The teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1876-1878, 1876-11-18

ty " % intricate, complicated and msnifol
in its branches, as to seem to embrac
within its folds almost every citizen With
the Union. It IL certain that at the poll
the great mass array thepselves on the on
side or the other a. Democrats or Republi
cans, in the support Of the candidates nom
mated by their respective parry conven
tons, while only comparatively few vot
independently for other men. So mucl
accustomed have the people become to thi
habit that many are led to believe tha
fealty 10 party ia paramount to fealty t,
country, or that the couniry can only b.
secure through the partisan machinery
that is set in motion by The respective par
ties to which each is attached.
Imbued With the spirit of this false the
ory, many become censorious and proscrip-
tive towards such as do not 10 all respects
obey the behests of party, and oftentimes
attempt to compel mea to avow an allegi-
ance to party, whether they will or moi.
Such psrtisans are very dull Of comprebeu-
sion Of what belongs 10 public journalism.
They think that newspaper is bound to
declare lis partisan preferences and fealty
and when ooce it has so declared, it must
uphold and support through its columns
every principle, plan and meas which a
district convection Of that pa.,y or which
some prominent members OF that party
might adopt and promulgate, regardless of
its truth EST priuciple or good policy as a
measure. If petty convention or the
members Of a party as such furnish all the
means Of support to q newspaper and con
find the willing and subservieot tool ready
to coutrsct 10 do their bidding, they then
have some right to claims fulfilment of
the contract, however humil'sting it may
sometimes become to such a journalist.
But until the above conditions take place,
every editor and publisher 0: q newspaper
is and should be supposed 10 be free to
speak Independently -upon all questions,
whether they relate to principles, measures
or men, and every man who calls in ques-
ton that right of journa list hereby shows
himself grossly ignorant Of the laws which
govern and protect the press Of the country.
4 II journal abuses its rights 10 this re-
spect it will be quite sure to answer for
that. abuse ttbe bar Of public opinion and |
receive she condemnation It'd temerity has
won for its abuse. 'H Pc g "a- 1
We believe the country needs an indie
pendent press, that partisan journals are
far too much 10 the extreme 10 their sup
port Of partisan principles, measures and
men, and TOO blind in relation to The reel
welfare ofthe country. We have only TO
cite the declarations Of the psrtissu press
throughout the Uni ed States made during
the late canvass for President, in support
Of our belief. But there 10 another great
error which some have imbibed as to what
an Independent press. Some
imagine that ifa newspaper be not partisan,
i must Of necessity be silent on poli,ical
measures, aud men. Nothing
IAN be farther from tho truth, there. is not
question Of partisan policy. nor mess
ire they may adopt, nor man they may
ut forward for the uffrsges Of the people,
bout which or whom 40 independent pa
YER may not speak freely without doing vi.
Hence to it's character as en- independent
ournal. Bat ID 50 doing it will mol speak
rom q partisan standpoint. It's tests of {
worth, expediency, propriety and efficiency j
will not be partisan tests, but they will be ,
uch as The whole people may approve who :.
rave the veal Of the country more at heart
han party success. A newspaper ostensi. {
'iy devoted "a the general interests Of the '
oun'rv which can remain silent when po- {
i,ical evils and abuses are abundant and
revaieat all around it, never can justly
lain to be independent. It more properly
elongs to the neu:er gender and its pro- l
cny, like all other neuters will be mir. q
The independent press is the one above c
II others, that the people should 4
,aiutau and uphold if they would avert y
he evils and co @rupiion of parties in power
r pur.ies out of power and seeking RI cui, c