New-York tribune., 1875-11-26


TRIBUNE, and all men knew the position Of
The TRIBUNE simply from knowing what
party had done in the way of platform aud
candidates. these watchful persons would hnd
half their occupation gone. AS 1t is,
| they sit in innumerable dusty corners,
with ouils over their ears, and read
The TRIBUNE industriously-we give them
credit for that-in order to give their readers
early information as 10 what they believe HE
TRIBUNE il doing and what for. They know
that there is no subject so interesting to tho
average American reader, and so they devote
to it two OF three paragraphs week with an
occasional heavy leader. There are several pa
pers, some of them owned by POstmasters,
who hire red-ln0uthed adventurers to spatter
them over with phrases, which never let day
pass without giving their readers. something
fresh and spicy about THE TRIBUNE, It's pur-
poses, its motives, and its future. Without 1t
there would be nothing to relieve the dreary
dullness of their columns, and we are upon
the whole gratfed at beng able at 50 little
cost to furnish so much entertainment.
There is scarcely any more charming specta-
Gle than that of the organic editor or the
constitutional Office -holder-who divides man.
there can be an intelligent being who does
not "beongn to one or the Other-reading
THE TRIBUNE and interpreting its attitude
toward parties and politicians He reads an
article on frauds in the Indian Department
and says, "LOOk at that now. See how 1t
"attacks the Republican Party. 1t has got
"tO be regular Democratic newspaper"
Next day he reads some commenda-
ton of - Department officer who has
set on foot a reform, and he says, "IHE
"TRIBUNE is coming round. 1t wants to get
"back into the party" Then he reads an
article approving Gov. Tildens reform admin
istratiOn or criticism of the coalition which
elected MOrrissey, and bursts out with, It's
"Tammany organ; sold out to Tammany."
In the late campaign he found The TfIBUNE
advocating the success OF the Republican
tickets in Ohio and PENNSYLVANIA and the
Democratic State ticket in New-Iork, and he
was confused. He could not account for it, so
he looked wise and winked, and quoted what
ever favored his own and criticised the opposite
party as from "Democratic' authority and
what "even The TRIBUNE" was competed
"to admit Two or three times we have
found them ponderng over paragraph which
"turn to the fold" rs they call it, and seri-
ousy discussing whether upon the whole it
was best to let us in. Sometimes they take it
upon themselves to announce change OF pol
lev and sometimes q change of management;
sometimes there are signs OF one thing and
sometimes Of another; always signs OF SOME
thing, and they never tire of studying them
and writing out elaborate and profound inter-
pretations of them We do not doubt that 1T
is all very edifying to the general public. If
il were not, these able journalists would cease
doing it. Perhaps by and by they Will begin
70 apprchcnd the fact that there are men with
brains in their heads and votes in their hands
who do sincerely desire good government and
honest administration more than the success OF
either party; that they are az ready to applaud
one ms the other for a good action, ana as
ready to condemn one as the other Tor bad
ones. When that is apprchendcd, they will
cease 10 wonder and be veXed over indcpend-
ent journalism or independent voting.
We are glad to know that many Admin
istration editors throughout the country are
reading TIE TRIBUNE with such anxious in
terest. and we are always pleased TO learn
from them its plans and prospects, and the
motive5 which govern its conduct. We rccOS-
pize and acknowledge their friendly interest
in IL. and we can we'll understand how the
question whether they should permit The
TrIBuNE TO "return TO the fold " should be
cravely debated 10y men who have so large
responsibility for the party. And yet it occurs
to us-wc suggest it with great modesty-that
perhaps they might occupy their minds with
something more in the nature Of live issue.