The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-07-21
CORRESPONDENCE
NEW York EDITORIAL CORPS.
Ngw YoRk, July ID, 1888.
PuBI.Tus.


DEAR Sin The contest which approaches will
elicit all the skill and alen connected with the pup
lie press, end il may not, therefore, be unn'sresng
10 your readers to learn somewhat OF tne proves
those who, in the ely OF New York, Weld the e'e-
ments of political strife and with harness on are
Ore repairing to do good service IN the cause 'hey ie
spec,ively espousc
Although do not intend, by any precedence IN
order TO indicate thereby that the party nrs aes's
mated Is superior 10 his fellows, yet will observe,
~ thai shall as nearly as possible dojustice
10 The influence exerted BY each of the par,ies-re-
serving 10 myself the right Of correcting any erroror
omission. whenever satisfied thar such occurs 10
unnecessary for me 10 say that fudge no mans mo-
lives If the editor OF a public print defends
measures of which my judgment disapproves'
shall canddy but courteously discuss their bearing
without, impu,ing corrupt intentions, except where
such facts are disclosed will justify the impu'a-
ton. With The personal character Of the condncSrs
Of public journals, stall not NEEDLE
Mutual elimination can be productive OF no good
in any discussion nor can error be successfully
assailed with weapons selected from the armory Of
personal abuse
PERHAPS as a political writer, the editor Of the
Erening star may be considered among The earliest
and mos, praciised
One would suppose that he was born to his voca-
lion There i an easy and natural vein Of wit and
humor pervading his political Writings Which are
emioenlly characteristic. They could not, by any
! possibility, be traced to any other writer.
They are saa generis, particularly his sqn'os-
| Ahous h the bow is bent apparently IN SPORT Inc
arrow never misses its mark-nor can the assaiieo
rary conceal the effects of its sting.
Whether Justly or otherwise certain il is, that me
publi have long since a,r buted to the editor OF the
Star propensy at times to deal slightly in hgper-
1 bole This, however, Is usually resoTed 10 Only
where the subject is comparatively unimporant, and
The coloring given to the record, does not materially
dis,ort its main features.
| II Is somewhat like the deception pracised by the
skillul Inner who sofens the rough features oi ms
| sitter and mparts 10 his "counterfeit presentmen,
grace and majesty which is not so clearly percepl-
bic in the original. In his grave and more ampi-
tious efforts the editor Of the Star abandons light
| weapons, and Yields his bate-axe with much force
and viyor In such contests he spurns the resort TO
6adinaec as beneath the dignity OF the theme; but
buls the shafts OF SATIRE argument, and inveetive
with unerring aim, and fatal velocity. Beneath his
caustic pen veteran opponents quail and inexPerenc-
ed antagonists arc silenced But il is but seldom
tha, The good natured editor resorts to such harsh
methods OF attack The milk of human kindness
flows warmly through his feelings, and bitter must
b, the offence which can turn il to gall.
The editor of the Star can hardly be said 10 WELD
an extensive influence. His readers are always
amused, but seldom biased by his political disserta-
tons This probably arises from The general play
fulness and humor displayed in his lighter para
graphs, conveying the impression that their author
is more in Jest than earnest The circulation OF the
Star must be large Independent Of its claims on lis
political friends il is sought for by all classes as an
interesting chronicle OF passing events-ight, spark
ligh, witty, and graceful
In furnishing an interesting and well arranged
sketch Of European intelligence-in selecting the
most pionoah and stirring domestic incidenls-in
consulting the varied Of all descriptions OF
readers and in sketchng with master hand the
ludcrous and vulnerable points Of character OF his
political opponepts--,he editor Of no periodical
surpasses the veteran of the Star II sunnecessary
to say,hat in politics I, is decidedly Wing.
As an essayisl the editor Of the Star has obtained
no little celebrity In discussing the various themes,
which have from time TO time elected his attention,
he has ever exhibited an investigating mind united
| 10 greet purity Of taste.
His more ambitious literary efforts have been
highly creditable. Among these, his Travels in
Africa and Europe while acting as Consul OF Al
giers may be considered the most important In this
work the narrative is flowing and easy--the incl
dents so arranged as to excite continued interest," and
the style pleasing and graceful. Although not wor-
thy to be ranked among the best books of travels
still is credabe TO the taste, industry and observa-
| tion Of the author.
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