The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-03-09
The Licentiousness OF the " Respectabi



ing, very curious and interesting chapter, in
illustration OF the RIGHTEOUSNESS of certain portion
OF the newspaper press Of this country The ar-
cles which we publish do not require any expana-
tory remarks. The whole story is told with sutfi-
Gent expllcltness, and We are, therefore, spared
the unpleasant necessity Of entering into any his
torlcal details relative to the origin OF the contro-
versy, which has been conducted on one side with
such an utter disregard of every principle of de-
cency or justice. But a variety Of reflections are
suggested by these extracts from the columns Of
contemporary journals, to which it is proper to
give expression and consideration.
The Courier and Enquirer is one of pretty
large class OF newspapers, that make great pre-
tension TO high responsibility, dignity and proprety
This species of journalism has, indeed, always
been in the habit of arrogating to itself the excu-
slve title OF the respectable press" When the
conductors of the Courier and kindred journals,
have been twitted about the superior enterprise
and industry Of the cheap independent press, they
have very complacentiy responded" but we be-
long to the respectable pressp' When they have
been reproached with tagging far behind the spirit
OF the age, they have screamed out in reply" Oh
but then We are respectable" When they have
been shown to be utterly deficient in all the ele-
msnts that constitute influential journalism, they
have been able to retort only in the saline parrot
tones" oh! we are respectable-we are respecta-
ble" And not satisfied with thus reterating their
modest claim, they have assailed with the most
unblushing efffontery, the independent daily press,
and characterized it as all that was vile and indie
cent. They have represented il as scurrilous-
slanderous-infamous-p rOfane-and every thing
that was bad. They have again and again de-
nounced 1t as invading the sanctty Of private life
as attacking private character-as the wanton
assalant and defamer of every thing that was pure
and lovely, and of good report.
For time, this systematic abuse and calumna-
tlon of the cheap independent press, by such ere.
spectacle" journals as the Courier and Enquirer,
was not without its effect. free press, like the
sword OF just magistrate, is terror to evildoers
II must be feared and hated in many quarters, if il
fulfil its mission with fidelity Wrong perpetrated
on a community, whetherby individuals or cl,ques
cannot be exposed and rebuked without exciting vic
lent luminosity against the agency by which It has
been dragged forth and chassed in the light OF open
day. Hence, On the first establishment in this
country OF an Independent newspaper press, there
arose, far and wide, in many quarters, a terrible
cutlery. The new power was making itself felt
All sorts of intrigue, and corruption, and injustice
In almost every department of human life, had
been safely perpetrated under the old regime just
let any intelligent and candid mind recall the state
of society in this country before the establishment
of the independent press. and contrast it with its
present condition, and then decide whether or not
change. greatly for the better, has not taken
place through the fundamentally of that great
gan OF just and enlightened public opinion-a free
press circulating universally amongst all classes OF
the people. This is, indeed, now the conviction
of the great OF The intelligence and moral
worth OF the community. In Integriy-in decen-
Gym propriety-and in just and becoming re-
spect for all that is entitled to respect, the indie
pendent daily press is as far superior TO the old
party Journas-the organs of cligues and factions,
OF STOCKHOLDERS and mere politicians, it is in
!. point of enterprise, industry and talent.
To return TO the case Immediately before US,
where, we ask, In any of the icheap newspapers,
conducted on independent PRINCIPLES, can there be
found such wanton, malicious and indecent at
tack upon private character, that which was
made on Mr. Willis, in the columns of the Courier
f. Enquirer Here is paper which arrogates to
itself the highest character for responsibility as
sailing in the most outrageous manner, and with
out any provocaton, the character of private ci-
tizen. Not only does it assailhim, in terms of low
and rufan vulgarity, but it assails his relatives
Anu oil tnlS WITHOUT a SnduOW Oh PROOF In support
oil the gross accusations which are made. And
then, mark the gross injustce-the obstinate ma.
lice, of this /" respectable" journal rejoinder is
made by the individual who has been thus assa,l-
ed-he proves every allegation TO be false he win.
dcates his character and life from the foul asper
sions of his calumniator Does the Courier offer
any apology-does it attempt any explanation
does it endeavor to present any excuse or pallIa-
Nntaf oil IN he 49, eli Oh
repsration for the wrong it had committed, and
persists in its ISLANDERS and its calumnies. And this
is a" respectable" Journal-this is the Journal that
talks about invading the sanctity of private life
this is the journal that declares against the scurr
tiles and personalities of the independent press
more infamous abuse of the freedom of the press,
and more glaring forfeiture of every claim to the
character Of honor respectability, is not to be
found in the history of newspapers.
This case presents but sample OF the licentious-
ness of the so-caed respectable press" Not
day passes in which do not find journals Of this
class assailing, in the most scurrilous manner,
some of the leading men of the country. Look at
the TRADES OF personal abuse and calumny poured
out by the party papers during the last Presidential
campaign. LOOK at the manner in which Mr..
Tyler is now abused and ridicuIed and DETAINED.
Look at the torrents of abuse poured upon him on
his retirement from the most elevated office in the
government. In what degraded position are the
people of this country thus presented the eyes Of
European nations by the party press But what is
national honor-what is patriotic feeling-what is
common courtesy,to these miserable, hreng tools
OF faction They have their work to do, and in
doing 1t they are prepared to descend to any ex.
tremity OF vileness. To eulogze with bombas,
the leaders OF their own party, and to execrate
with bngsgate those OF the opposite, is their daily
business; and that their heart and soul are in the
business, who doubta
IL Is, however, gratifying to observe that there
are visible tokens of rapid decline in that "respect
able" journalism, OF whose decency and Justice we
have this day given such Ineligible illustration.