The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-01-14


continually forcing us to augment our demands
on the mechanical skill Of the country, and
we rely confidently on the exhaustiess re-
sources of the inventive ability Of the Ameri'
can mind to enable us to meet the public re-
quirements Of us.
The causes which belong to its own growth
as journal exist in the HERALD to-day, as
fresh, as vigorous, as progressive, and as mex.
haustible, as they have been during its wonder
full career in the past. They have caused it to
become not only the first journal of this coun-
try, but have carried its presence and its in.
fdtnce wherever commerce spreads its sails,
or connection with the ideas of civilization
quickens the thoughts of men. In every cOun-
try Of Europe, in the distant marts of Africa
and Asia, throughout the rising communities Of
the Australian Archipelago on the pampas and
in the Andean valles Of South America, and
in ports of the Antilles, the New YORK HERALD
is found, read, and appreciated. We have
been accused of carrying the nations into war,
Of breaking up cabinets and governments of
creating revolutions in public opinion, Of caus.
ing financial panics and revulsions, which
have swept over two continents, of electing
and defeating Presidents, Legislatures and Go
vernors and Of supplying brains first to one
and then to the other Of the two great parties
struggling for supremacy in this country.
These accusations are direct recognitions Of
the power of the HERALD, and that power
springs from its independence, its truthful ap
probation of cause and effect, and its logical
discrimination and exposition Of the events of
the day as they rise. If we do supply ideas to
parties and to men, they are rendered to free
men who are at liberty to accept or reject them
as they choose; and the fact of their accept
auce by so large number proves that our
ileas are founded on truth, logically deduced,
and consonant with the mighty interests amid
which we move, act and reason. Were we,
like many four contemporaries, one idea men,
or given, as they are, to the installing of mole.
hills for mountains, and particularly for general
uses, our judgments and reasons would be of
a little effect, and our circulation and influence
a. limited as are theirs. But men appreciate our
independence of all minor influences, and the
directness and logical reason of our course.
The lessons which the growth and in
fuence of the HERALD teach are great
yet simple in their character. They show
that the independent press is becoming
a power not only in this country, but
throughout the world. Through it the gov
erned are beginning to exercise a constant
and watchful influence over rulers party
wirepulers cease to beguile the masses with
sham professions and platforms TO spit upon;"
scheming demagogues and corrupt officials are
held alike amenable, and it is rapidly becoming
one Of the great powers Of society and of the
State. But an Independent press can only exist
in large cities, where the wants of thousands of
individuals and the requirement Of great
commerce, shall give it the means of support
without regard to the wishes Of class or the in
trigues Of cliques. No other city than New
York would have afforded the means Of build
ing up an independent journal like the HERALD;
and through the HERALD and its example, New
York is producing revolution in the press Of
the whole world and exercising an influence
upon all the political parties of this country
which is rapidly making it as metropolitan in
politics as it is in trade.