Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-12-01

JpeaN to tUke some pleasure in copy
fronNSnother journal a dlstarton
sentence in the Deseret News,
(which was this The News IL ready
az any time to meet the charge Of
Democratic leanings or Republican
proclvitics ana is able to defend it,
self ON either ground, as an lndepsn-
dent paper, but not as neutral By
making play on tho word "indepen-
dent" the evident meaning OF our re-
mark has been entirely perverted. The
files Of the "News' are open to any
directors who make the claim that
this paper has exhibited partyism in
any of it's editorial utterances,
In cntcIsing reported methods that
appeared to be improper. the News
has not intended to attack or lay
blame upon any particular party or in
diyidual but has made its remarks OF
general character. applicable only 10
those engaging In such measures 1t
has singled out no party or society or
person, Republican, Democratic, or
otherwise. Nor has It desired to offend
any partisan. however intense. who has
simply exercised those rights OF citi-
2cnship which this paper has always
upheld for every person, no matter
what may be his calling. profession.
faith or nationality
Hut what is meant by the term inde-
pendent? This Is what the dictionary
says:
Not dependent; not subject tn the
control Of others; not relying on 9th
ers: not subordinate; not subject to
bias or influence; not obsequious; self
directing, as, man OF an Independent
mind"
That has been the attitude OF the
Deseret News ever since the people
Of Utah divided on party lines En-
deavors have been made by both Re-
publicans and Democrats to Intimate
that this paper leaned to one side or
the other, but when challenged to pro-
duce the article Or articles complained
Of. they have utterly failed to point
out anything OF the kind or that could
reasonably be construed In that way
Their resort has been that they could
read between the lines" which Is. of
course. exceedingly fair and logical
ara convincing; that is. to the indl-
viduals who use that kind Of reasoning.
AS to the term. "a neutral" the
News" need not say anything fur
Their, as it has shown clearly from
recognized authorities, that "a neutral
amounts to nothing one way or am
other, being indifferent, without force,
sexless and powerless.'
AS to politics. A great deal de-
ponds upon the construction which diff
ferent people put upon the same term.
We understand politics TO mean one
thing. partyism or partisanship to
mean another and different thing.
The word politics is grossly mis-
used very frequently. Properly
speaking It means something which
every American citizen ought to be In
terested and engaged In. But that
does not necessarily imply connection
with political party. photographers
thus define the meaning Of Politics;
"The science Of government;that part
Of ethics which has 10 do with the reg
uation and government OF nation or
state. the preservation Of safety peace
and prosperity; the defense Of It's eX-
istence and rights against foreign con-
troll or conquest the augmentation of
It's strength ana resources and the
protection of It's citizens in their rights.
with the preservation and improvement
of their morals"
A person or a paper can be interest
ed IN and take up subjects connected
with the science OF government and
yet be perfectly independent, taking no
sides In mere partisan questions. con.
tentlons or intrlgues, II need not be "a
neutral" on any public question that
relates TO the principles OF government,
whether they relate to a nation. state
Or city on all public questions Of
that character the Dessert News has
andeayored 10 give information TO rs
readers, and has discussed them oc.
oaslonally with A view 10 the promo.
lion Of general liberty the preservation
II good order and the upholdlng Of pub.
ic morality But at the same time It
has avoided entering into partylsm AND
1as kept aloof from II Intentionally. ac.
:ually and beyond fair dispute.
"Partylsm' means, according TO tho
dictionaries, devotion to party" II Is
equivalent TO the term "partlsanshlp."
which Is defined as "the state OF being
q partisan; adherence 90 party; feel.
rgs ana conduct appropriate to a par.
W" This, Il VIII be seen by even the
casual reader 10 be altogether dIreren,
signifcation 70 the word politics
sometimes parties may be said 10 have
10 politics being organized simply To
)htain the control OF city or a STATE
'or purposes outside OF the public wei.
are. On the other hand people may
DO intensely earnest IN their views ne
% the science of government. the eth.
cs that have to do with the regulation
n national or state affairs as matters
" principle, and yet be entirely I'm.
waved By partyism and taking no mart
The contentious and broils and per.