The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1859-04-28
JOS. GALES, OF WASHINGTON

I OF an interview WllH MI. Ndltss tHo be-
nior editor of tho National Intelligent
Ger. The Office of the Intelligoncor is an
humble and unpretendiug brick build
| ing, only two stories in height, but with
a venerable and substantial air. On the
| whole, it is not as imposing q structure
as the White House, but whilst I have
passed the White House several times
a day, I have never felt the least curl
| osity or dcsiro to enter it. have no
! disrespoct for tho present occupant, but
! I have n much greater respect for such
/ men as Joseph Gales than for all the Of
| fce-holders of the United States put to-
gother The press has become the
fourth estate Of tho realm, and at tho
| head Of this estate Mr.. Gales is iuthron-
ed, a monarch worthy Of dominion, be-
fore which the power Of kings and aris-
tocracies is turning pale and passing
away.
had expected to find Mr.. Gales,
who has now reached his three score
years and ten, somewhat infrm, but was
greatly pleased to find him 10 good
health and excellent spirits Except
the inability to use his right hand,
Cfrom a neuralgia affection which com
pels him to employ an amanuensis, his
editorial vigor and efficiency are in no
degree abatod. I found him in his
sanctum, a neat apartment in the upper
story, adorned and made useful by
| library of choice volumes, and having to
my eyes a most impressive aspect, as the
| field of labor for so many years Of the
editor Of the National Intelligence
Mr.. Gales is in stature about five feet
nine, very stout, with grey hair, (once
I am told it was as black as the raven,)
and a black eve still beaming with
thought and animation. In social in
tercourse he is one of the most easy
and cordial of gentlemen, and his con-
versstion is so replete with the blended
charms of good sense, good manners
and geuiality Of soul, that l found 1t
hard to break away and cease to en-
croach upon his valuable time.
Hanging upon the wall in frame,
was a small and ancient newspaper, to
which Mr. Gales directed my attention.
II was the first number Of the National
Tntelligencer, which, judging from my
eye, would measure about fifteen by
twenty -four inches! I need not 0ay
with what interest I looked upon this
seed Of the great tree that has since,
in its strength and dignity, Overshad-
owed all the other trees of the forest
The National Intelligcncer was first
established in 1900 by Samuel Harrison
Smith. Mr.. Gales came to Washington
in 1907, at which time he became con-
nected with the Intclligcnoer as Con-
gressioual reporter, Alta subsequent
period he purchased the establishment
of Mr. Smith, and some years after, his
partner, Mr.. Seaton, (now in Europe
became associated with him. What
kind of a paper the Intelligencer is, the
country daily sees, and l need not de-
scribe In its uniform dignity, and the
calm, dispassionate manner in which it
discusses the most exciting topics, it has
no equal in the world. Great Britain
cannot produce its equal. The proud
est and most courteous peer of Parlia-
ment could not more carefully observe
the proprieties of debate than this high
toned and manly journal. If you may
judge a man by his companions, you
may judge a paper by its readers; and
you have only to 90 through the coun-
try and observe what manner Of men
the readers of the National Intelligen-
Ger are, to know something of the char
acter of that paper. They are almost al
ways men of education, intelligence, and
of high political and social influence
1t was once remarked by wit, that if a
man were found ad in the road, and
no one knew anything about him, yet
if copy of the National Intelligencer
were found in his pocket, it would be
prima facie evidence that be was q gem
tleman.
But Joseph Gales is moro than a
great editor. He is one of the frst
statesmen of the land, aud has shared
the counsels and the respect Of the
! Wing party. If he has not been seen
upon the rostrum, he has been always at
the helm; a Palinurus, whose steady
hand ever guided the ship in safe
channel, and whose eye was as bright
las the stars, and, unlike them, never
shadowod by clouds. Clay, Webster,
Crittendcn, ever entertained the great
est respect for the solid judgment Of the
veteran Gales. In his next book on
"Party Leaders" joe. Baldwin ought
to give us the sketch Of the editor Of the
National Intelligoncer, whose serene
wisdom, whose vigorous pen, and sound
political Judgment, have for so many
years guided, strengthened and sustain
cd a great party. For how many years
has tho National Intelligeucor been a
vast armory, from which Wing chieftainl
and Congressman have obtained ideas
facts and arguments to sustain their
cause in Congress and before the couu,
! tryl How rarely during its whole OK
istenco, has that paper ever taken a po-
sition, which, however unpopular at the
time was not afterwards sustained by
the enlightened public sentiment Of the
| American people?
1t is pleasing to learn that in bonevo-
lence Of character, this truly great man
is as eminently distinguished as by his
fine intellectual qualities. A more com
passionate heart never beat, q more lib
oral hand was never opened TO the ap-
peals of suffering humanity Cores
pondent Of the Richmond Dispatch.
4. -tor-
/ Absence destroys small passions and
increases great onesi as the wind extiu-