The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-06-19
The Death Of Henry j. Observation-Disclosures
Journalism.

|
| Journalism.
One Of the central lights of the New York
daily press has been suddenly extinguished.
Henry j. Raymond, late the active head
and controlling mind of the Times, is no more.
The circumstances of his death yesterday
morning and the leading events of his public
career we give elsewhere in these columns.
In the prime of life, and apparently possessing
| physical constitution mistaken by his active
public iabors of quarter of a century, the
announcement of his death was somewhat
startling, as another unlocked for admoniton
of the uncertainties of this earthly existence.
He leaves behind him the reputation of bril-
liant speaker, an able and accomplished writer,
good, experienced and successful journalist,
a respected neighbor and useful citizen. His
name is conspicuous in that distinguished cata-
| logue of 'self-made men," who, by dint OF
their individual energy, tact, industry and
perseverance, have risen from poverty and
| obscurity to influence and aflluence. His ex-
ample will be an encouragement to others
setting excelsor-from the valley Of
| humiliation for the distant tablelands of
distinction and prosperity.
The history of Mr.. Raymond, however, is
but the history of many others who have
climbed from obscurity to distinction, varying
only in its details. He came to this city a
poor youth, seeking employment He chose
the career of journalist, with an eye to prac-
teal results, and made it a success. His pre-
lminary training as reporter and sub-edtor
qualified him for the undertaking of new
daily on his own account. He was fortunate, too,
in the opening presented OS5D for the Times.
At that period the demand for morning newspa-
pers in the city was greater than the supply. The
! machinery and facilities of the HERALD estab-
lishment, for instance, were not equal to the
mornings demand for the HERALD at that
day. The surplus of readers unsupplied Of
fered fair margin for a new journal, which
it was the good fortune of the Times to seize
upon, and in bringing forward this new journal
Mr. Raymond's experience had taught him to
abandon the old school of the old stage coach
and sailing ship epoch of the Courier and En-
Quirer and to fall in with the new school ofthe
HERALD, of the new epoch of steamships and
railways The Times was established on the
HERALD idea of the latest news, and, az Mr.
Raymond comprehended it, upon the HERALD
idea of editorial independence. We had, in
fact, opened a new placer regular White
Pine silver mne-and numerous diggers I'M
dertook to work the vein at various points
Thus the Times came into the field, and from
&oI
paper it gradually built up constituency of
its own and became an established success.
But had we possessed in 1851 our lightning
presses and stereotyping facilities of the pre-
sent day there would have been no opening
for the Times, as there is no opening here now
for new morning newspaper except upon au
enormous outlay OF capital, with the hazards
of heavy losses for year or two and then
collapse.
The costly machinery and appliances of
modern journalism give security to estab-
lished popular newspapers which did not exist
in the primary formation. Thus a morning
daily, established upon all these modern i'm
provements and advantages, becomes a fixed
institution, to be transmitted from one genera
ton of conductors and readers to another.
Hence we may conclude that the Times,
Notwithstanding the death of Mr.. Raymond,
will go on as before, and that ere
long his son, now at Yale College, will put on
the harness and worthily maintain the editorial
status Of his father, with the continued pros
perity Of his paper. From this modern school
of iaho uop,,1ar ;o,, L. - IL o,uououx
too, that as the whole newspaper press of the
country has improved, and is improving, it
will still advance with the spirit, the progress
and the requirements of the age.
But there is another lesson suggested from
Mr.. Raymond's career which is worthy of some
attention. lie was politician as well as
journalist, and in attempting to subordinate
his functions as journalist to his aspirations
as party politician he failed in both charac-
tiers. 'No man can serve two masters" Mr..
Raymond pushed the experiment to the wall
but, driven at last to choice, he wisely aban-
doned the rifle of an aspiring party politician
for that of the untrammeed editor. The
wisdom, however, of the HERALDs example
of standing aloof from intriguing and treacher-
Gus party politicians he had to learn from
dear experience. ''Old Thad Stevens" set
tied the question, and evidently satisfied Mr..
Raymond that even in conducting party
journal which pays it is unsafe to have any
other irons in the fire. In the line in which
he was successful, and in the political party
adventures in which he failed, there are valu-
able lessons for newspaper men, while in his
general editorial course of moderation, dig
nifty, courtesy and refinement his example will
command universal respect. Indeed, it would
be well If with the public press IL were the
universal law.
The Chronic Disease OF Mexico.