The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-07-08
vhs MunielpsI Press ~ new York ana
the GoverDmont. - ~~--

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has gone by in the United States, and that the
dictation of those cliqnes and organizations,
which have maintained an almost uninterrupted
sway for over half q century has come to an
end. Fossils of bygone epoch, fail to COM
prehend this truth, and most of the blunders,
stupidites, and knaveries that are being com.
mitted in the political world, from day to day,
are the result of their ignorance. To read
such journals as the San, Times and Tribune,
on the one side, and the Daily Neps and Jour-
nal Of Commerce on the other, 1--WE do not name
the small fry evening papers which are Of no
| account), one would suppose that the great
revolution through which we are passing was
only intended to supply grist to the old mills
Of democracy and abolitionism, and that it is
to be exclusively contemplated from the point
Of view Of primary meetings, local patronage,
| and general clap-trap. Not one of these Or
gsns of defunct cliques, is alive to the i'm
portance of the vocation Of the press of this
metropolis, which, for over q quarter of Gen.
fury, has supplied the whole republic with
news and ideas, and has borne the burthea Of
toll and expense for their thousand rusty con.
cities, towns, aud villages Of the Union.
The independent press of New York has be-
come powerful fourth estate in the country,
far more influential and effective than any of
its rivals. Presidents, Cabinets and Congresses
pass away, but the visilant eye Of the journal
ism of this city ever watches; Its mental activi-
ty never relaxes; and the material means it
forces into its service cannot be exhausted. 1t
is perpetual popular representative, whose seq
sions are interrupted by 10 vacations, and
whose duty is curtailed within no periodical
Limits. Those who have disregarded it, and
failed to profit by its lessons, have, like poor
Pierce aud poor Buchanan, with their dema-
gcguic and corrupt surroundings, been either
"tallen upon and broken to pieces" or 1t has
"falleu upon them aud ground them to pow.
der" Both of Mr.. Lincoln's immediate prede.
cessors we're elected to office by the old demo-
cratic party. They lived AID moved in the
beaten track of an old, decrepit faction, and
despised the settings and uprisings of the
popular will, which were indicated by the New
York papers, and which foreboded the deluge
of the present hour Mr.. Lincoln himself was
elevated to Office in similar manner, by the
rotten opposition, arrayed, from greed of plum
der, in hostility to democracy; but it is to be
hoped that he will take warning by the fate of
those who have gone before him and not imi-
tate their errors.
1t curious and sad subject Of reflection
that, blinded and fsttered by the shackles 81
mean, qnpatriotio and shortsightsd cliauedom,
every single journal but one, in New York city
which advocated the election OF Mr.. Lincoln to
the Chief Magistracy of the United States,
is now engaged in undermining his
policy and decrying the efforts be
is making to preserve the integrity of the Union,
While the Journal Of Commerce AID Neeos, each
of which opposed his elevation to power, nstu.
rally persevere in their hostility to his admins
tration, from sheer incapacity to see any good
outside of their own, obsolete faction; the
Times, Sun, and Tribune, which advocated bis
claims previous to the 4th of March, now fill
their columns with diatribes against individu.
ais whom he has appointed to Office; sneers ct
the character, honesty and energy ofthe govern.
msnt; and jealous, malignant fings at the
manner In which the war is being conducted.
The key to the conduct Of these latter Is to be
found not only in disappointment In the be.
stowal Of patronage, and some real or fancied
wrongs under which they smart, but in that un-
principled shallowness, and puerile want of ap.
probation of the exigencies Of the Union and
Of civilization which has always been one Of
the worst features of mere party politicians.
The World is the only republican newspaper
in New York which supports the Lincoln I'D.
ministraNon; but it does 90 for the
mere sake of the patronage 1t receives,
and confines itself to blind adulation and
servilS subserviency, 90 evidently inspired
Ivy seifintoreut, that IL inspires disgust
aud contempt, and utterly fails in accomplish.
ing it's apparent object. But single journal
Of this metropolis has really possessed the in.
teliigence and uprightness to appreciate the
exact position of the government, and to award
to it the disinterested, discriminating praise It
has deserved. Opposed on general prin-
ciples last year, to the elevation to
Office Of Mr.. Lincoln, It has impair
TALLY criticised his acts ever since, and,
by its unprejudiced criticisms and the warm
encouragement it has bestowed, when the
public heart sympathized with his policy, done
more to sustain and uphold him than every
other influence in America put together. The
mere party press of New York is far behind
the age. 1t has either drifted into the position
of dishonest opposition, or superclious disdain
occupied by the organs Of the republican fac
ton, or else 1t expends its strength in empty,
unmeaning violence like the papers Of Ben.
Wood and Aminadab Sleek. The independent
journals alone comprehend their duty and are
resolute in performing it.
1<e --------------------
SHELVING OF OFFICERS OF EypERrENcE-
GENERAL WdoL.-We have received quite
80 number of communications asking us
for an explanation why in this hour of
the copntry's peril, and when there is
such need Of military talent and experience,
On officer like General Wool should be con-
denned to Inactivity We profess ourselves
unable to satisfy this inquiry. There is no