Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-08-15
rur urnALp ANp rHE ForuRE.

inattncuvoly espylnB luiu'o o'N"'
perhaps 10 this respect not one oil tn
human kind can pretend to rival the NE"
York Herald When the war was on the
very eve Of commencing, Il spoke many
brave 'Tords for the South. But very
soon seeing how fanAticism was getting
the upper hand, and that it would SWEEP
away all chances Of compromise, and
meant to rule or fight, that paper tackled
aboutR nd became the foremost champion
of cras hing the South, right or wrong
As the war progressed it was always up
with public sentiment in the North, and
for the aost part, in advance OF it. And
in all it's history il was always so. lthas
been uniformly, ever since its first estab'
lishme al by James Gordon Bennett, the
most agacious ofthe American press IN
seeing earliest which side the bread was
buttered," aud the most certainly and
persi ,tently consistent of all in taking
popu lar positions and promoting its
own Interests. 10 this consists its chief
merit, its greatness and the secret OF its
unriv, led success. 1t has never yet
erred or been foiled, or failed to see
what would serve its interests. 1t has
ever acted on policy and expediency-
never on principle. 1t was never known
TO stand by an unpopular doctrine, no
u.aster how wise, how true, or how i'm
portaut. 1t never established one truth
oy turning an erroneous public senti-
ment into right channel Itnever led,
bat always followed 1t was only the
first to see what turn things would take,
and TO place itself at the head of every
new movement. 1t could never be relied
ON as an exponent of truth and right
in anything. But rs a guide to deter
mine what was the coming public senti-
ment and what was TO become the popu-
lar doctrine of the day, it has always
been the most certain and accurate Of
all the journals of the country. And
hence, as it is more often the case that
individual men become rich by dishonest
practices, than by honesty and unwaver-
ing fidelity to high honor and right prin-
cipes, so it is with the noted editor of
this sometimes truthful, sometimes hon
est and most often lying and scandalous
journal. He has become immensely rich
and millionaire. nrr
For those who would prosper on no
principles or bad principles he is the
greatest, meanest master and model in
the world. It would be hard to find d
man who was not great at something.
Some are great prophets, some great phil
anthropists, some great patriots, some
great philosophers, authors, advocates.
teachers, discoveries, thinkers, poets,
generals, statesmen and rulers; and some
great liars, misers, rakes, towards,
thieves, dogs, 'possums, foxes and asses.
We shall put him down as the great
American Medicine man and fortune
teller-that fortune being his own. He
never fails to discover the signs of the
times, and, like the wild bird, fly north
or south, with certain instinct as TO what
weather impends. And who believes his
predictions and follows bis wing will be
quite sure to 20 the way the wind blows.
The Herald is now on the side Of the
President 1t is az augury of good to
the country. You may know it as GER
tainly as you know the summer is com
ing when the bird of passage takes it
flight TO the South. If this sign of a
change Of public sentiment fails, 1t will
be new thing to the shrewd genius of
the Herald. You need look no further
for what is coming. When that paper
fails to discover it, others may as well
give up trying.
Northern public sentiment is rapidly
changing. The people are coming to
their senses. Bennett sees it, and says:
The people Of the United States are
lust beginning 70 understand the intent
and possible effects of certain bills, par
ticulerly of the Tenure Of Office bill,
passed BY Congress over the veto Of the
President. Until very lately the Presi'
dent was supposed to be master, at least
Of the choice Of those constitutional advi-
sers Who form his Cabinet Not only
was this supposition favored by special
clause Of the Constitution, which, by in
ference. left the nomination Of those
snperior officers in his hands but by the
traditional custom which has hitherto
never been violated, even amidst the most
violent excitements Of partisanghip. No
Senate hes ever withheld its confirmation
from the choice made by President Of
the members Of his Cabinet But now
il is obvious that the Tenure Of Office
hill was expressly designed 10 interfere
with the Presidential authority, which
we see openly dsfed by Stanton, the
Secretary Of War, who counts upon
being sustained by Congress 10 the dis
courteous and unprecedented attitude
which be has assumed tOvarss the Exec
utive. Ia fact, that bill, with others,
must have been specially contrived for
the purpose Of virtually sbolishiug the
Executive authority. II cannot be de-
tended as constitutional, Tor the oonsti-
tuition definitely recognized the Execu-
tive. which IL IL the whole drift and ulti'
mate purpose Of these bills TO abolish.
The Radicals, indeed, do no. pretend 70
defena them as constitutional, but are
satisfied with claiming that they are
necessary part Of the revolutionary