The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-05-23


ernor lyler,' he cOoly suggests, would probably
explain by stating that II his duty not to awe the
advertisements TO papers which had only compa
rative small circulation" and the matter is then I'm
ally dismssedin these extremely "knowing" para
graphs:-
But admitting that the real object that Of simple
BRIDE we must still marvel at the establishment OF the
"Foregn Quarterly" seeing that the practice is one
which in the mother country probably every state
of Europe is about old the press itself Is the writer
so innocent to suppose the MOI ming and evening
papers which know as ministerial journals support
the government Of the day only from motives of the pures
patriotism and that in return for this deuotedaess there
are no consi eraons in the shape early and exclusive
information, official announcements, more tangible
modes of pay ment for this dsvotedness ?'-
We have given this outline of the defence of the
American press and its uphoders by their hardest
advocated, because 1t comprises matter which
throughout the course of present article, it will
be instructive to keep in view. The writerss pur-
pose cannot be mistaken. 1t is to involve in the
same disgrace the most respectable of the Tory
journals of the metropolis and the literature we for
mery classed as but part OF Its social dregs and mo-
raj filth. tits to convey the impression that the "mo
raj tone" of the "iTImes'' and the Standard" is in
point OF fact on no higher level than that OF two
dalOus journals still existing, and two still worse,
which are extinct The last two are not named, but
proceedings at police Offices have forced their names
on respectable men, and we understand The review
ers allusion. Ii conveys what is not he fact They
were not newspapers They were prints of the
lowest price, uhstamped, indecently Illustrated, and
fled with the sayings and doings OF shameless and
Reviewer thus reckless class these foul pubica-
tons with the great body of English newspapers
Why does he leave his readers to imagine that such
journals as the "Times'' had countenanced or in
any way suffered to appear in their columns, the in
famous ISLANDERS of which he makes special me ntion!
Why, with the stamp returns at hand does he talk
OF the extensive circulation oil papers, Of which the
miserable sale is as notorious the miserable and
mean contents! Because ne is defending the Anin
icdn Press.
1t is worth remark perhaps that among the earlier
articles OF the same number OF the Westminster
Review" there was one by particularly enthusi-
asiic writer, who said number of fine and h4tter-
ing things about the Eng sh press, and put forth
thing but the very prandrst claims in its behalf
What his friend and colleague was saying in the
same instant of time, the reader has observed. The
delicate monster with two voices was probably ne
yer PLAYED to greater perfection. " His forward
voice Ohe first arlice) is to speak well OF his frend
his backward voice Che second artice) is to utter
foul speeches and to detrac" The men of the press
the authors OF the moral life OF nations, says the
| forward voice. Nothing can be so morally low as
the tone OF the of the PRESS says the backward
voice. Bullying, exaggeration, downright lying,
don't apply to the newspaper man, cries the forward
voice. The newspaper man DULLES, exaggerates,
lies, cries the backward voice. His own party deem
him servant Of Right and Patriotism, says the for
ces, and do what they like with their Town." says
the backward voice. No profession is more honor.
ed in England at this hour, by the intelligent, than
that OF the press, cries the forward voice. Until
will be mere mercenery mass, cries the backward
voice. The journalist is not believed ready to re-
peat his lies tor few gulneas, says the forward voice.
Is any one simple enough not to believe that brides
old the press itself, asks the backward
voice. The man of the press is Lion, cries the
forward voice. He lisa Lbeller, cries the backward
voice. His autographs fetch high prices, says the
forward voice But we had better stop here seeing
that we stumble on something like agreement
For, responds the back ward voice, one must pity the
| innocent who does not know of "tangible modes OF
payment" for the devotedness OF of the pressi
Which is perhaps only more decately put in the
mark on high priced autographs
Between such exaggerated differences in men OF
the political views, who thus fatty contradict
each other, and stutfy the journal they write in,
the truth has, at any rate room aud breadth enough
TO make itself calmly and clearly known. And If OF
the overweening claim il should hardly approve, on
the low and false depreciation it may assuredly
trampe with scorn. English journalism, whatever
its defects may be, represents not unworthily the
civilization and intelligence of England. great
people fluids free uterance In II tor every possible
difference of thought and of opinion, and respec
table community has no call to be ashamed OF it
The man who says 1t wages war on private life, or
who implies that 1t is conducted by professional bull
lies, whose avarice other passions invite the price
vt their dishonor, utters what we can only call a
fasehood. Its writer's are for the most part men of
known character and station, and have all the in
ducements to keep them true, even if they had all
the baseness to be able to be false. As TO the par
ticuar revelations to be expected from the Eng.
sh journalist the special "ruths from the higher
regions of philosophy" of which the enthusiastic
article IN the WESTMINSTER" speaks, when it likens
him to Spring in the Greek ode, shining forth and
scattering roses-we will only say, that when he
sets forth preenson to deal in these wares, it is
more than probable he will be found actually sup
piled with them. Meanwhile, we contemplate him
with equal admiration in a somewhat humber
sphere, where he no doubt feels he is able to do
greater present good Swift observes it is an uncon-
troled truth, that no man ever made an i'll figure
who understood his own talents, nor good one
H. a. IL Al
chief distinctions Of the English journalist, that he
both understands his talents, and their most cautious
and useful application He seldom stops short, and
much more seldom goes too far He does not loter
near Apsiey House while his friends are some dozen
miles further on the road nor exercise his speed in
the Park at Windsor, while his readers are strug.
Cling to be lifted out OF Slough. He is an emnently
practical man; and, upon the whole, we say, just
and conscientious man. Oh the latter we think
gave proofs in our late paper the ewspaper
press of France His great ability we do not think
any one would question, except perhaps the friend
of the American editors in the WESTMINSTER Re-
view" With every disadvantage to contend
against forced 10 write upon subjects with which
he may be least familiar; always writing against
time; never able to escape such immediate contact
with what he treats, rs mast always 10 some extent
cloud its just proportions; how seldom is the English
journalist mere carlcaturist, dogmatst, or de-
caimer !
With such man as this. 1T is now attempted to con.
found the newspaper man OF America. But il will
not do Our exposure OF last October stands on re-
cord against the stale trick; and il anything else
were needed the answer of the American press to
that exposure is now on record also A precious
and invaluable testimony TO the truihfulness and
Justice of the Foreign Quarterly Review II
becomes us CRATE fully to recognize II, and 10 offer
some slight description of it, Such is our present
purpose. We will be careful to do it as briefly as
we may.
The first steam-packct after the Review had
reached the States brought TO this country the letter
of an intelligent "New York Merchant" which
was published in lthe "Spectatstor" newspaper
In that letter found it stated: "The review OF
the American newspaper press in the Foreign
Quarterly is attributed here to Dickens, believe
falsely. IN the main IL is true, and therefore curs
DEEPLY but justice is scarcely done to the "Cou-
rier and Enquirer" which s decidedly one of the
best papers published in New York although that
does not sag much, CONFESS" We knew that such
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