Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1874-09-01
INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM.

INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM.
The Virginia Enterprise is very irate al
the journals of this State who refuse to
be bound by party shackles, but dare to
espouse that which they consider right,
because of the possession Of that quality.
rather than abide by tbs dicta Of either
parties or persons. In its issue 0. the
2Sth, it alludes to the Reveille placing
the PIocHE RECORD in this liberal cate
CORY. We say to the Enterprise, never
mind where the Reveille or any other
paper places the RECORD; but look into
the pages Of the latter for definition OF
its position upon all matters, whether
concerning men or things. The RECORD
is neutral in nothing but is independ-
ent in all 1t will not accept as conclu-
sive the decision or directions of any
party or partizans. 1t claims for itself,
and will not only claim, but exercise the
right Of free and unbiased criticism of
the course of all parties and Of the men
who are the leaders or representatives of
those parties. 1t will not say anything is
right simply because it is asserted by
either the Democracy or Republicans; but
If the matter at Issue appears to be right,
apart from all party considerations. it
will cheerfully, theoretically and readily
indorse it. SO with candidates. The
RECORD will in every case support the
man that it believes will render the tru-
est and most efficient service to the peo-
pie, without stopping to inquire or car
ing whether he is Republican or q
Democrat, or belongs to any other party.
This entirely free and unfettered posi-
tion toward men and parties will, it is
believed, enable the RECORD to be of far
more service to the community from
whom it draws its support than any
mere partizan journal that would be
forced to swallow and support all that
the party might do with whom it affiili-
ates, and also to deprecate and oppose
the opposite side, no matter whether
it was right or wrong. This is posi-
ton that the RECORD does not care
to occupy, for the reason that by doing
SO its usefulness would be much i'm.
paired, because all it advocated or
opposed would be distorted and dis
figured by party coloring. OF the truth
OF the latter proposition, no more pertin-
ent example could be afforded than by
the Enterprise itself. Not day passes
but portion of its columns is devoted
to inflame the passions of the members
of the party it supports by appeals to
their worst prejudices, with statements
laudatory of its own side, in which the
elements of truth and reason are greatly,
and sometimes altogether, lacking. OF
course that kind of matter may suit a
rabid partizan, who is governed rather
by his passion than by his reason, but
will carry no weight with a calm and
dispassionate inquirer into the actua'
condition Of affairs. The Enterprise, as
Republican organ, is probably M
worse than paper published on tn
opposite side would be, neither, however
could be relied upon as guides. Th,
truth lies between them, or it may b,
that some times it is altogether on on,
side or altogether on the other. Any
way, they are both sure to be wrong, ant
knowingly SO at times, because the ex
igencies of their positions do not admi,
of any other course. For these reasons
then the RECORD declares its independ
ence. 1t recognizes no tie, no duty, M
claim but that of supporting the mer
and measures that it believes will pro
mote the best interests of the oommunit,
wherein it is published and the Stat'
and country at large. OF course thu
RECORD, like every other human institu
ton, will err and perhaps take issu'
with that which will turn out to be tn,
better course. That will simply be al
error of judgment, not of intention. I
will, however, have this advantage of {
strictly partizan journal: that while, with
the latter, such mistakes must inevitably
occur and be adhered to, an Independent
journal may steer clear Of such errors
or if fallen into, they can be speedil,
eliminated and rectified.