Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-07-06
New York Correspondence Chicago JOurnal.I
"reminiscences of the late Henry ].
RAYMOND,


Mr., Raymond was what many of his con-
temporaries are not, a man of gentlemanly
instincts and associations. He was always
neat and tidy in his appearance, and endeavor-
ed to impart gentlemauly air to the Times
establishment and newspaper. The Times
was the first of the New York papers to
provide its editors with pleasant rooms in
which to labor. While for years the attaches
have had handsome carpeted apartments, those
of the Tribune, across the way, have been
huddled together like so many siieepin pen.
Mr. Raymond has always labofed to keep his
paper free from the hitter personal attacks
which SO often disgrace journalism. The
Times has invariably been noted for the cour-
tcots manner in which it has conducted con-
troversies. 1t has been of all other papers
here the gentlemen's newspaper, and has been
regarded as such.
HARD WORKER.
Mr. Raymond, until within four or five
years, was a prodigious worker. Horace
Greeley us,d to say that he was the only per-
son he ever had to caution against overwork.
He Was, when reporter, known as the
smartest and most reliable reporter on the New
York papers. By nature lie was fitted for
journalist, entering with heart and soul into
the excitement of daily newspaper life. lie
contcnporaries. l shall never forget the
twinkle in his eye and the look Of pleasure
which rested on his countenance when came
into the Times office, one morning in 1862,
with tho first intelligence OF the los of Hur-
pcr's Ferry, together with thirteen thousand
men aud some sixty cannon. had managed
to make my csccpe after the surrender under
cover of darkness. and reached the Times
office. dusty, secdy aud worn out after walking
all night aud riding the next day. Mr.. Ray
moud took ME at once into his private parlOr
and there remained with me until = late hour
in the night, after had finished writing the
account of the operations at the Ferry. AS
he took up page after puge of the manuscript,
he seemed already to be enjoying the beat
which the Times would show the next morn
| ing over its contemporaries in giving the first
! detailed account Of the surrender. Frequent
| ly l saw him on the extreme front during he
| Virginia campaigns, seeking to obtain the first
intelligence for his paper. Whenever be went
down to the theater of operations he would
| buckle into work with his atta"heS and labor
with them to get the latest news for his paper.
MANY reported feats of his are related. On
one occasion before the use of the telegraph
had become general, he reported one OF Web
ster's speeches in New England and came back
to New York the same mig hit on an engine
specially chartered for the purpose. But it
was at the battle of Solferino that he purtic
ularIy distinguished himself as an enterprisiDg
reporter. Riding from the battlefield as fast
as his horses legs could carry him he fastened
to Paris, thence to England, and got off his
very long and graphic account of the battle
one week in advance of all competitions
With his letter for the Times arrived the Lon
don papers but they gave no details OF the
battle, the accounts of Russell and other Eng
lsh correspondents not appearing in the Times
and other London papers until the next day
alter the steamer sailed. The New York
Times New York contemporaries were con-
sequently compelled to rely upon MIR. Ray
mond's long letter for details. 1t furnished
all the American newspapers with the facts OF
the battle, and made decided reputation for
the paper. Soon after, the Tines announced
in flaming placards that Mr.. Raymond would
continue TO excel all other correspondents in
the Crmea, but the war suddenly terminated
and he returned.