The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-01-01
Books AND BOOKSELLERS "A DECLARATION OF

Books AND BOOKSELLERS "A DECLARATION OF
INDEPENpENCE.-We request the booksellers
Messrs Harper & Co., Appleton s. Co., Wiley s.
Putnam, Berford & Co., Burgess & Co., and all
other booksellers, here and elsewhere, who have
been in the habit Of sending new publications
gratuitously to this ofice-te cease the practice
after this day, and send no more of their works
to us. IF the booksellers and others publish
works of merit and talent, which worth the
money charged for them, we shall purchase them
for ourselves, and save them the trouble of
making US any presents, under the expectation
that we are to give them notice Of any kind in
this journal.
For many years past il has been the habit OF
booksellers, here and elsewhere, to present to
the editor Of every journal-daily and week.
ly-a copy of their new publications, under the
expectation of receiving a favorable notice,
or puff, as it is called, for such kind presents
In consequence of this practice, great deal OF
the light literature OF the day, which presents
no Characteristic but that of unmitigated trash,
has been pulled aud praised by all our principal
journalists and there is no channel now
whereby the public can get correct and lnde-
pendent opinion on the merits of new publlca-
tons. We have no doubt those respectable
book sellers and publishers issue many valuable
works, honorable to themselves, creditable to
the age, and favorable to the progress OF the
people and the nation, in the arts, in greatness,
and in virtue. For these publications they de-
serve great credit, and we shall always be glad
to purchase such works, and pay for them the
fair price of the trade but while we award this
merit to these publishing gentlemen, 1t must be
admitted that vast quantity of the most shock
ing trash in the shape of literature, and opposed
to virtue, has also been issued which has been
praised and pulled in the newspapers, without
stint or measure.
Now we conceive that any journal which
| unites in such movement as this, unites in a
work calculated to injure the present and future
generations; to impair the progress of clviliza'
ton to affect the source Of virtue and true relI-
gion, and to SOW the seeds of national decline,
degradation, and ultimately dissolution. We
will no longer do any such practices, and,
therefore, we declare our independence of all
booksellers and all publishers, and shall hereafter,
when their works deserve netice, treat them
on our own responsibility to one, and do so In
perfect fairness and independence, while tras h,
from any quarter, shall receive the proper and
Just castigation due from its pretences, its folly,
its stupidity, or its injurious effects on society.
ars- Ouy. contemporary of the Courier & En-
quirer, instead of meeting us face to face by a
front movement, to discuss the gloomy financial
elements gathering round the banks OF the coun'
try. attempts to turn round and laugh at all oul
views, having been furnished with some of the
shafts of his ridicule by the sprghtly chevaliel
of the French paper, called the Courier des
Efats Unis.
Our statement, describing the policy of France
and England, in the present crisis of Commercial
affairs in Europe, merely spoke OF that pole,
as being subsidiary, and an indication of the
general truth Of the feelings entertained by both
of them towards this country. There can be nj
doubt, however, that neither jokes nor an,
other kind of small artillery, can destroy the
truth of our statement.
No doubt the people Of France, and even o
England take deep interest in the prosperity o
the people of the United States. But that int
rest is quite different in the minds of the govern
ing dynasties of those nations, towards the he
public of the United States. We shall hav
much more to say on these points at very earl
, day.
, Mail Failures
The Southern mail due st kichmon9 on the 2otf
: failed to reach there on that day. NJ
AtSavannsh, Ga, on the 2ist Dec. no nIAwas n
osived from north Of Richmond, Va ~ =
At Cincinnati, on the 22d, Eastern papers
xA~~~ k~~k liz ~wnpa