The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-01-27


From the Democratic Review for January.l
THE HERALD-ONwARD.
The democratic party has learned another lesson.
that when clques and factions, working to fasten old
fogy mortgages upon the party for the advancement
only OF personal and selfish aims, threaten the de-
struction Of the party and the Union the surest road
to victory is to spring upon the public mind great
national questions, for then it will be seen how
readily and joyousy all will strain like brothers to
that while ali oned ian this Ii I seat issue we're
most indebted to one great power OF leverage, OF
conquest, of salutary control after conquest-the
press. For the mere fact that the Democratic Re-
Uie'c, first in time declared and maintained these
issues, we do not care to claim credit. Without
the aid of the daily press efforts would have been
wholly unsuccessful. And foremost Of the support
ers of the new policy, and Of the election Of our
President elect has been Mr.. Bennett, of the NEW
YORK HERALD.
What paternal loins may have begotten Mr.. Ben
nett it is not for our democratic creed to inquire
sented will prove that he is descended from vigor
GUS ancestry. Every lineament 'gives the world
assurance Of man." But if we know anything
about American newspapers as we certainly know
nothing about American heraldry, Mr.. Benefits
HERALD Is the nearest model of an American news
paper which has yet been attained. newspaper
we take to be, in its true purposes the exact reflex
for the moment of the mind and the mood of the
community for whom it is published. If it become
the persistent advocate of any idea after that idea
has ceased to be matter of interest to the commu-
nifty, then it ceases to be newspaper-becomes the
muttering mouthpiece OF an individual or the in
trusive organ OF person or OF clique. II IL yapo-
rise about ideas which are nonexisent then it sinks
back to a resurrection, commits itself to an alb
stract theory. Now none of these faults have been
chargeable to the New YORK HERALD it neither
negaes what is, denies events, rehabilitates the
ashes of resurrection. 1t cannot safely as news
paper, commit itself irrevocaby to what is passing
away nor anticipate what is inevitable. A news
paper should have brains enough to know when it is
n
opinion is prepared to discard the 0ld-and such
paCity has the HERALD.
For general editication and by way of contrast,
we would introduce to the reader antiquated de-
linquent past all reform or recovery, named the
Washington Union, alias as equivocal people al
ways have an alias, the Silent Friend, or Fogy's
Assistant ard General Vade Mecum. We are at
loss to know whom it represents, If it be not the
retrograde party impersonated by William l.. Marcy,
whom we regard as the antipodes of the party of
Young America in all respects. He has not the
merit Of being even conservative, but is sure by
backward step to break up the organization Of any
party whose interests may be con6ded to his lead.
Elected Governor of New York by a triumphant
majority, he was dismissed from it by larger one;
and while Governor and Secretary OF War c0ntrived
to get the party in this State into the widest conu
sion. He has been the opponent Of every demo-
cratic measure Of importance until it was esta-
blished in spite of him. As in the case of the SUBJ
treasury and Mr.. Walkers tariff. In consistency
with his hesitatng course he was anxious to with
draw the troops from Mexico in the middle of the
war He is now making the effort to connect him
self with the incoming administration. But bis
course, heretofore, has shown that it is inherent
vice OF his organization to abuse the responsible
trust of power. And his late occupation at Wash
ington in the prosecution of Mexican claims at least
as doubtful as Gardeners the same time boring the
members Of Congress for an increase Of the duties
on IRON are little in harmony with the lofty direct
ness which should be pursued by selEconstituted
candidate for a cabinet appointment. Whether or
not the Union be, as would seem, the organ of Mr..
Marcy Washington city is in any point Of conside-
ration not the place for an organ of the democratic
party. 1t is better, indeed, that newspaper pub
lished there should confine itself to chronicle Of
events rather than be putting candidates for cabinet
Offices and trimming the plumes Of certain ambi-
tous members Of Congress. 1t is not possible for
the democracy to be truly represented in the dis
tOrted mirrors manufactured at Washington city.
This organ," in fact, has displayed deep anxiety to
be the organ of anybody who will "resist the pro-
gress of democracy" as that seems to be the bug
bear Of fools everywhere. and failing Of better or
worse takes up General Cass with will and essays
strenuously to anticipate and check the incoming ad
b yell nt ss i etsE% q 500 $1,000
had an idea in its venerable head, that it never
said nothing with discretion or propriety.
and cannot open its mouth without exposing itself.
Upon the heroic deeds Of the gentleman who
went through enormous exploits in search
OF hfty cents to pay for one patch upon
his breeches it is certainly didactic, eloquent,
and milstonian. In frowning down our foreign rela.
It'll determined it will not know, it is grand and
truly impressive. Foreign relations! indeed! new
ideas, sr-noisy humbug sir-treason to the party
SIR. No country in the world sir, but these United
Statesdemocratie party never, sir, never knew any,
thing about foreign relations In such discreet Ian
guage does it discourse grave important subjects
Yet such is the organ of the fogy interests of the
democratic party.
How different from all this is the NEW York
HERALD! Never hesitating at new idea till the
vanguard has carried the outposts of the oppo
site party and success is probable-never cling
ing to an old and broken squad of ideas once
they have been thoroughly beaten-it is original
without being fanatic; liberal, but not anarchc; con-
sentative generally but never irreclaimably des-
p0tc Its editor seems to know better than any man
the theory OF "in medic tuissimus ibis" or 'the
middle OF the road is no ditch. Mr.. b. is always
.'safe.' Other papers may live upon the public
breast, Mr. Bennett i wholly indebted for his wealth
and power to himself and his resources. He may be
justly considered the pubicist general of the main
body OF the democratic party for the HERALD is vr
tualy the organ Of that party, and more perceptve
and nd more powerful as an organ, than any in the
with the London Times it is immaculate; compared
with its contemporary, the Tribune, it is white it is
more-it is genial, eiratic like kitten or widow,
but never malicious and always graceful. Its style
make possible Of reading the morning newspaper
editorial, and may be considered a hybrid between
Attic wit and slang whangng Take it on any subject
and it always prepared; and decidedly paper can
Vlc suDJcct W Tie very opposite WIN SO
much alacrity or more grace. Contemptuous
as to personalities, severe as Timon upon
individuals, no organ has ever adhered so
consistently and With such far-seeing wisdom
to the great elemental principles of democracy
There have not been wanting insidious critics, who
have carped at Mr. Benefits glory in this particular
and attributed as fault to him that he has general
ly supported the successful side. The first necessity
in politics is to know that the right side is going to
win and that honesty is the best policy the next to
take enlightened advantage of it.
if Mr. Bennett is remarkable for any one point of
greatness as an editor more than another it is for
the aptitude with which he can attack an ndiyidu.
al and maintain the identical principles of the ind-
vidual whom he attacks No editor in the United
States, while single doubt remained as to the vic
tolious capacities of Young America ever abused us
SO thoroughly, or 50 consistently, as Mr.. Bennett. |
But the principles we advocated were thereby push
cd INTO publicity The unmeasured abuse awoke the |
ssympathles of the patriotic, and increased the GER