True Province of a Neutral Paper
The Olympia Columbian
October 16, 1852

The glorious privilege of being independent is one which, if it is not permitted to "mix up" in party broils by taking sides, and tilting a lattice in the political arena, a neutral newspaper is at least rightly permitted to sit in judgment, and denounce or approve the public and official acts of the people's servants of all parties, in all departments of government, whenever those acts may severally tend to injury, or inure to the benefit of the people, whose organ that paper may be.

Whenever a newspaper becomes subservient to the party, it voluntarily surrenders, in a humiliating degree, that independence of thought and utterances, which would otherwise have induced it to render equal and exact justice to all; but assuming the popular position of the monarchial world, that "the King can do no wrong," apply it to its party, with the equally erroneous conclusion that the opposition can do no right.

"Oh! sincerity! thou first of virtues! let no mortal leave thine onward path!"

What matters are there in northern Oregon, requiring agitation by a neutral paper at the present time? We fell called upon to reply, that as our territory is as yet but thinly settled, it is highly important that there be a unity of purpose, a concentration of action on that part of all our citizens, to carry out such projects as all are interested in, for the future prosperity of the whole territory. To secure such an important object, we feel called upon to exert ourselves to the utmost in connection with all true friends of northern Oregon, in endeavoring to conciliate local feelings, harmonize apparent (though unreal) antagonistic interest allay party animosities, and unite all as a band of brothers in the accomplishment of object which must inevitably rebound to the benefit of all, to which object we are wedded and earnestly ask the united co-operation of all.

We are told from high authority, that a house divided against itself cannot stand; and if so, how much less can such a house secure anything of good for the common household? The Willamette valley furnished us a frightful example of the truth of the above quotation in the fierce political feuds, which for some time has raged with a virulence, that almost begs description.

Where are its improvements of rivers, lighthouses, instructions of learning, public territorial buildings, etc, that the home government has so liberally furnished the means for their construction? For the last year they have been buried beneath the waves of party! Our southern neighbor is even more an object of censure than was the "prodigal son," for its political riotous living has been augmented by its kind old father, with additional appropriations, which have been made use of in the prolongation its of political rivals, while northern Oregon has had to content itself with filling its "belly with the husks," and glad to get even that.

When north Oregon shall have received its portion, we trust our future federal officers and legislature will profit by the experience of the past, and will know how to make an immediate appropriation of the same at least without a years delay in appeals to court and congress. In the meantime, let us all act in harmony and concert, and we will soon demonstrate that the "stone" of all departments of government have heretofore neglected, is capable of becoming "the head of the corner."