The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1875-06-29


ele on Independent papers from the
Woods6eld Spirit Much Of what the
Spirit saysis the simple truth; but the
fact remains that the Independent press,
shch as the Spirit acknowledges some
times exists, is power for great good
The Cincinnati Commercial is not mod
ellof Independent journalism, while there
are such papers as the New York Tfi6-
ttne, the Chicago Tribune, the New York
Post and Springfield Republican to refer
to. Many Of the political journals are
also independent and candid; but their
spirit has not reached the party press Of
the rural districts. We we're right in ma
king special allnsion to the, Spirit for itsi
fairness and candor, and the fact that no
other Democratic exchange which comes
to this office has taken the same view,
shows that candor is rare quality. The
party papers still make it rule to decry
their opponents all through, and seldom
have the manliness to do justice to a po-
ilitical adversary - Barnesville Enter.
PRISE. '''''' ~ '''''8 i'' =
We confess to momentary feeling Of
pique, not that the Enterprise made "spe::
cial allusion to the SPIRIT but because,
as we understood it, the allusion was
made to the rarity Of fairness in the
SPIRIT. This we regarded as doing US an
injustice, against which we feltitour duty
to enter mild protest. z 'a'9i
The independent papers selected as
models by the Enterprise are certainly
not all distinguished for candor. On the
tariff question neither the New York Post
nor Tribune will concede either honesty
or intelligence to its adversaries. The
Chicago Tribune is bitterly malie nant to
ward those who disagree with it on the
currency question. The Springfield Re
publican is better example. But among
those named by the Enterprise not one is
so eminently distinguished for judicial
fairness as. the New York Journal Of
Commerce. aprofessedly party paperd
r. But doing justice to political oppo,
nents is not sufficient evidence Of fairness
and candor- Its one good egg in the
tbasket--nothing more. This]policy may
he pursued from no higher motive thar
Hove Of money. 90 bash Ni'i a&s' 20
IL q
l., A paper may from prudence be reason
] ably just toward political parties, while
meanly and persistently tradueing bust
ness rivals; or while basely assailins
| those who may stand in the way of it
selfish schemes ; or while grossly misrep
resenting some local issue, 1t may affec
/. independence in politics thst it may NOR
I. efficiently aid the designs Of some clfqu
or faction ',-
!. On the whole we doubt, notwithstand
ing the proverbial unfairness of partisan
!. papers, whether in just treatment of thei
, ladversaries, they rank very far belo " th
organs Of moral and religious reforma
;. tons. III 9utb 93g6 ia-ie.t
, u Belo " ianyand all of these, is the elias
! of bushwhackefs which brings reproac
Upon the name Of Independence. With
out commanding the respect Of respecta
D BILE people, they are powerless for good
but can stir into activity evil men an
!, evil passions. Yet these papers usual
!, do their pira,ing under the iinndependen
Gag. ste-.,...ft gef. rs,..a - Ire
i II, we we're to select dozen Of tn
3 most scrupulous and adozen of the mos
i Inscriptions papers within our know
: edge, We would take half the former clas
and wo-thirds Of the latter class frol
4 the professedly independent press"