The New York herald., 1872-06-04
NEW YORK HERALD TUESDAY JUNE T. 1872-TR1PLE SHEET

HERALD, which was sure to detect any incon
sstencies weaknesses or errors 2 Seeking, first
to make the HERALD lively and readable he ac-
pendence by refusing to allow its opinions to be in.
huenced or anticipated. No one could foretell
knew that it would say something in its
own style and , In pursuance Of its own often ,he
kept on trying TO solve ever fresh problems. They
were irritated, but they continued to expect some
thing more satisfactory Occasionally the victims
OF long series of attacks would be gratiled with
most unexpected blow in behalf of their cause But
underneath all its masks and through all its tor
tuous windings there was calm cool and steady
| purpose that never wavered. The apparent buf-
foonery OF months would turn out to have covered
most serious design. long series OF nexplicable
vacilatons would lead the readers OF the HERALD
to point where Its clear expression of definite
opinion would strike their minds as the unanswer-
able summing up of the whole case.
In the long record OF such a paper as the HERALD
there can be found much to condemn that we need
not now rake up out OF the dead past. Let us
rather now think OF the good features that have
survived while so much OF what was evil has long
since ceased. 1t was great and infinitely useful
achievement that Mr. Bennett accomplished in the
mere building up OF q newspaper like the HERALD.
To his daring enterprise, liberality, indeatgable
zeal, wonderful Judgment and tact are due the ex-
teers OF the worlds news more than to the labors
OF any halfdozen other men, In this prime func-
tion OF the journalist mr.. Bennett far excelled any
of his contemporaries
As a leader OF opinion Mr.. Bennett cannot occupy
high place In history. He doubted ridiculed and
opposed nearly all reforms until they had fought
their way to success. He was too sceptical of men
and their motives to become the advocate of re-
lornatory movements. He was too independent of
party ties to lead the opinions Of men on either
side. An unsparing critic OF parties and politi-
cians he had no constituency OF followers. STILL
questions that appealed to patriotic instincts,
the HERALD often spoke with emphasis and power.
1t favored ali measures for the development of our
national resources. 1t stood up for the national
honor and credit, and often was excessive In its
pugnacious patriotism.
From the Philadelphia Age, June 81
The death Of this distinguished journalist occurred
on Saturday, in New York. He had reached the
ripe age of seventytwo years, and after career
checkered with many vicissitudes had attained
the highest success in the pursuit to which his life
was devoted We do not know that he ever turned
from it; and at an age when rest with political
honors would have been acceptable to most men
he declined the mission to France which Mr.. Lin
coin offered to him. That too, might have been
peculiarly acceptable to him, for, though born in
Scotland he was of French parentage, and had more
of the French than the Scotch or the American
character. He familiar too, with European
languages and though enjoying few advantages
in youth, he had found opportunity to make and
extend an acquaintance with modern literature.
lie came to this country penniless lad, in 1873,
and found his first employment In a book
store. Then he made several unsuccessful
ventures in journalism. In 1888 he came to
Philadelphia ana associated himself with the pro-
prietors Of the Pe7asyJydnidn In publishing that
paper In it, on the oath OF May 1885, partnership
IS announced between BENJAMIN MifIiin, Rowland
Parry, James Gordon Bennett, whO 1t is said, ''has
been connected with the editorial department. since
January last' and who assumes the functions Of
''the acting editor" We have on our shelves
complete file OF our democratic predecessor. We
take from 1t the above particulars, and we have
glanced over It's daily Issues, in which some of the
characteristics of Mr.. Benefits later style may be
traced. We find him assuming the functions Of re.
porter on the occasion OF General JacksOn's visit to
this city, in May, 1883, and going on committee to
meet him as far as Baltimore. The journey is re-
lated with many OF the minute and graphic
touches that have since been feature i'm the
porting OF the HERALD, no doubt under the instruc
ton of the head Of the journal.
Vituperation or personality, instead Of forming
feature OF the paper was not only avoided, but we
find 1t positively reprobated and never resorted to.
made no mark at all In this city, We are confirmed
of those who knew him here, ana on the soth of
November 1888, an ordinary notice of dissolution
Of partnership announces the withdrawal OF Mr.
Bennett, and paragraph in the same paper names
Mr.. Joseph G. Neal as the new editor. Whether
hampered by circumstances or the control of
others, the tone OF this city, there is nothing in
the columns of the Pen,,sycanian of that day that
affords any presage of the success of the HERALD.
Before the the, telegraph to oey every portion
ments Of the Associated Press bringing all facts Of
any Importance in an unceasing daily and nightly
stream to the principal journals, there was wide
and legitimate sphere for pertinacty that now
runs chiefly after sensational scandal. Then extra.
pruny was nuh TO Gp n s a @
Bennett was pre-eminent He added, too the
graces OF Of a. light gay we may cal! It French
are not particularly informed. We believe him to
have been amable and LIBERAL and exemplary in all
his private relations. He was in faith, we believe,
Roman Catholic, but neither intOlerant nor indif-
ferent in matters of religion. We may Illustrate
this by document which he took pains to obtain
and publish in the Pennsylvania OF August 10,
1888, with the highest encomium on its merit. 1t
was letter from Thomas Jefferson addressed to
his IAfA Erntt tnn nnLt
fOllows:-
Your aectionate mother requests t6at wSnd address
i a OK e @ M M havo nars To rs
Few words are necessary with good dispositions on your
your nsis%Sor yourself and your country ' more
an @ Be the e yn mot At th VIII
be The pa sage TO one and neable bliss And
world every action Of Your lie viii be under my regard
MONTICELLO, Jan. 10, 1894
or this Mr.. Bennett says in letter asking for 1t
for publication, 'out Of the sacred volumes of
tion equal to IL III the worlds
From the Philadelphia Post, June 81
The founder Of the NEW YORK HERALD is dead.
The mind that conceived it, the hand that labored
for 1t and the will that conquered every obstacle in
the path Of success are silent in DEATH but the
great journal of the world will be a monument to
his memory generations after those that mourn
him to-day have been forgotten
AS a newspaper the HERALD is the first in the
world. The great London Times with it's immense
income the result OF years OF accumu latiOn cannot
rival the energy Of the HERALD. II literally car
ried the war into Africa, and brought the
first information Of the triumph OF Mag
dala to the Engligh government. 1t found Living
stone. and told the nation to which ne belonged
that he was safe. Whenever anything is going on
in the world that is worth knowing the HERALD
will find 1t out and tell the world about it first. TO
the genius OF Bennett is this magnificent spirit OF
the HERALD DUE and we can write no higher praise
to his name than to point to his paper and say
james Gordon Bennett created 1t. Mr.. Greeley, in
his autobiography, says that the only epitaph he
asks is Founder Of the New York 7ribu1,e,n and
Mr.. Bennett might well have cherished similar
PRIDE though for very different reasons. He
not as Mr.. Greeley was Il champion of right against
any odds, but he Effected revolution in Journalism.
From the Philadelphia Record June 81
In the death Of James Gordon Bennett at the ripe
age of seventy-sx years. American Journalism has
lost one of its most famous representatives 1t may
be said with truth that no one OF his compeers was
ever so widely known, his name having spread all
over the globe, and being synonym of press enter