New-York daily tribune., 1844-05-13
The Herald, Bennett, II. Wikof, and fah'


rect 1t. even though the subject be James 'ofooh
Bennett. We published as true Mr.. II. "lkoa's
account Of the course of the Herald towards
Mile. EIss!er, its Inducements thereto, and the
presents to Bennett which. according TO Wlkoti 5
story, were e1:orted from the dancer by her fears
and dread of attacks through the Herald. We
do not remember that we expressly characterized
Benefits conduct in the premises as Infamous,
but we certainly so considered and exhibited It.
But M!. Bennett, by the publication perfectly
uslifable, under the circumstances OF a series
Of private letters to himself from Wikoff. whAe
acting as Elssler's secretary or agent has shown
that the absurd puIfs, anecdotes, deiences, &c oi
the dancer which were so conspcuousy inserted
in the Herald, throughout her stay m this hcmls-
phere, were constantly and urgently solicited by
herself and her functionary: that every possible
means was used 10 induce him Bennett to write
more, and Citener and lay it on thicker, IN eXal-
tation Of the dancing courtesan. After re2cing
all that has thus far appeared on both sides. we
arc veIy decidedly OF opinion that the presents oi
Nile. Elssler to Bennett were but the well-eaFned
and not at all exorbitant reward OF services pet-
toned for and faithfully rendered, and that there
was nothing improper in his receiving them
The propriety OF has devotlng his journal TO sach
a purpose, is of course an entirely different mat
Ter, which does not here come under review. As
between Bennett and Elsscr, there can be no
doubt that he richly earned all she paid him, and
that, while it would have been very base in her
to have left his services unrequted, it was not at
all improper in him to accept her acknowledge
ments. We do not doubt that she went back to
Europe $4,000 richer than if the Herald had
never named her. Why, then, should she not
pay for its aid
There is a false notion prevalent Of the rights
and duties of the Press, in this respect, which
ought to be promptly corrected. A man presents
himself to an Editor having some invention, or
project, or wonder, or investment which he desires
to have brought vividlv to the notice of the Pub
lic and to this end solicits the Editors services
general or special and liberal or limited use Of
his columns. BY success, he expects to secure
wealth or something else desirable. Now the
Editor owes primary duty to his readers and
the public, which binds him never to deceive nor
mslead them in this or any other rrespect-should
he fail in this to their injury, he justly forfets
their confidence and ought to lose their patron
age. But allowing the thing commended is de-
sercing of what he says of it, and by means of
his exertions it is brought into notice and popu-
larty, to the advantage of the public and the pc
cuniary profit Of the protector proprietor, there
is no sound reason conceivable why the Editor
should not be literally paid for his exertions in
the premises. True, he must be very careful that
is imminent danger that the tant
of personal interest may affect his judgment and
stimulate his zealand here is abundant reason
why he should be chary Of receiving presents or
for any services he may render in the
way OF his profession. 1t may be well for him to
refuse any such recompensc, but we are speaking
of the obligation Of the beneficiary Wepresume
the virtue OF an Editor will rarely be put to any
very severe test His friend the inventor will
insist on his dcvoting his time, his efforts, his
the public 50 vastly, and one person in particular
a little incidentally; and should he at last fling
few dollars out Of thousands TO his topographic
ally, he will vaunt 1t to the world of cx-
travagant generosity on his part or OF extortion
on that of his ally. Mr.. Wikof indeed, coolly
declares that Benefits articles in favor of Fanny
ElSsler were so extravagant, absurd and mawksh
that they did her more harm than good, and in
the next breath he asserts that they doubtless in.
creased the circulation Of the Herald, and so
were ntrinsically a source of profit! We sus-
pect they brought dollar into the Golfers of the
dancer for every copper they won to the drawer
OF the publisher. Assuming, then, that his own
letters have not been grossly interpolated by Ben.
nett, (as think they could not have been, as
the rrai scmbiance is very marked and never lost
we must say that Mr.. Wikotf cuts sorry fig.
ure in this business.
And ROW word on another branch of this
subject. This controversy has let the public
good way into the secret of making theatrical
lion and theatrical lortunc-perIlaps of other
lions and fortunes though we think there can be
none other quite so much matter of gas and ma.
chincry as those connected with the Drama. Fanny
Elssler came here nthe Spring of lS4l, woman
Of thirty five, with considerable European reputa.
ton dancer and courtesan. BY proiuse
application Of theatrical puff f-power, through the
Herald and kindred prints, she was at once en-
throncd the unrivaled queen of the ballet, the
idol of fashion, the divinity of the theatre-yes,
:" the dipine Fanny" was the appellation bias
phemously current in the circles and the journals
most lavish of her praises Nightly were the
largest theatres Of our cities crowded successfully
with the young, the pure, the high-born, as well
as the otherwise, to study every attitude, watch
every motion, and applaud to the echo every ex
ertion, OF this dancing woman, whose shameless
ness was notorious all over Europe and in this
country, and whose relations with her Junction
airy Wikoff were scarcely equivocal. Against
this tempest OF extravagant adulation we were i'm,