Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-01-23
4" Immoral Influence of the New York
Herald"

Immoral lnnuence OF In6 Now 1Ork
Herald"
Yesterday morning discussion took
place, at Sl4 Broadway Mozart HslD,
upon "The Immoral Influence of the
New York Herald"
Mr.. Cheney, editor of the Banner of
Light, led off the debate, taking the
ground that the influence of the Herald
was immoral. 1t has little or no regard
for the truth; it will support any man or
thing that pays" it supported Presi-
dent johnson until it saw the fall elec-
tions were going against the Admins
tration then the Herald switched off
on another track. Its great object has
always been for success, acting upon the
principle that the end justifes the
means. Such has been its history in the
past 1t pretends to be more respecta-
Bile at present. 1t now carps at the
smutty advertisements; yet, not many
years ago. there could be nothing too
dirty for its columns. Its immoral
character is shown by the eagerness
with which it picks mp all the filthy
stories and scandals of the day, and
circulates them. Young people are de-
moralized by reading such things. Re-
spectacle gentlemen will not allow the
Herald to enter their households. This
paper has sought to make money by the
most disreputabe means. When its ed
itor was cowhided by men, justly in
censed at the libels which be had pub
lshod about them, with unparalleled
impudence he published full account
of the affair because it made the paper
SELL Occasionally, when it suits its
purpose, the Herald makes great pre-
tense to purity and goodness, many un-
thinking persons are deceived, and thus
become poisoned. The Herald is used
as a vehicle for intrigues and love affairs
of all kinds, by which the peace of fami-
lies is destroy ed-but it pays" IL
seeks to be on the popular side, and
when morality is popular in New York,
the Herald is its organ. When it wants
TO accomplish a certain object it goes
ahead without regard to truth, deceney or
anything else. Every consideration of
honesty and morality is trampled
under foot In order to gain success. The
editor of the Herald requires his report
ers TO make certain reports of certain
meetings. They are ordered to blow up
this man, or praise that one, as the case
NAV be, and they have TO obey, or lose
their situations Such man ia not ex-
erclsins a moral influence IN the COM
munity. Talk about the immortality Of
the theatres, the Black Crook, etc, 1t is
only another instance of Satan abusing
sin, II it was ten times worse than the
Herald says It Is, il would be a model Of
purity compared with James Gordon
Bennett If the Herald has gained sue
cess, it is not on accOuat of tho talent of
its writer's. The World is edited with
far more ability than the Herald. IL is
a depraved taste that makes people like
the Herald; it is known all over the
country as the Satanic press. The
proper place for the Herald is the grog-
shop, the gambling house and the house
Of III fame. People who frequent those
places are almost invariahly warm advO-
Gates Of that journal Tho Herald has
always been conducted on the blackmail- |
ing system. When Fanny Elsler came
to the United States, thousands and /
thousands Of dollars were paid 70 Ben /
nett 10 engage him to support her. When I
she went t. New Orleans the irst copy /
Of the Herald that reached that city was
full Of abuse Of poor Fanny, and she had /
to 20 and buy q up again, for in those /
days the Herald had some influence;
but It has long since lost H. Any paper |
that is in the market 20 be bought up /
by the highest bidder, must have an i'm /
moral influence. Il will advocate any
thing that will pay for It's praise. The
Blosk Crook would not pay enough, 90
il is denounced. Because BarHum got