The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-06-18


post Of managing editor Of the New York Tribune.
That sheet then in its infancy, and
he il said TO have done good service in increasing its
reputation. Greeley appears to have been the first
editor TO recognize the genius OF the man who was
destined 20 become subsequently sore thorn in his
side; and although they have been bitter antagonists
since and have differed as widely in their views as
It was possible for two men who belonged to the
same party 10 differ, their angry controversies will
pass into history rather Illustrations OF their skill
in uphoding their respective opinions, than as
truthful expositons of their real estimate OF each
other and Greeley, the survivor OF these con-
1icts, will be ready TO bedeck the grave of his
dead rival, as Raymond would have been TO pay a
fitting tribute TO the Nestor OF the Tribune, II fate
had decreed that he should be the first to enter the
portals Of eternity.
subsequently Raymond became the leading editor
OF the New York Courier and Enquirer while it was
under the control OF James Watson. Webb. While
ndustriousy engaged in the discharge of the duties
connected with this position, he was also acting as
reader for the firm Of Harper Brothers. those saga
cious publishers readily recognizing his fine literary
taste and accurate judgment. In 1S49 he elected
to the State Assembly. In 1850 he was reelected
and made Speaker, and about this time he relln-
quished his position on the New York Courier and
Enquirer, and, after short trip to Europe, he re-
turned to New York in 1851 to embark in the enter
prise in which he achieved such great success, Of
establishing the New York Times.
That newspaper supplied want keenly felt at the
time in New York. There were many persons who
deemed the Tribune too radical aud the Herald too
erratic. The Times became organ OF the Con-
servative school, and Raymond the pet OF the
rich merchants who were devOut followers OF Web
ster they made liberal advances of money to
tain his energetic and skilful efforts. He did not
trust to the popularity OF his opinions for success,
| but, while they were ably presented, he made the
Times a superior newspaper, and in one of its early
features, the excellence OF its domestic and foreign
| correspondence it was never surpassed The ablest
men that could be fOundwere engaged to contribute to
| write letters for its columns, Kossuth, who
then leading star in the literary poco world being
one of the regular correspondents. When public inte
rest centred in any particular spot, Raymond himself
| generally went to the scene of action In person.
Thus during the war in Italy he present at the
battle of Solferno, and he wrote Of the best ac
counts eXtant Of that sanguinary engagement In
the late contest in this country he also entered the
| field as q war correspondent on several occasions.
| At the same time he performed an immense
amount of editorial labor, and good Illustration OF
his wonderful powers is given by the fact that in the
brief interval between the announcement OF the
death of Daniel Webster and the composition OF the
| type for the issue of the Times the following
morning. he dictated an exhaustive euogy Of the
great Massachusetts, statesman which filed dozen
of the ample columns Of that journal, and which was
written in mastery style.
While all these labors were being performed,
Raymond found time to gain pre-emnence an
active politician. When the Republican party was
first organized in 1854, he attended the convention
| and drafted its first platform. In 1856 he was one
| of the recognized leaders of that organization. He
| was then chosen Lieutenant Governor Of New York.
In 1860 he was prominent delegate to the Chicago
| Convention, and in 1864 he was elected Repre-
| sentative from New York to the Thrty-ninth Con-
gress. This, however, proved injurious to his fame
and position. At the outset of the quarrel with
Andrew johnson, he acted on the theory that it was
bad policy for the Republicans to TyleriZe the ad-
ministraton. His attachment to Mr.. Seward in
yolved him still further in the treacheries OF john
son; and after making a vain effort to sustain "my
policy" on the floor Of Congress, Raymond became a
prominent member Of the Wigwam Convention
held in Philadelphia in 1866, drafting the platform
of the proposed party, he had previously
drafted the first National Republican platform.
1t soon became evident, however, that the Demo-
cracy would either be the leaders the destroyers
of the proposed new combination and Raymond
when sorced to chose between Democracy and Re.
publcansm, had hesitation in casting his lot with
the latter He was one of the earliest advocates Of
the nomination Of General Grant, and zealously
urged his election during the last campaign. Con
stitutionally he seems to have sought to avoid eX
tremes all questions, and his tendency to seek
safe middle course by weighing well the argument:
on both sides, gave his opponents good preteXt fo
assaing him for hesitancy and inconsistency. But
whatever may have been his faults, the ability will
which he expressed his opinions was never ques
toned and on some occasions he exhibited grea
foresight and sagacity.
In personal appearance he resembled the late
Stephen A. Douglas, and in his private relations h
was generous and gentle. AS newspaper wrlte
he had few equals and no superiOrs; as leader il
public assemblies he showed greater genius thar
any OF the other eminent newspaper men of thu
| age; and the extraordinary combination o.
qualities he possessed, united with his untirinl
energies, made him one of the most remarkable men
of the country. BY his death journalism loses on,
of its brightest ornaments, while highly innuenta
portion of the American people deprived OF tn,
ablest exponent OF their Views OF public questions.
| TuR FINE ApTS