Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-04-25
London Times es-Amorican Rivals

London Times American Rivals.
From the N. A. LEDGER
The leading New York dailies are al
laboring to become to the United States
what the Times is to England; but o.
their success in this respect there is nj
human probability. The Times is moi
the growth of year or of a generation
Three John Walters-grandfather, father
and son-have been its owners from the
time of its establishment; and all seem
to have been peculiarly adapted to the
position which they were called upon to
Fill. The Times has been distinguished
by one popularity in its entire history
It has never failed to discern any change
in public sentiment, and to embrace the
popular side. Thus, though often, and
justly, charged with inconsistency, it has
never failed to be on the popular side OF
all questions that have occupied the at.
tention of British politicians and people.
Coming into existence about the time OF
the first French revolution, it exercised
a tremendous influence in reconciling the
people of Great Britain to the sacrifices
they were called upon TO make in at
tempting to stem the tide Of Napoleon S
successes. In this, however, it but gave
expression to the national sentiment,
though there was powerful and noisy
party that sympathized with the French
Jacobins
The Times has turned some very sud-
den somersaults. The most remarkable
in our own recollection is that regarding
free trade A few comparatively young
men Of the Manchester school, at the
head of whom stood Richard Golden and
John Bright, had been agitating in favor
of repeal of the corn laws and the open
ing of the ports to foreign breadstuifs
Sir Robert Peel and Tory administra-
ton we're in office The landed proprie-
tors felt secure in their protection,
and cared little for Golden, Bright, and
their big meetings. But they were star
tied from their propriety one morning
when the Times, in ponderons leader,
announced its abandonment of the landed
interest and its espousal of free trade in
corn. Sir Robert Peel took the same
ground and introduced his famous slid
ing scale" measure. The land owners
reeled under the blow, the free trade bill
passed. and cheap bread triumphed
The Times had the sagacity to discover
that the antiquated humbug of "protec-
ton had had its day
1t is not alone by its trenchant edito-
rals that the THINGS has won its celebrity.
1t has, from its very infancy, exhibited
remarkable energy in procuring news
from all quarters of the world, and is
generally sought after on that account.
1t has, also, as its correspondents at the
various capitals, the very ablest and best
informed writer's, to whom it pays the
most liberal salaries This is very
important matter to a European journal,
because the relations between the various
governments are SO intricate that 1t is
highly important that every politician
and public man should keep almost as
thoroughly posted as to what is going
on at Vienna, Berlin, and Florence, as
in London. The correspondents of the
Times = thorough gentlemen, accom-
plished linguists, and able writers-fur-
nish this much-needed information.
1t will be seen at glance that no
American newspaper can become to this
country what the Times is to England.
In the first place, our papers are not
only political but partisan, and it would
be utterly impossible for any great
journal to suddenly change its political
associations and carry with it any CON
siderable number of its former adherents.
The New York Herald, it is true, tries
to ape the Times in this respect, but 1t
carries with it little influence. While
every Englishman believes the Times, no
American believes the Herald or cares
much for its opinions, which are as va
riable as the wind Nor do our people
place so high an estimate on what is
transpiring in other nations. Our po-
sition is so isolated, our own country is
so vast, our system so entirley different
from theirs, we are so little to be affected
by thei- policy, that We care little for
the intrigues of foreign courts.
Nor would our people be willing to
take the ipse dirn of any one newspaper
as conclusive on moOted questions OF
great public concern, as the English
seem to take the Times There is more
independence of thought and action on
such subjects in this country than IN
England, and more in England than on
the continent. People want to deliber-
ate and think for themselves instead of
allowing a single newspaper to do It for
them. While, therefore, we may have
able and enterprising papers, there is no
danger that any one of them will even
come to be regarded as an unerring guide
on all great questions, and to be bhndly
followed by our people; and we think It
heftnr thnf Il shnnlh he so