Puget Sound Herald

"THE MARE WITHDRAWN."

Our worthy cotemporary of Olympia has found a mare's nest. Extraordinary sagacity! If it comprehends the meaning of plain Saxon language, it will learn that the Herald was never pledged to neutrality in politics, nor to neutrality in anything else. It was established as an independent journal, and that character it has to the present moment maintained, albeit the Pioneer has made the astonishing discovery that it "will enter the canvass in support of the opposition candidate, Col. Wallace, for the delegateship." Please read the second line on the title page, and let us know if the word "neutrality" is or ever was found there. We have no desire to sail under false colors, nor do we wish to deceive anybody in regard to the position we occupy.

Now, it was never our purpose to publish a neutral paper, nor yet a party paper, but a paper independent in all things. As an independent journal, the columns of the Herald from the first have been, and shall continue to be open to the discussion, pro and con, of all questions of a public nature, regardless of the objections or fault-finding of the Pioneer. We have yet to learn whether we have exceeded the legitimate bounds of independent journalism in any particular, as our cotemporary would like to make it appear. We are not disposed to confine ourself to the narrow limits it would prescribe for us, however much we may displease our neighbor. It is not less our duty and right to dwell on politics than it is to dwell on morals or religion at proper times; the public have as great an interest in one as the other, and we hold ourself at liberty to give free expression to our opinions political or otherwise, as often as occasion demands. No fears need be had of the Herald being made a party paper, either in this or coming elections, while under our control; but the reader may rest assured that we shall not be backward in denouncing or approving the acts of public men, whatever their political stripe, when denunciation is called for or praise merited. Without fear of sacrificing our independence, we shall also go so far as to speak of the relative merits or demerits of the different tickets to be voted for at our local elections, in order to enable voters to vote understandingly. Should we at any time err, in doing so, we hope to have credit for sincerity and honesty of purpose, inasmuch as party or pecuniary considerations will not influence our judgment. We have neither hope nor desire for gains obtained at the expense of truth; we seek only to promote the interests of the people at large, without respect to party.

If this is not "plain Saxon language," we know not how to reduce it to the comprehension of our cotemporary. Perhaps it might be rendered plainer by the admixture of a little scurrility, such as, we regret to see and say, the Olympia and Oregon presses so frequently indulge in; but which we do not believe ever did add weight or force to argument, and shall therefore refrain from calling to our aid.