The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-10

prejudiced and impulsive, but who had at the
bottom solid foundation of good sense and
correct principle. Il was easier to reach the
foundation by entering through the open
doors and windows than by using pickaxes to
tear up the ground and rams to batter down
the walls, and this plan he followed His
policy was the policy of the skilful surgeon,
who diverts his patient with playful raillery at
the very moment he is preparing to perform
delicate and painful operation. While the
sparkling humor or good-natured sarcasm of
the HERALD was amusing the reader, the knife
went in and dangerous disease was checked
or endicated. Yet there are many who, failing
to look below the surface, can discover in
Mr. Benefits writings in those days only scep-
ticism, SOOTHING and mockery. One writer of more
than ordinary ability, accepting this erro-
neous view, lkens Mr.. Bennett to Horace Wal
POLE HE was a man," he says, 'who
greatly resembled Walpole both in manner and
in character" The gossip-monger of Kensing-
ton Palace and Carlton House is thus des-
cribed by the truthful pen of Macaulay:-
He was the most eccentric, the most artificial,
inc most lastdious, the most capriciOus OF men,
HIS mind was bundle OF inconsistent whins and
anectatlonS. HIS features were covered by mask
within mask. When the outer disguise of obvious
affectation was removed yOu were still as far as
rable parts and overacted them all. When he
talked misanthropy he Out-Timoned Tmon. When
He SCORED st courts and
kept a chronicle Of their most trifling scandal; at
society, and was blown about by its nghtest veer-
ings of opinion.
That James Gordon Bennett should be
likened to such man by any intelligent
writer appears singular indeed to those who
were fortunate enough to enjoy personal
acquaintance with the thoughtful, earnest,
energetic, brilliant journalist; but it serves
to illustrate how completely even men of
sense and culture have been misled in their
estimate Of Mr.. Benefits character by the
errors of careless or disqualified critics.
There was, indeed, no point Of similarity be-
tween the two men. Walpole, we are told, in
everything in which he busted himself-in the
fine arts in literature, in public affairs-was
drawn by some strange attraction from the
great to the little and from the useful to the
odd. Mr.. Bennett used the little only as the
means of reaching the great, and resorted to
the odd as q philosophical method
Of promoting the useful. He fought
his battles with the weapons most likely to
insure victory, and if the light foil was most
frequently in his hands he carried the heavy
broadsword at his side, ever ready to be used
effectively when a sweeping blow was needed
to strike down error or lay bare imposture.
Walpole loved fashions and scandals by
nature; Mr. Bennett used them as he used
police reports, as means of comprising his
great end-the circulation Of his paper among
all classes Of the people of oil tastes and of oil
conditions in life. The one gloated over such
food; the other administered it as a whole
some corrective. Walpole had q passion for
mischief; he loved to disturb the course
of ministerial negotiations or to spread
confusion through the political cir
cles. ''But," says Macaulay, "he did
not himself pretend that on these occasions he
was actuated by public spirit. He thought it
good practical joke to set public men to.
gether by the ears, and he enjoyed their per
plexities, their accusations and theil recrimi.
rassment of misdirected traveller" Mr.. Ben
nett frequently carried confusion into the ranks
of the politicians, and he has often been in
strumental in defeating political intrigues by
exciting dissension among their promoters.
One of his constant directions to his en-
ployes was to hear the stories Of both sides Of
political plot or controversy and then to "knock
their heads together" But this was done in the
public interest, to promote the general good.
Malice was not an ingredient of Mr.. Bennett
nature. He was severe on those who, jealous
Of the increasing influence and power of the
HERALD misrepresented and abused him, but
he usually contented himself with q crushing
reply, and seldom followed up an assailant
who was wise enough to accept the first rebuke.
He used sarcasm to correct, and not to sting.
He preferred peace to war in his journal One
of our contemporaries writes tit is due to
Mr.. Bennett to say that prosperity made him
more lenient to his enemies, more disposed to
do them full justice, and less inclined to
carry on personal warfare" It is due
to him also to say that from the
first hour of the establishment Of the HERALD
to the moment Of his retirement from its ac-
tive management he never failed to commend
good act, although done by his most unyield-
ing enemy, or to condemn bad act, although
committed by his warmest friend. In this
policy he only carried out faithfully his deter
mination to make the HERALD the honest
and consistent champion Of the interests and
the rights of the people, at the sacrifice, if
need be, of every personal feeling and con-
sideration. !.
When the HERALD was first issued-in May,
1835-one or two partners were associated with
Mr.. Bennett in its printing department only,
and not in its editorial management In
August Of the same year the Office was
destroyed by fire. After this calamity
Mr.. Bennett restored the paper without any
partners in the venture, being satisfied that
the only way to properly conduct great jour
nal was by the one-man power. Then COM
menced in earnest the development Of his great
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