The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-27
Thc EnglIsh Press Upon America.

TIC Eng ism kreSS upon AmcFlcas
If there is an institution in the world which
claims to be model of propriety and deport-
ment it is the English press. 1t is. par ercel-
lence, the British Turveydrop; and most admira-
bly, it generally sustains the character. It's
ordinary issues arc SO dull that very few people
ever think of reading them; and dulness, &C
cording to English notions, is synonymous with
responsibility. Besides this the British press
never loses all opportunity to remind the public
that it is the model, and lectures, in heavy,
stupid way, every newspaper that attempts to
be lively and vivacious. By this dulness. by
these lectures, and by maintaining its anony-
nous character and making mystery about Its
editors, the English press has managed to main
tain reputation which it never deserved, aid
will never enjoy again.
Ore by one the different countries with which
England became complicated have been en-
lightcncd in regard to the true character of this
respectable cheat. Our turn has just come.
We are now discovering what other nations have
known long before, that the British press is the
meanest falsest and most despicable Of the
many fine old English humbugs. Its scholarly
airs and graces have all vanished. 1t has be-
come the mere trumpet of the mob and the
tool of shabby politicians. Has become so? 1t
has always been 50; only, as before it gave all
its harsh words to other people and reserved its
soft sawder for us, we Americans have just dis
covered the fact 1t is Jingle exposed. 1t is
Pecksniff found out. 1t is Mr.. Turveydrop dis
covered to be part knave and part fool. Every
once in while we have had hint Of its true
character, as we saw it doing dirty trick here
or meanness there; but now the mask is taken
off entirely, and we find that the great god Of
the English press, which so many people have
long worshipped, is nothing more than mere
chattering monkey. after all. Certain of our
American contemporaries, which have always
had great respect for the opinions Of the Eng
fish papers, and which have even gone SO far as
to initiate them in style and Typography, must
feel very much grieved at the discovery. The
HERALD is glad TO say that it has always been
the most prominent object of the attacks of the
English press simply because it has always
understood, exposed and ridiculed this great
British institution.
Has the English press ever rebuked American
journals for using coarse and vulgar language?
Read the extracts which we republish from our
English files, and mark what admirable taste is
displayed in the choice of words and phrases
there. A common scold, furious with passion
and inspired by bad gin, could use no worse
billingsgate than our English contemporaries.
Has the English press ever professed any regard
for this nation, and spoken of Washington in
honeyed terms: Read what it now says of us,
and how it speaks Of the Father Of his Country.
Remember, too, how the elegant and learned
Russell declared that the name of Hamilton
was never heard Of outside these States. Has
the English press ever virtuously lectured its
American rivals because they were controlled
by politicians? Pray, what controls the Eng
lish press now--as ever--but the agitation
raised by one party to get power, and the coun-
ter agitation excited by the Palmerstonians to
Keep power? Has the English press ever adj
Wis, I'd us to be moderate in tone and unpEeju-
diced>in debate? Observe how moderately and
mildly the English press speaks of this country
now, and with what a perfect absence of all
bias, prejudice and passion it calmly discusses
the technicalitSes OF international law involved
in the seizure o.f Mason and Slidell!
John Bull has long since given the lie to his
pretcnsions and, instead Of the bluff, hearty,
honest old buffer be represents himself, is re-
garded, the world yer, as mean. sneaking,
contemplate buster, VI. brave towards the
weak but cringng to IL Nc strong. The English
press is John Bulls fit exponent 1t reflects
him to a shade. and we an imagine it saying,
with ancient Pistol
kiss his dirty shoe. and from NY heart strings
love the lovely bully.
When this country was st ong the English
press praised ii and proudly 'iaimed chat we
were Of tie old stock, and that our greasness
added splendor - hnglaad's Clio ~. NO" ua'