The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1882-04-21
THE "INDEPENDENT" COURSE

One day recently the editor of the Ore
gonian published, with his sovereign ap-
proval an article in the Standard on the
newspaper business, which he considers "a
sufficient vindication, from one who pub
fishes a party newspaper, of the independ-
ent course pursued by the Oregonian for
many years past" What one of these sages
uttcrs and the other endorses deserves re-
spectful consideration. The one who pub
fishes the paper professelly Democratic
suggests that his journal is not '.strong, y
because it is Democratic; ''for," says he.
a strong Democratic paper to be established
lin Portland needs cash capital of $50, ,000),
and it would have to be an independent
paper and not a partisan institution, much
less personal organ for some political as
pirant." Let us examine this confession of
faith little more closely. To make a
strong Democratic paper, in Portland, then
requires, first, $50, 900. Second principles of
the independent" or hermaphrodite order,
third the absence of any personal interest
of or for any politicians. And this is what
the Oregonian accepts as good doctrine, and
takes to itself as ''vindication. Can you
not fancy the editor tapping his ample
shirt front, and proudly boasting. Here
am L; my newspaper is 'strong;' I have
more than $4,000; no principles to speak
of; and no political aspirant inspires me:
These requisites make Democratic paper
strong; they have made me strong" Here
is one honest man ut any rate, who has the
courage of OF his opinions. Stop though
for moment; in what does this 'tindepen-
dence" consist! Well we all read the Ore
CONAN, so it ought to be possible to answer
such simple question. First, it seems to
us, is independence of any sort of consis-
teney: so. for instance, mob l,.w and Judge
Lynch's courts and penalties are admirable
things in Washington Territory, but sadly
reprehensible in Eastern Oregon. Second,
it is independence of any sense of fairness
In the application of general rules: so, for
instance, the free and open navigation of
open rivers is splendid thing for Oregon:
but open navigation applies only between
The Dalles and the ocean: therefore. get all
you can to spend on the lower Columbia
but starve the Cascade Locks. Third, it is
independence of memory; so, for instance,
one day record without any disapprobation
Mr.. Wizards floating off o. r. & N. bonds
by means Of 100 per cent. of ''watered
stock" and few short months afterwards
hlackguard the Oregon Pacific for issuing
bonds with 80 per cent. of stock. Fourth.
it is independence of the reorganized princi-
pies of the party to which the paper
processes to belsng: so, for instance go rab-
idly for the most ultra free trade, while the
Republican party is consistent for main
tenance of the tariff Fifth, it is indepen-
dence of all common rules of truth and
decency: but here to quote instances fresh
in the memory of us of the "Upper Val
ley," would be to fill the whole side of the
GAZETTE. Sixth, it is independence of all
party subordination, which ought to in
fiuence the editor of a journal, protesting to
hold Republican principles, to keep per-
sonal animosities and bitterness in check, if
the interests of the party demand it. And
here again instances abound. So that on
the general retrospect of the course of the
Oregonian for several years past we find
that the familiar words of the poet apply
in full force "a merciful Providence FASH
ioned us holler. A puppus that we might
our principles swaller."