The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-11-09
Honor where Due-The Press

Wn sbouid not omit 10 give Tue pioPN'
credit to the independent press for tue very
erea, service they have rendered in he'plus
fo bring about the grand revolution when
promises so many blessings to our ohion'
The Republican party, great trauo upon
the country, has been kept silve-as Is "
dying patient by stimulants--on "so''he' y
ou,races," made up mainly in Washington.
The refined, Intelligent, and generous "hise
naon,e of the South were sandered aud VIII
fed they were hunted and prosecuted; ana
the negro was put over tbem--atl that Inc
neop,e Of the North might be preJud'eed ana
fred against them, and that the Republicans
might be kept In office, continue their mis-
rule, prolong their corruption anu frauds'
and tatteu UPON tue woes and sUfferings OF
the people.
II, was in vain that the southern newspa'
pers protested that the so called outrages
were false, and that all the statements going
to show iactious opposition to the Govern
nlcnt in the South. or deliberate cruelty 10
negroes, were utterly unfounded. Those pa
pers were not credited ut the North; north
ern PAPERS were not inclined to believe
them, and did not copy what they sad, that
the people might see it. So we were With
out the means Of vindicatiop. Even the
congressman from the South were at the
beginning, through negro and scalawaS
votes, so nearly exclusively the tools and
,uinisns of power that they did not raise
their voice in the defence Of southern
pcople. but sustained the ialseho0ds about
them through silence or by endorsing them.
But the Independent press came to our
aid, and spread the truth before the north-
ern people. They sent to the South able,
Industrious, and reliable correspondents,
who gathered up the facts and published
them. Thus presented. the northern people
believed them; and thus were exposed TO
those people the great wrongs the South
suffered through those wretched invaders
whom Mr. GREELEY styled thieves" F.; and
they beheid their bideouS characters, and
were shocked that they were bolstered up
by the Federal Administration and the laws
o. Congress, made not for The public good,
but merely to keepin power the Republican
party. The disgust thus excited every
where at the North has caused powerful
reyulson Of feeling against the the Repub-
lcan party and Administration. People Of
the North reasoned with themselves thus:
s.If the Federal Government can tyranize
"over the southern States in this unsclupu-
/" lOus and barbarouS manner, why may 1t
"not some day rule those Of the North in
deemed that they were protecting their own
States as we'll as the southern in rising
against the vile party which thus oppressed
Us.
For the valuable Information which
wrought this good effect we are especially
indebted TO those great papers the TRIBUNE,
HERALD and TINES, of New York. Their
letters and their editorials were fair and in
telligent, and told powerfully. We should
particulariZe the TINES as occupying an en-
barrassing position. 1t was Republican
organ, aud of course desired not to iDjure
the Republican party. But it sought the
truth, and became convinced that the south
ern policy Of the Republican party was very
defective. 1t said so. 1t warned its party
of the necessity Of reforming that policy
TO but little purpose. 1t continued 10 spread
the truth about the South. IL continued to
wlrn the Government, aud now it does not
fail t. tell that The recent. Republican disaS-
ters have come from faults in the Republ.
can policy.
But the Independent press in all northern
sections have not failed to help the cause of
truth and justice to greatly suffering and
miSgoverned section OF the Union. We may
mention the SPRINGFIELD (Mass.) RLrUBLI-
CAN, the CINCINNATI COMMERCIAL, the CHI
CAGo TINES, etc, etc. TO these leading
presses, and many Others, the people Of the
South may indeed be grateful for their fair
ness, and for their enterprise in spreading
before the world such u vast number OF
facts as to expose the insidiouS and vicious
measures of the Republican party which
would have been covered by falsehood but
for tue exposure.
1t is blessing to this great country that
there is powerful press in it which does
not depend upon Government favor for sup
port. The patronage Of the people makes
that press not only independent Of the Go.
yernment, but powerful enough to inspire
in the Government wholesome fear, and TO
restrain it from measures TO promote selfish.
ness and greed at the expense Of the people
This is indeed a blessing to the Republic.
The power of the press is greater than
ever before and when we see the danger TO
be apprehended from POWER we at once ap.
preciate the popular advantage of having a
press so powerful that it puts a check upon
corruption and tyranny.
----------------"
Democratic Prudence.
Everybody grows wise, and freely give;
that which costs nothing to the Democratic