The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-15

When the newspapers run dry of topics
when exciting themes like Terwliger, Hank"
Smith, Tom Murphy, Grants relations, Conk-
ling's toilet, begin to pail upon the party
press-they resume an old, but ever interest
ing problem in the mysterious influence of the
HERALD" With every change Of the season
we have swarm of paragraphs filed with
interesting information about the HERALD
the health Of its editor, his amusements
and occupations; q gazette of new ap-
pointments ON his editorial staff, with
ingenious speculations as to some purchaser
who has made up his mind to buy it,
and is only awaiting necessary legal forms to
enter into possession of the property. Every
thing human has its destiny, and it is
the especial fate of influences like the
British Crown. the Emperor Napoleon and the
NEW YORK HERALD to generate swarm OF
paragraphs. We sometimes marvel what
| would become of the Bohemians, who find
| precarious subsistence as 'sNew York c0rre-
spondents," if the HERALD ceased to be
topic. So long as confding editors OF
country newspapers will pay for this kind Of
it, and mischievous paragraphs will be written.
As to setting these people right or taking the
least pains to affirm or deny their publica-
lions, why, one would as soon think OF at
tempting to drill o swarm of ants in Infantry
tactics
1t happens that the partisan journals are
concerned about the HERALDs support of
President Grant. The accepted rule among
political newspapers is that they will support
the administration which supports them. They
cannot comprehend any relations between
government and public journal which are
not based upon favors expected or received.
| When President is elected to Office the editor
who supports him maps out his share of the
patronage. Such an Office he must have for
himself so many offices for his friends. If the
demand is not honored or is only partly
honored, he becomes maloontent, liberal,
reformer--perhaps a candidate for the Pres
idency, if he has vanities and aspirations!
We saw in the recent Custom House invest-
CATION where one newspaper editor alone was
found to have made more recommendations to
Office in the Custom House than any Senator
| OF member. we CdU uuutEStuuU uOW cuCu
recommendations are made An editor is
human, and when he forms political associa-
| tons he must protect them. If ne sits In
caucus or a convention with the tavern keepers
of the Sixth ward and accepts any general
| favors from them he assumes an obligation
which can only be cancelled in one
way-by patronage. If he criticises the
administration whose favor he has in
any way entreated he is open to the charge Of
ingratitude. We have no doubt there is a
great temptation in politics-taat men seek
it as they seek the race track and the gambling
tables at Baden Baden. The resource of poll
tics is chicanery, and 1t is the only profession
which has made deceit and lying q virtue.
| In early days, when administrations were de-
pendent upon subsidized papers for their sup
port, politics and journalism were in close
I alliance. The editor was the paid servant of
the government, and the amount Of his pay
depended upon his ingenuity. Sometimes he
made great deal of money, like Old Blair,
who became rich, or he may have died poor,
like Leggett. But as journalism grew in
power and wealth, and became self-sustain-
ing, and a great newspaper could afford to
attract young and experienced and gifted men
| to it as a profession, the spirit of indepen-
| dence revoltod against the spirit of chicanery,
and the two professions became antagonistic.
While politicians rose and fell with admins
trations, and were merely ephemeral in their
existence, the newspaper grew with every
year, and became strong enough to make or
unmake administrations.
| A Journal has no right, however, to avoid
| political duties. 1t cannot avoid craftsmanship
to take refuge 10 cowardce. 1t is not always
independence to shower indiscriminate abuse
upon any man or any measure. five censure
we must praise where praise is due, and above
all things seek truth and justice, and follow
them with more earnestness when we
are assailed for doing SO. We, of course,
appreciate the universal concentrations that
come to us from newspapers and correspond
ents as to what our republican friends are
pleased to call our effective support of
President Grant. 1t may sartle some
of the partisan editors, and perhaps
excite their profound contempt to know that
the HERALD has never sought an office from
General Grant, and would not take the highest
in his gift, and that no human being now in
the service Of the government is indebted,
directly or indirectly, for his position to the
HERALD. We give General Grant an inde-
pendent, judicious, manly support, and shall
continue it SO long as we are satisfied with the
administration. The extent and duration Of
that support must remain with the President,
for when he forfets our respect he will be no
more 10 us than poor Pierce or the foolish old
Buchanan. While he serves the country as we'll
| az he does now wa mean To rannfhe on