The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-06-16


The Newspaper Press Of New-York.
The history of the newspaper press Of this city,
for the last ten fifteen years. presents very curl
and not altogether uninstructive subject of in
vsstgation We have occasionally directed the at
tenton of our readers to this subject, as we record
ed the changes, revolutions and transitions of con-
temporary journalism, and it is now forced upon us In
manner somewhat amusing, by sort of Kilkenny
fight, between the Courier and the Tribune, which
has already been richly productive of interesting
developments, touching the character Of both in a
variety OF important aspects. very proper oppor-
tunity is thus afforded of making few remarks on
the newspaper press of New-York, OF which we
will at once avail ourselves.
The Democratic press of this city, has long been
VIGOROUSLY weak, dependent and powerless Its
conductors have been almost without exception
mere Notwithstanding politicians, famous for
their readiness in getting up flaming resolutions at
ward meeting-men altogether destitute of the ed
ucation, talent and TACT absolutely necessary in
popular and influential journalist. The papers have
been the mere organs of ciiques-sicky tools of
faction not at all worth even the miserable supper,
doled out to them. Hence the entire failure of
these journals to represent the opinions and senti-
ments of the great democratic party Of the country.
Narrow, contracted, selfish in all their views
and movements, in vain do you look in their CO.
lumns for any thing like comprehensive, vigorous
and we-sustained advocacy of the principles and
measures of the party which they professedly
devoted. In no sense they be regarded the
representatives of popular opinion. And thus on all
sides, amongst the intelligent members Of the de-
mocratic party, you hear loud complaints of the in
efficiency and worthlessness OF the New York de-
mocratic papers As vehicles of intelgence-as
newspapers, we need hardly say they are beneath
contempt. No body ever dreams of getting any
news from the locofoco organs in this city.
Even with respect to the movements OF their own
party-the dongs at Washington--or any important
political mathematician barrenness is as notori-
Gus as the consistency Of the Courier, the supidi
y of the Express. Is there single honest, intelli
gent democrat, who is discovered from the corrupt
ing and ensaving influence of cliques, who will re-
fuse to admit the truth OF every syllable we have ut
tered with regard to the worthessness and incapa-
city of those journals in this city which profess to
represent with fairness, fidelity and vigor his senti
ments and his opinions The circulation of these
papers, it need hardly be added is extremely limit
ed and confined chiefly to the lower classes-the
fiery partizans and under-crust democracy, whose
violent and vulgar party feelings and prejudces they
minister.
The wing journals address themselves to differ
ent class of readers-to those who affect to belong
TO the intelligent educated and moneyed classes
With, perhaps, rather less vulgarity these journals
exhibit the same selfshness, dependence and inca
pacity, as newspapers, that mark and disgrace the
democratic papers. They are generally the merce-
nary tools OF stockholders, political spectators,
and swindlers a large and respectable scale.
Thus the Courier, with circulation Of about four
thousand is supported by the contributions of spe-
culators, and others, who pay from two hundrhd
dollars to eight nine hundred dollars annually for
their advertisements. Such paper cannot, OF
course, be expected to advocate, with freedom,
fidelity and effect, either the doctrines Of what it
calls its own party, or the sentiments and impulses
of the mighty popular masses. On the contrary we
saw during the last election, how this Courier and
Enquirer, with bold and unblushing impudence.
all its own, actually published fictitious intelligence
calculated to deceive honest wings, for the purpose
of attaining the ends OF political blackegs; and as
to the sentiments and movements of the people, il
has, with consistency perfectly miraculous in such
weather-cock journalism, almost uniformly opposed,
ridiculed, and abused them. What are the people
umphs and perpetuity Of free government-to the
miserable hireling, sold, body and soul, to the
service Of corruption, intrigue, and the most despi-
cable OF ctiqmes-a clique OF money-changers and
thieves, worse than that which Jesus Christ drove
out of the temple which they had polluted,
But the Tribune has given us daguerreotype
portrait of its contemporary and felow-laborer in
the wing cause, which beats the skill and apparatus
IL
writer ofthe "NIystey of Iniquity," and he thus
unveils what is now not much Of mystery to most
people in these regions
No man in the community has so often outraged pro-
priey in this respect or so completely Disguised the
public with the repeated exposure Of his private grudges
domestic difficulties and family quarrels the unhappy
editor Of the Courier and Enquirer who deals harshy
with himself in displaying his personal and social
misfortune. to the vulgar gaze as he does with the
gain, wounded his vanity, humbled his insolence, or
brought upon him public condemnation for his numerous
fragrant violations Of truth, honesty and decency. Pos.
sessed of absurd and nordnatc conceit Of the i'm.
porancc of his huge numbering journal Whose real
good daily Exhibition Of The
and saleable commodities Of New York; and ignorant
Of the fact that his tedious prosy editorials might be
written and printed in Cherokee instead Of English
without diminishing the usefulness Of his paper to those
subscribers who actually support it, he makes vehi
Gle for his ptiful spite and unprnipled ctons and
bes solely for his personal qualification
gain without regard to the interests Of the community
oil the party whch IS al ths Tune ny his nomi.
nal conncxicn with II. Varying in political association,
With every moments notion rs to his pecunisry interest
Ne has alike dofled by his praise and honered by his
abuse. In turn, almost every who has been eminent
the City State Nation within the last sixteen years
From Henry Clay John Quincy Adams and Daniel Web
ser down TO the most obscure citizen, male or female
who may have happened TO offend his malice or mortify
his pride there is hardly person that he now favors
whom no has not vely traduced and beled hardly
that he abuses, whom he has atered and fawn
ed upon when he deemed 1t for his interest do so for
moment His name has for years been very by.word
FOR shameless ergivsrsaon changeling prongscy and
rank venay. There is not horse in the city that has
been bought and sold often. for prices under the
most successful iockeyng) monstrousy dispropor.
toned to the real value Of the animal
The reader OF the Courier and EnqtiYers article
cannot fail to be struck with tho unconscious mpudence
and absurdy Of the editors implied assumption Of dig
nifty of and station in society and with the
iculous nature Of tho comparative position which ne