The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-01-11
Politicians and the Press.

Gle IRON the Washington Union on the subject OF
Congressional corruption; and yesterday, he will
have found in the Congressional report the COM
plement of the article in the remarks made By
several members on the subject of newspapers
generally. The Union, referring more especially
to the New York Times and HERALD, considers
them both great rOgues and plunderers," a
pair of unmitgated scapegraces," "ntamous
Witnesses and does not think that the NEST
direct charge made in either would be sufficient
| 10 raise suspicion Of guilt" In like tone,
Mr.. Kelsey, member Of Congress from New York,
says, :" it would be a waste OF time to notice
newspaper articles" Mr.. Marshall, of Kentucky,
"does not wish to bring the New York papers
INTO that degree of responsibility which Congress
siopal action on their conduct would bestOw-
such contemplate things being unworthy of such
honor" Mr.. Campbell. Of Ohio, considers il '.uo-
becoming for Congress to inquire into charge
based solely on the idea that some penny-a-lmer
has seen fit to malign that body" Mr.. Walker,
OF Alabama, thinks that offending newspaper
correspondents should be simply expelled.
without Identifying them by an inquiry" Me-
Brenton, of Indiana, abiding to newspaper cor
respondents, says that ii any class of ndi-
viduals deserve to be treated with contempt, or
if DOT with contempt, with commiseration, it is
that poor miserable class who hang round this
hail in the shape Of demeuted fragments Of hui
manty, for the purpose of gathering up every
whisper and word and circulating it through the
land"
| Such is the language of the politicians at the
federal capital. We say the politicians, because
we do not admit that the Washington Union
forms any part or portion of the press of the
| United States. II is not newspaper, in any
| sense of the word. 1t is not an organ of public
| opinion. II never contains anything Of interest
TO Others than politicians, except what it steals
from the New York papers. The very news on
the strength of which it maligns them is tilched
| from their columns. II is mere political fly
sheet, the organ of certain cheraliers dnausrie,
who make living by fraud aud corruption in
connection with the lobby; tie trade circular"
so to speak Of the President, aud like OTHER trade
circulars, wen paid for lying in season. With
such sheet we can have 10 controversy.
OF the politicians who seized this occasion to
express their contempt aud hatred for the New
York press, all are, so to speak, unknown
but Mr.. Campbell of Ohio. He has feeble no.
torety among the republicans, founded chiefly on
newspaper puhs which he has procured TO be To-
serted in every paper whose editor he could APP
preach; but, still, he is young man, with bis
fortune 10 make. The others are positive stran-
gers. Mr.. Brenton, Of Indiana, Mr.. Kelsey, OF
" r.,
we wish we could say more about them; We hope
they have nothing to do with The Minnesota scheme
and the other rogueres of the day; but really
they are so obscure that the best informed cor
respondents know nothing about them. Then We
have Percy Walker, Of Alabama. and A. N.
Marshall, OF kentucky, both Know Nothings, II
they have not turned their coats--who on earth
knows any thing about Percy Walker and A. X.
Marshall? Where can we find out something
about them that shall eplighten us upon their
standing. antocedents and character? II is
worse than seeking needles in bundles of hay 10
look up such wonderfully microscopic statesmen
as these.
We incline TO think that these budding Con-
gressmcn have adopted the idea of attacking the
New York press from calculation, in order to be
abused into notoriety. II is a clever notion,
but young. In order to inlict wounl
| upon the New York press an assailant
must have some standing Mr., Marcy or Sena-
tor Seward might burt where your Brentons and
Marshalls only tickle Such tricks may answer
| in some counties in Alabama aud Kentucky,
where perhaps Brenton and Marshall are great
| men ; hit, bless them, We have 10 put dowa a
score OF PEOPLE Of their calibrc every week OF
! cur lives.
| These Young men, who are beginning their
| Congressional career will thank u some day for
. little advice We now give them. We advise
them TO talk less and think more. II IL not the
| case. as your Brentous and Narshalls and Walk
| eis seem to think. that man rises by mere talk
| ing BE- must be q worker and thinker to &C
quire real standing and public respect Nor is
il OF any use TO abuse the newspapers. 1t is all
very well for The few score Of country gcu,ie-
men who assemble at Washington every winter
to eject 10 despise the press But the older
they crow the more foolish they will discover
this 10 I've. In this country the pres is tue mir
ror ard focus Of popular sentiment abusing Il is
merely another form Of abusing democracy
And for the politicians 10 do 50 Il the height oi
folly, for they are ts creatures The young
men whose foolish expressions we have quoted
above will we trust live 10 learn that il is the
press which makes statesmen. and the press
which breaks them: ard that that press il wholly
situate in the city Of New York What ON
great men ere. ibat the New York press ha.
made them
GEN. CAss--Is liz, OR J. H. Nor A tele
graphic despatch which We received yesterday
from Hon. John Barney Washington, says thai
We shall receive Ivy mail statement Of fact
relative 10 the State Department from which Il