Chapter 24: Grant's first administration
- New York sun as an independent newspaper -- Rawlins Secretary of War -- Dana recommended for collector of customs -- Washburne secures appointment of Moses Grinnell -- Dana commends appointment -- Grant's cabinet announced -- wide-spread disappointment -- nominations of Stewart and Borie regarded with amazement -- Rawlins highly commended -- no splendid administrations -- call for Borie's resignation -- Dana declines appraisership of merchandise -- Criticises Grant's use of Tallapoosa -- the “Black Friday” conspiracy -- frauds in the custom-house -- death of General Rawlins -- appointment of Belknap -- sun opposes Hoar's confirmation -- Condemns Secretary Fish
From the preceding chapter it will be evident to the most casual reader that Dana, from the beginning, conformed strictly to the principles which he had laid down for his government in the conduct of the Sun. From the day he took charge of it he made it an independent newspaper in the broadest sense of the words. While it supported Grant for the presidency, it wore the livery of no party. While it discussed every public question and commented on the acts of every public man as occasion required, it must be admitted that it did so in no personal sense, but upon their merits alone. If the freedom of the press is essential to the freedom of the citizen, absolute independence of judgment on the part of the editor is not only his highest privilege, but his highest duty to the public. As the future course of this narrative will show, the Sun was never anything if not independent. In making it so, Dana estranged many friends, but while he
