The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-09-16
JUDGE RRAGAN AND THE PRENS OF
TEXAS.

Judge John FL. Reagan made most SEN
sible and thoughtful speech yesterday, as
admirable as brief. 1t was literal truth as
every journalist of the country, worthy the
name, must confess. The distinguished
gentleman said that "organs" had become
whether set up to promote the aims OF q
party or of clique or ring or any individ-
ual deserved little confidence. The people
presume that these organs are paid for ser
vices rendered, and declarations of policy
and opinion made by an organ are mere
copies of DEGREES issued by their masters,
or by the ring or clique which the organ
represents. Independent journalism does
not involve independence of party, but of
party leaders. Parties we must have.
These must subsist while people
differ in reference to the theory
of the American system of government.
Our theory is that of the original Jefferson
ian Democracy; but inside the party, as
thus defined by this leading principle, the
STATESMAN is the organ of no man or set of
men in or out of Texas. Therefore the sue
cess of the STATESMAN. 1t is denounced
with the utmost bitterness by men who have
been accustomed to have ''organs" do all
their dirty work and serve them with profit
less but unfaltering fidelity. But the peo-
pie approve the very facts and incidents
and pecullarities of journalism which the
whippers-in of the party and oficeholders
are apt to condemn. If the paper be true
to the principles and philosophy of govern
ment in which Democracy consists, the
masses of the people ask no more. Beyond
this they would have fearless independence
and capacity and ooldness to assail any
leader or condemn any act of personal sell
fishness or personal ambition, however great
the idol guilty of the crime or blunder.
The people never questioned the Democracy
of the STATESMAN because it disapproved
the policy of Judge Ireland. The circula-
ton of the STATESMAN still grew apace
but party leaders howled and their hired Or
gans growled and we were formally extru
ded from the Democratic church by an
''organ." 1t was brutum fulnlen in the ears
of the people and independence won popu-
lar confidence. Sensible, intelligent gen.
tlemen, personally attached to Judge Ire,
land and lifelong Democrats differed from
us in opinion, and adhering to the Judge,
were pleased that newspaper had the
courage to tell what it conceived to be the
truth in defiance of the clamor of placemen
and of organ-grinders. Judge Reagan is
| right. An ''organp does not deserv popular
respect or confidence, and cannot secure it.
The fortunes of the STATESMAN in this city,
and throughout the State demonstrate this
fact In truth Democratic newspapers in
Texas having that independence which has
marked our course, as we have earnestly
and honestly sought to shape il, are the
successful newspapers of Texas. 1t would
perhaps be invidious to name them, but re
cent events have made them quite conspic
uous, and illustrate as we'll the truth o.
Judge Reagan's declaration that organs
are undone, and their day is past. Th'
people prefer the unbought, unrestrained
honest, if mistaken, opinions and declara
tions of an untrammeled newspaper press