The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-03
sELF-REspEorING INDEpENDENcE.
The Position of Party Paper Above that
of a Mere Personal Organ.

Chicago Herald. --.l Hntu
In announcing its new departure the Indianap-
oils Journal catches the true spirit of the times.
1t will no longer be subservient party organ,
the mere mouthpiece OF place-holders and place.
hunters Generally stalwart Republican jour
nal its sympathies will continue with that
party, but it will enter upon an independent and
self-respecting course-a course in which it can
command sympathy and support 1t says, de-
claring its emancipation: Municipal govern
ment is the great problem of the day, and no
newspaper, standing for the people, can afford to
permit abuses to continue because, perchance,
they may intrench themselves behind
party Notifications. The tendency of
the times is away from this style of journalism,
and the journal will, for itself assert the right
to criticise fearlessly and condemn unsparingly
whatever is believed to be inimeal to the ma
terial prosperity of the city and county, in which
Democrats are alike interested with Republicans
This is the true position for a journal which
would deserve the support and respect of the
great body of the people, who are honest and
respectable citizens before all things In cities,
especially in cities of the size of Chicago, party
machinery has fallen almost wholly into the
hands of self-seekers of the poorest class con-
sidered with reference to the public good.
The election in Chicago last fall was an ex-
ample of this decadence, which has been
gradual and well-nigh complete. Yet
so strong was the hold of tradition upon the
merely party organs that they sacrificed their
sense of sef-respect and the true interest of the
public, and without further questioning sup
ported u1e UleheUS pldceu III Jue uelu, feSdfUleSS
of the character, capacity antecedents of NOM
inees The age is too intelligent to be deceived
by mere party cries 1t breaks down the thin
walls of the whited sepulcher, and discerns the
corruption within. 1t will not now be cajoled,
or bullied or bought to give hearty and unques-
tioning support to the dictates of party caucus
in which it no longer has a controlling voice. and
the newspaper which knowingly lends its aid to
the furtherance of the schemes of mere freeboot-
ers in politics. because they appear with the sig
net of party, loses-as it deserves to lose-the
public confidence and respect.
Party ties are not without certain potency Of
habit or prejudice or sentiment, or conviction,
but their power is not nearly so great as gener
alton ago. because no real living issue, unless an
economic issue be made, divides the parties
now as in the days of slavery and secession. The
party label is nothing. individual honesty and
character is everything. The journal that be-
comes the mere mouthpiece Of scheming organ
izers of any party designation prostitutes itself
and becomes the enemy of the community
whence it draws its support.
The Journal is to be congratulated onits whole
some departure The duty of newspaper is to
report the truth so far it can ascertain the
truth; to prove all things and hold fast to that
which is good to repudiate reject that which
is evil, come in what guise it may.