Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-10-15
SAMUEL BOWLES.
His Work i'm the Cause of Independ.
ent JOurnalism-TheN New York
Press-The sphere of the
journalistic Distinct
Life.

In the October number of the Century
is an article on Independent Journal
ism,' which, although devoted mainly
to historical sketch of the Springfield
Republican and its eminent editor Samuel
Bowles, is nevertheless of interest as
showing the development of political in
dependence IN the newspaper press of
the present day. The article says: "The
time may come when such an attitude
will be taken as a matter of course, and
the term independent journalism will
be like an impartial judiciary the parti-
san journal being considered as abnormal
as partial judge" The Springfield Re-
publican was established by the father of
Sam Bowles as weekly paper in 1924,
two years before the birth of the son who
was to make it famous. When sixteen
years of age, the younger Bowles entered
upon his career as q journalist, the Re
publican was made daily journal, and
at once took leading position. Speak
ing of the beginning OF his work, Mr..
Bowles wrote in the Independent thirty
years later:
American journalism was undergoing
the greatest transformation and expert
encing the deepest inspiration of it's
whole history. The telegraph and the
Mexican war came in together; and the
years '46-'51 were the years of most
marked growth known to America 1t
was something more than progress-it was
revolution. Then the old Sun was in its
best estate; then Mr.. Bennett was in the
prime of his vigorous intellect, and his
enterprise and independence were at the
hight of their audacity. He had as first
lieutenant Mr.. Frederic Hudson. the best
organizer of mere newspaper America
has ever seen. Then Mr.. Greeley and
Mr.. Dana were tremendously and vigor-
ously giving the Tribune that scope of
treatment and that intellectual depth
and breadth which have never departed
wholly from it, and are, perhaps the
greatest gifts that any single journal has
made to the journalism of the country.
Then Mr.. Raymond commenced the
Times and won for it at once promi-
nent place among its rivals"
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
The Republican issued its declaration of
independence in 1855. 1t took occasion
on the enlargement of its sheet to review
its own history and said: s'The indepen-
dent press of the country is fast supplant-
ing the merely partisan press. Parties
are taking their form and substance from
the press and pulpit, rather than the press
and pulpit echoing merely the voice of
the party. A merely party organ is now
a thing despised and condemned and can
never take rank as frst-class public
journal. The London Times, the great
journal of the world, is the creator, not
the creature of parties. There is not in
New York, where journalism in this coun-
try has reached its highest material and
Intellectual perfection, single party organ
in existence. All are emancipated. None
conceal facts lest they injure their
party. None fear to speak the truth lest
they utter treason against merely parti-
san power. The true purpose of the press
is understood and practiced upon. They
are the mirrors of the world of fact and of
thought. Upon that fact do they COM
ment with freedom, and to that thought
do they add its freshest and most earnest
cumulations. Such in its sphere does the
Republican aim to be. Whatever it has
been in the past, no more shall its dis
tinction be that of a partisan organ,
blindly following the will of party, and
stupidity obeying its behests. 1t has it's
principles and purposes. But these are
above mere party success. To these it
will devote itself. Whenever and wher-
ever the success of men or OF parties can
advance those principles and purposes,
the Republican will boldly advocate such
success; whenever men and parties are
stumbling blocks to the triumph of those
principles, they will be as boldly opposed
| and denounced"