would win told them that corner lot spec
uat0r, every whsky-saoon Keeper aud every ono who
tried make living out of politics would Of course be
their side but that felt that every one who earned
living by honest work would DO ON my side, and
challenged them To do their worst.
Notwithstanding that TO me 1t was matter OF bread
and butter, well as matter OF pride aud principle. IL
really amusing TO watch the light For the space OF
SIX to nine months or year. had the consolation OF
knowing that supported both the papers OF the county
friends supported me they believed right
and liked the paper; while my enemies supported the
Democratic paper not for love OF that paper but TO
spite Previously the light, there had been slight
Overtures made to TO buy out that concern but sud
the hue aud cry against me- Ii never hourscd so
fore Its subscriptions than doubled, did also
IT legal advertising. Everything seemed To 20 lovingly
against me. so far they could IL. But did not
back made truly Independent individual paper
cry. And IN the end IL told The next year. the
Dmocratie paper died ont and lts Subscription book
was turned TO me, and the fight was over; the
party managers concluded II did not pay to continue the
warfare or course this was petty and insignificant
affair as compared with great institution like metro
politan daily newspaper; but the same principle was
fore have watched with than common interest
you would continue TO maintain the high
election and am abundantly satisfied you making
just such paper as have long wished TO see made
You have done infinitely more than did or attempted
TO do You have made TIE TRIBUNE impersonal well
as independents thug never before attempted.
itself nS sn engine to Itself and the
OF It's editors from any and all asPerson but you have
entirely abured such course. When you refused to
do this leaf turned in journalism. aud better
aud brighter page was presented TO view. How few
there who fully to appreciate the great truth
and prOpriety involved In this cOnrse.
Please accept my most congratulations the
hold out as You have begun BY this it must not be IN
ferred that indorse all tho theories of THE TRIBUNE.
have seen less 10 differ from than used 10 see but
expect 10 ind much in IL 10 oppose what am 10
pleased with its fairness candor impersonality, and
Independence. do by this 10 reflect much
the past conduct OF THE TRIBUNE. L have been "a
OF April, ls4i. and | have always been edi-
lied and interested by IL. At times, il Is
true have been sorely grleyed by it, and even indig
huttI has hoo yhanI