The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-02-08

TIE CHEyAIIER WIKoFF ON THE REvo,U-
rIoN.- That eminent diplomatist, experienced
courtier and distinguished itterateur. tia
Cheva)ier Wikof, has been delivered of \
pamphlet upon the question of the day-the
revolution now going on in these United States.
Wikoffs pamphlet is clever melange of his
Tory (the history Of slavery philosophy, diplo-
macy, sentiment, patriotism and poetry. The
drift of bis argument is well enough, and he ar
riyes at the conclusion of all sensible men, that
slavery is benefcent institution, and that the
Union ought to be preserved at all hazards.
The pamphlet is addressed to the Chevalier's
old friend Palmerston, and was irst intended
for privase perusal II is now given to the
public as means of information upon the
topic of the day. The Chevalier's history Of
slavery, black and white, is very well written,
and in brief space comprehends great many
very curious tacts. The pamphlet puts the
whole question in a historical and statistical
nutshell, and it will be found very valuable as
book of ready reference.
The best part of Wikof's brochure, how
ever, is the portion devoted to the description
of the press in France England and the United
States The Chevalier's picture of the French
press is very well painted, but it is not the
French press Of to-day. The Emperor now
controls the journals with hand of iron, and
the French press is, therefore, without that in
herent power which springs from independence
alone. The French press which Wikof de-
scribes is the press which existed under Louis
Philippe, and which was free to discuss politi-
cal matters. In speaking Of the English press
Wikoff ignores all the London journals except
the Times, which he places on somewhat too
lofty pedestal The truth is that the position Of
the London Times as leading journal is purely
accidental. Other papers in London are as able.
as vigorous and as well written as the Times
But the Times is the most eager and earnest Of
all the English journals in the pursuit Of news,
and it has grown up with London as the
HERALD has with New York. The London
Times is reliable simply because the
government OF Great Britain is reliable.
When new ministry takes Office a
definite policy is marked out. The Times as
certains what this policy is in advance of any
other Journal, and gives it to the public imme-
dately. In Paris the newspapers are not per-
mtted to do this, and in this country the gov
eminent rarely has any especial line of policy,
and never adheres to one when once laid down.
The position of the London Times, then, is
just the came that leading journal in New
York or Paris would hold under similar
government and press regulations. There is
nothing so wonderful about the London Times,
per Sc 1t is powerful in foreign countries for
the reason we have given above, and it is the
leading journal of England because its vast
circulation and unlimited resources make it the
lord paramount of the British press and the
steadiness Of British institutions, both political
and commercial, renders the task of the jour
nalist comparatively easy. Here we never
know what day, or even an hour, may bring
forth
10 However, we do not intend to discuss this
| question; we have other and more interesting
matters on hand and therefore leave the Cheva-
| lier Wikoff to his friends in Printing House
square. His pamphlet viii repay perusal, and
serve two purposes-the enlightenment of the
public and the concealment Of WikofTs real
mission here as secret agent for the French and
English governments, to which he will undoubt-
edly transmit fuller and more reliable informa.
ton than they can obtain from their immediate
representatives at Washington