The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-05-30
1NpBpBNpENT JOURNALISM.

cannot DC shl NOT wv oltVh' W. "S"'"
have some thoughts to advance. The Me-
Kinney Advocate, ono of our most priced
exchanges, a paper that we not only welcome
cordially to our table, but that we always
pcruse with delight, has, in its issue of the
18th inst, An editorial on this subject where
in, we think, it shows Misrepresentation, or
rather misappro ;iaton Of what indopend-
ent Journalism is. Its conception of the in
dependent newspaper we consider TO be en-
tirely erroneous, not to say unjust. The
New York Herald, of Il late date, has short
article on tho same subject, which we pub
lish elsewhere, that we heartily endorse.
There is u wide difference be-
tween the views Of our cotemporary,
the Advocate, and the Herald, and
we must ask to be permitted TO say
greatly to the detriment OF the Advocate 50
far us correct idea Of what Independence
in a newspaper consists, We publish what
the New York Herald says, and We will crit
ically, fairly aud impartially review what
tho Advocate says. In the outset, we will
state that We think the Advocate defines
independent" to mean "mercanary." 1t
contounds the two words. At least this is
our impression from careful pcrusal Of its
editorial, Itsays; "Principlcs, not money,
should control the course of the press. In
this country is the bounden duty Of every
citizen to ospouso and support those princl-
pies which he deems most conducive to the
happiness OF the entire people, ana will
pcrpetuato our free institutions. The
political parties Of the country are controlled
by the principles set forth IN their platforms"
We end rso most heartily tho idea that
principles, not money, should control the
course Of the press" The genuine iudepen
dent newspaper is always controlled by
principle, and by nothing else. 1t is the
principle of right and justice and truth that
guides and directs it, 1t holds itself
above tho mistakes or ujudicous acts
and comuptons Of any and MI political par
ties that assume to support partisan paper,
1t will not advocate this measure or defend
that action simply because this or that party
may do SO. 1t is in this sort Of Independence
that il makes itself useful and creates power
for good in tho influence that it yields. II
gives utterance only to its own honest con
yiotions that all the people may judge for
themselves and refuse to DO tIaMmeled by
mere party policy to suppress what should be
given light. Ills but reasonable to suppose
that in this country every citizen responds
and supports those principles that he deems
most conclusive to the happiaos3 Of the entire
people and will perpetuatc our free institu-
TONS If this be true in theoryand in prac-
tice, can any citizen blindly follow the die
tates OF any party when such dictaton con-
ficts with his consciousness and his Judgment?
1t is Just that fidelity to cons ience and
judgment thai the independent newspaper
upholds and maintains, aud Of which it is
the exponent. It's true that "the political
parties are controlled by the principles set
forth in their platforms" as the Advocate
says, but suppose platform contains prn-
ciples, or advocates methods which citizen
ora newspaper cannot without stultifying
conscience, endorse? Must such citizen or
newspapc radvocato and support them never
thelcss because the party, or the major part