The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-07-10
The Leading New York Daily Newspaper
Press.

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The Leading New York Daily Newspaper
Press.
The newspaper press Of the United States
which has become system Of social, political
and religious common law, is the most remark
able institution of the age. Like the British
constitution, it has reached its present magni-
tude and power from the operations of public
sentiment, which it has consolidated, and of
which it is at once the vigilant sentinel, ad-
viser critique and representative. 1t is great
deliberative system, embracing within its range
all the relations Of life, the events of which are
carefuilyrecorded and published to the world.
The metropolitan press occupies the highest
place in this system; its position, its power and
its influence being undeniably greater than any
other. has reached it's elevated and controlling
destiny through the agency ola well known prin-
ciple of human action the tendency of men to
turn their thoughts and to render allegiance, so
to speak, to that point where the greatest posi-
tive influence is exerted upon the business rela-
tions of life. Particularly has this been the
case in modern society, where the commercial,
manufacturing and banking interests are seen to
exercise an almost absolute power over the d.
plomatic councils of nations. The mere move
ment of the political machine has little perma-
nent influence upon the public mind It's pow
er, though undeniably great as detached pc
litical lever, is too diffusive and uncertain,
too transient and changing to effect pervading
results. This accounts for the limited influence
Of the political press, and its utter failure to
represent for any length Of time any fixed
sentiment Of the people. 1t is fugitive in its
character, acting only in the midst of excite
ment, and although within a narrow circle,
winning the reputation Of consistency it is at the
expense Of independence, without which it is
impossible to assign it any other than an ad-
venturous rank.
The metropolitan press, by ITSELF has posi-
tive representative character. II is an institu-
ton exercising its Legitimate influence upon
the public sentiment Of the whole country, and
practically recognized as endowed with some
thing like appellate controversial powers, in its
reviews Of and decisions upon both local and
general subjects. The distinction between the
metropolitan and the country, or provincial
press, is defined by the general character Of the
former and the local or sectional attitude of the
latter. The office Of the country press is honor
able, for it exercises its limited powers in free
dom. Its actual position is more that of re-
porter to the metropolitan press, for its com
ments, though often seasonable and judicious,
seldom exert any positive influence upon the
public Judgment until the New York papers
have spoken.
There are five distinctive hues Of public
opinion in this country, assuming more or less
the character of fixed ideas. These may be
classified into the practical, the abstract, the
commercial and manufacturing, the mercantile
and the political Every days experience and
observation renders it more and more apparent
that these various elements of our system are
destined in time to form permanent divisions
of labor and of thought We speak of what is
likely to be, and not of what should be. 1t is
undoubtedly possible, in a season Of more ad-
vanced ideas, to harmonize every opposing
interest, so as to secure the common fortunes Of
all. The existence Of classes is always an evil
in society, but 1t is one which has ever existed,
and the removal of which can be counted on
only from the influence of more enlarged
view Of the true objects of life and of the rights
Of individuals.
The HERALD is eminently the representative
of the practical mind of America. Its whole
career has been one of entire independence
of every species of influence and control out
side Of the just relations of life. It's political
character is delineated by its adherence to the
constitution of the United States. It has looked
to the obligations Of that compact, and their en-
forcement in all the States, AZ the first and great
duty of the people. 1t is the organ of opinions
and principles, and not of men. 1t has never
maintained relations with parties, cliques, or
cabals. It's Identification with existing politi-
cal organizations has been that of an indepen-
dent advocacy on The one hand, and Of criticism
on the other. While the political press has
risen and fallen like the vapors of the atmos-
phcre, and with little less regularity the
HERALD has pursued the even tenor of its way
Beneath the tyranny of party there is an all.
pervadiDg, restless spirit of freedom, which
finds its chief qualification in bold phlosophic
reviews of men and things as they are. The
HERALD Ii the representative Of this spirit. Its
steady adherence TO constitutional forms-its
fearless defence Of what is just and practical
contradistiDgu,shed from what is specious, so.
phistical and atstract-its ready condemna-
ton Of mere theorists, embracing all that class
of mind which would enforce reforms through
legislative ,nac,msnts, are proofs OF this
1t maintains the integrity Of relative rights. It
derides the folly Of those who would present
conventional examples as means of moral
reform and regeneration. 1t would leave man
kind where the Almighty placed them-in
absolute freedom subject only to penalties for
injuries to the rights # Others. In this short
review Of the portion and the representative
character VI the HERALD, the secret Of it's