The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-30

VI VIC uayp nVne 10 moT6 PA0s"Ae"s ''s's-
that the life of q newspaper correspondent is
one ofthe most delightful that the MUD can con-
ceive or the heart can wish. People generally
believe that the special representative OF a
leading journal, either in London, or Paris, or
New York-and there are really no journals
worthy the name anywhere else-is teted,
honored and petted over and above all ordi-
nary mortals; that his journeys are after the
manner of triumphal marches; that for
him the fatted calf is always killed, and
that his bed is one Of roses, violets,
and all manner of sweet and plea
SAINT things. AS rule the truth is
quite the reverse of all this. The life of
especial" correspondent, with its trials its Diff
culties, its tedious journeys by day and vigils
by night, has yet to be described AT every
step the especial" is encountered by the inso-
lence Of Office or the rudeness Of the mob. He
must be in half dozen places at the same
moment, and should have dozen eyes and a
hundred hands. In the midst of the greatest
excitement he must be careful to keep his tenn
per in sort Of moral refrigerator; otherwise
he is liable to make serious blunders, and mis-
lead the public. A rara avis in terris is your
thoroughly competent special correspondent
The institution itself is quite new.
five are not greatly mistaken, the first special
correspondents despatched upon very important
missions were those employed by the New York
and New Orleans journals during the Mexican
war. Some of these correspondents were at
tached to the army and navy, and the govern
ment was so much exercised at being obliged
to receive the news Of the operations of its
forces through such irresponsible sources as
the newspapers, that it prohibited officers
of the united service from contributing to
their columns. This action did not, however,
remedy the matter. We received the news as
before, in advance of the government. During
the memorable events of lS4s, the London
journals employed special correspondents at
all important points, and the true history Of
the uprising of the European peoples is to be
found only in the files Of the Times and other
British journals. During the Crimean war the
newspaper correspondent was first recognized
by the military authorities, the representa-
tive of one of the leading papers being
placed on the general staff, with the rank
Of Major. Subsequently, when the cor
respondents had ventilated the corruptions,
abuses and general ineiiciency of the Com
missariat and Quartermasters Department,
an Intellectual attempt was made by Lord Rag
Ian to snub the newspaper men. During the
late Italian campaign, ending with the battle
Of Solferino, newspaper correspondents were
plentiful in Lombardy. The London Neus
states that correspondent of that journal and
a representative Of the New YORK HERALD,
having yentured within the Austrian lines,
were taken prisoners. The French correspon-
dents were not permitted to follow the army,
but the British and American journalists were
always found In the advance, taking notes
with the sang .froid Of men who had
smelled powder from their infancy up. During
the Chinese war, which has just ended, the cap
ture of an advance party-one of the members
of which was the special correspondent Of the
London 7Smes--precipitated an attack upon
Pekin. which movement resulted in the capture
of that city and the destruction Of the Empe-
ror's palace. During Garibaldi's recent cam
paign the correspondents were attached TO the
Generals staf, and were treated with the
greatest consideration. The New YORK HERALD
had correspondents at the battle Of volturno
and at the siege Of Capua.
Thus II viii be seen that the newspaper cor
respondent has become enc Of the most import
ant requisites in modern warfare. We are no
longer compelled to wait for the Cry official
despatch, tinctured by prejudice, favoritism
or routine; but we have the clear, fresh, vivid
picture by man who describes an event part
of which he was, and all Of which he saw. In
this country the labors Of the special CORES
pendent are even more onerous than in Europe
There, If taken prisoner, he is considered as
neutral Power, is we'll treated and released
Here, when be imagines himself in bis own
country, among his fellow citizens and engaged
in a peaceful mission Of observation and In
curry, he finds himself las In the case Of one Of
.sss ~ss~Ah o~rviina correspondents, whose
narrative we print elsewhere) In danger |
of violence at the hands Of the mob,
who seem to take IL for granted that because
a man comes from the North he must necessari-
iy be negro thief or an instigator Of servile
instructions. II win be as well for US to
know whether we are sending out correspon-
dents into hostile or friendly country. In
either case they will be sent, and will labor to
discharge their duties faithfully, without pre-
judice to any party or faction. 1t Is as i'm
portant for the South as for the North
that the newspaper correspondents should
have every facility for the discharge Of
their duties.
The journalist Is the historian Of the
times, and he must have his material,
even If he Ii obliged to seek II ct the
lannon's mouth. Heretofore, both at home
and abroad, the journalists have been found In
the front Of the battle. And now, II we shall
be obliged TO the last resort Of nations, And to
draw the sword, the duties Of the special cor
respondent, although more dangerous than
ever, win be equally as well performed. The
press has become 80 important power In the
land that n cannot III IL would shrink frOm