C. I. Eugene Kim

“ The turbulent life of the Spectator resulted, in large measure, from the effort to publish a nonpartisan newspaper for pioneers who voiced strong political convictions. The American settler was the heir of generations whose shibboleth of freedom firmly embraced public exchange of ideas in the press. The very beginnings of government in the Far West were made in Oregon, yet the divergent opinions about this critical development found no outlet in the only newspaper issued for much of the period from 1846 to 1850. ”

“ We are aware that many will look with surprise, and perhaps suspicion, too, at the word "politics" . . . [in] the subjects to be discussed in the Spectator, from the fact, that heretofore, the privileges of the paper have been closed against politics entirely. We understand the 8th article of the constitution of the Oregon Printing Association . . . to exclude ex parte politics only. . . . Politics, as we understand the term, means the science of government, and not the effervescence of fermenting partyism, or the noisy froth of spouting demogogues. ”

“ In his final editorial, Curry vehemently reproved the association and its treasurer, Governor Abernethy, saying: "It [The Spectator] . . . has become the property of one individual, subject to his will, pleasure and dictation and intended to be made the advocate of his peculiar doctrines and opinions—the instrument of his petty ambition." [15] He declared that "since the censorship of the press in Oregon" he had lost all desire to edit the Spectator, preferring to "wait until the time shall come when the truth shall not be interdicted, nor the press muzzled." ”