New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-17
FINDS US TOO PARTISAN
Much Can Be Said for Both Sides
in Politics or War.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: | have followed the varying fortunes
Of your paper for the last ten years. Dur
ing that time | have noticed a tendency
which does little honorto the paper founded
by Horace Greeley In fact this tendency
is in direct opposition to the standards and
ideals set up by that great journalist.
When I first began reading your paper it
stood for the "Old Guard" and was against
everything that was not the "Old Guard"
No matter what the bosses or grafters among
the &. O. P. did, il was right and just, and
could never be otherwise.
About two years ago The Tribune opened
it's eyes and saw that everything was not
right in the Republican party and it suddenly
changed its views. While before it could
not see anything in that party except the
very highest and truest ideals it now turned
around and saw that it abounded in graft
and corruption. Its leaders were corrupt and
consequently any one who had a stain Of the
"Old Guard in him was condemned.
However, The Tribune did not entirely de-
sert the Republican party, but it Joined the
forces Of the Young Republicans. Previously
The Tribune was too dead about the faults
in the Republican party, but now it was too
alive about them. | maintain that there is
no party or class of men who are entirely
angels, but that, on the other hand, there
is no party or class of men who are entirely
devils.
This spirit Of adopting policy and preju-
dicing yourself against all others manifested
itself when the present great war broke out.
When the European powers became involved
in war the United States decided to remain
neutral. The United States was supposed not
to favor either side, and it's only concern
was to see that its rights were not trans
crossed But although the United States was
neutral | am sorry to say that the same
cannot be said of the American press lin
Guiding YOURSELF The Tribune instead of
remaining neutral openly ranged itself on
the side of the Allies. 1t took the same
view of the warning powers as it did in its
other policies. This time the Allies were
the angels and the Teutons were the devils
Whenever any one lifted up his voice and
proclaimed new German atrocities The Trib-
une believed them without question. But
whenever any one said the same thing Of the
Allies among whom are Russian, African
and Asiatic soldiers. many of whom are bar
bariansj The Tribune declared them lies
L
TO say that the Germans did not commit
any atrocities, but what | do mean to say
is that on the other hand it cannot be said
of the Allies that they are as innocent as
newborn babe
After the Lusitania horror The Tribune
openly came out for war against Germany.
The Tribune would not stop at even bringing
the United States into the slaughter in order
20 achieve its selfish ends. The Tribune
thought that the United States would be
forced to enter the war, and that thus the
Allies would win. But | am proud to say
that the people did not listen to tsose papers
which would have their lives sacrificed in or
der to reach their goal. The people and the
President acted wisely, and they refused to
be fooled into war. ! ask you the plain,
simple question, as it worth the shedding
of the blood of a million poor people in order
to avenge the killing of hundred rich ones
who had nothing else to do than to go to
Europe in a time of war on a belligerent
ship filled with ammunition ?" Although the
sinking of the Lusitania is deplorable,
don't believe that any sane person can say
that the United States should sacrifice a
million souls to avenge it. These people
threw their dice with Death and they lost
In all these instances which have pointed
out you have adopted policy and have fol-
lowed it, whether right or wrong and through
thick and thin. You made an angel out of
the side which you happened to attach your
self to, while the other side had no choice
but of being a devil. The motto, my coun-
try. right or wrong" is fast going to the
cemetery. l sincerely hope that the motto
which you have taken. "My policy right or
wrong" will at once follow its cousins foot
steps. few months ago you opened
campaign having for its banner The Truth,
the Whole Truth and Nothing but the Truth"