The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-05-24

TempIeton and the Black Mail Critics.
The card of Mr.. Templeton, the celebrated
vocalist, has begun controversy involving the
character of the press of New York, and the prac-
tees of some of its attaches, which will lead TO
the development of some curious facts, that will
tend 10 set the public right in certain matters
hitherto hid in the dark. Let us begin this de-
velopement at once.
Every one who is patron of the musical art,
remembers the highly successful debut Of Mr..
Tempeton in this city last fall. He made his APP
pearance about the same time last year that De
Never did at the Park. Both these celebrated
artists produced wonderful sensation in the pub
lie mind. Templeton, after his brilliant debut in
New York, visited many of the surrounding towns
and cities, returned TO New York, gave more
concerts here-all of which were crowded
and at last wound up with concert for the ben
eft of the public charities Of this city, the pro-
ceeds of which were distributed under the super
intendence of the Mayor Thus far all went well.
His character and his talents both highly
appreciated by the public, and he left for the
South with fclat.
As soon as Templeton had left New York. symp-
toms became apparent in a certain portion of the
newspaper press,-a portion that has little repu-
not so much as vocalist, arising from certain
private grudges disappointments of selfish
and mercenary nature. The first symptom Of
this spirit Of malignty developed itself in
evening paper of limited circulation,
less character, and talent whatever As the
attacks on Templeton continued, many of his
friends began to inquire into the cause; and on in
vestigauon, found, to their great astonshment
that one, if more, Gncuding also hair dresser)
of the attaches of the disreputable press, were at
the bottom Of it, and that one of them was at one
and the same time abusing him in the newspa-
per and writing private letters to Templeton
himself, affecting great friendship, and making
demands upon his purse for money or black mail.
In the defence of Templeton, and TO show the
motives of the men, these facts were made pub
lie at that time. Having discovered that there
evidence in possession of u gentleman of this city,
substantating the correctness of the statement
that demands were made on Templeton, by n
certain set of low musical critics, attached TO
diseputable portion of the press, we made it
our business to ascertain the fact; and having dis
covered where these letters were, we procured
them, and on our own responsibility entirely, and
without the knowledge of Templeon or any other
person, we published them and proved the ale
cations against his enemies Immediately the
base consprators raised a cry of violation of con-
tdence, and charged it TO Templeton himself.
more base falsehood was never put forth. We
published these letters--we procured these letters
on our own responsbility-no one knew of the
purpose for which we intended TO use them;
and yet il is irresistiby ludicrious, to hear those
fifty dollar marauders art and artists, attempt
to set mp hue and cry about violation Of conf
dence, when their tricks discovered, and their
mercenary designs exposed. With as much pro-
priety might the bandit who robs on the highway,
upbraid his accuser of a violation of confidence,
when justice was about to overtake and send
him to winter quarters in the State prison.
We have facts and documents in our possession,
which may yet be called forth, showing the exis-
tence in this city, of clique of miserable news
paper critics, whose whole business is to impose
on great artists, and also on the respectable por
ton of the newspaper press.
The malgnity with which Templeton has been
assaied during his Southern and Western tour,
was caused by the utter deeat.which these LEVERS
of black mail had sustained from him. But this
is not all. One of the individuals in this confe-
deracy, who is well known in certain barber shops
has actually commenced an action against Tenn
pleton, and presented bill of particulars amount
ing to nearly two thousand dollars Some of the
III liils ut LOT tlc cOst Oh introducing
Tempeton to the editors in this city, and others
are charges for writing musical puiIs of Temple
ton, in the Herald the Courier & Enquirer. the Err
press, Epening Post, and probably other papers.
One of our law reporters, in the pursuit of his dali
ly avocatons, made this extraordinary discovery
and found that certain persons in this city, had ac
tuay sold the services and influence of the editor
OF this and other papers, in the shape of theatre
cal pufS without THAR laJo
Attempts had thus been made secretly TO
dupe Templeton, and to affect to sell to him the
influence Of all the principal papers in this city,
OF any reputation, and to charge him for the in
fuence OF these papers, the same as one would
sell negro IN the New Orleans market The
evidence that these attempts were made is now
on the records OF Court Of law in this city
Thus much to-day in this singular and amusing
affair between Templeton and the black mail
confederacy of the small critics who are attached
10 portion OF the disrepuable press of this CITY.
Whatwc have SAID in this matter, we have evil
dence IN our possession TO prove-cvidence exist
ing on the records of one of our Judicial tribunals
A full exposure of the attempt of this dsrepu,a.
bic and unprincipled set OF men, will reveal to the
world one of the most impudent and amusing
movements 10 levy black mail on an artist that
we have ever heard OF. We have no doubt
whatever of the truth OF these matters, for we
know that similar attempts have been made upon
every great artist, musician or actor, who has
come to New York. We have heard great dea
OF black mail, and many charges of black
mail, during the last two or three years.
We have now the evidence in our possession
which goes TO prove that there is a black mail con-
federacy connected with certain portions of the
press OF this city and when all the circumstances
are revealed the true LEVERS Of black mail will; he
exhibited TO the world.
Tho efforts made by these men to destroy TEN.
piston, because he would not submit to HE e,,or,
.'.