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

editorial article, and the system of adver-
Using by the year. with dead adver-
tisements kept In to All up the col
umns, is now almost unknown. The
cash system. and the plan of renewing adver-
tisements daily, and of making them important
items of current news, introduced by Mr.. Ben
nett, are now adopted by all the metropolitan
dailies, andadhered to as closely as practicable.
The great principle of independent journalism
which commenced to assert itself with the first
appearance Of the HERALD is now the pride of
the American press Politicians no longer
control editors through their paltry subscrip-
tons and patronage, but editors control poll
icians. Party organs, republican, liberal and
democratic, dictate instead Of being dictated to-
and in one notable instance formal declaration
of Independence has recently been made by o
leading political journal. Some of the in
novations made by Mr.. Bennett have ct first
been denounced by his contemporaries, but
have always been adopted by them in the end.
The financial article originating with the
HERALD was at first seriously condemned. 1t
was regarded as ON unwarrantable interference
with private business and as calculated to work
injuriously to the interests Of the city. An
idea prevailed in those days that mysterious
secrecy ought to envelop financial opera
tons, and that all the people needed
to know was the actual result of the
transactions on the market Yet, at the
present moment, the financial department Of
the metropolitan daily is one of it's most i'm
portant features. and the ability and industry
displayed in its management Is undeniable.
The most valuable aids to legitimate enter
prise and the most eftectual safeguards
against fraud and Misrepresentation in
speculative ventures are to be found
in the commercial and financial columns
of the New York daily newspapers.
interviewing owed its origin to the HERALD.
1t was conceived by Mr.. Bennett on the idea
that it was best to go at once to headquarters
for news, and that no person could know more
of q mans actions, Intentions and prin-
ciples than he knows himself. Monarchs
statesmen, soldiers and ministers have
thus spoken to the people through
the HERALDs columns. The system was
at first ridiculed and abused, but it has
since been resorted to by the whole American
press and sometimes to on absurd extent.
Even the European papers have been, in
improved by the HERALD example.
The London Telegraph is notable instance of
English imitation of American journalism,
while the ponderous London Times has re-
al, 81 :,Ao 49,
and Is learning to add modern newspaper en-
terprise as understood on this side of the At
lantic to the solid ability Of debating
It would be singular if the
great success Of the HERALD did not
Tempt other journalists to follow closely
N its footsteps, and to mould their
papers on its model. When the HERALD entered
he field the daily circulation of the leading
newspaper in New York was four or FIVE thou
sand, which was sufficient to command the
Advertising patronage Of the city. To-day
the HERALD's circulation is over one hundred
and on Sundays 1t reaches larger
number than on any other day. It's influence
and power are as inviting as its pecuniary sue
cess. Looked up to by governments, lauded
for its magnificent enterprise all over the world,
spreading its operations into the four quarters
Of the globe, rendering it not matter of i'm
that oil great geographical discov-
cries in the future may be due to the press,
Who shall say that the HERALD is not worthy
If imitation and emulation?
1t is wonderful to contemplate that this has
Ill been the work of one mans genius, and
he story Of life that hos accomplished SO
much cannot be without its moral Earnest
ness Of purpose, untiring energy, total
sbnegation of self, perseverance, courage and
faith, were the qualities that bore Mr..
Bennett to success, and that will almost
always win the battle of life. To these were
added unusual self-restraint and intense appli-
cation. Mr.. Bennett's ambition was confined
10 that created by his ardent love of his chosen
profession. He did not covet wealth he
only valued money as it gave greater
scope for expansion, and every dollar
Of his income would have been
spent if necessary to promote the efficiency Of
his paper and make it a perfect vehicle Of news.
He had no personal ambition, but he loved to
make the creation of his genius influential and
On several occasions honors
were pressed upon his acceptance, but he re-
fused them oil, as he declined the French
mission offered to him by President Lincoln.
He would not even ask q favor for others at the
hands Of men who would gladly have acceded
TO any demand he might have made upon
them. On one occasion on applicant for Office
under Mr.. Buchanan pressed Mr.. Bennett for
. letter to the President, adding, II have rea-
son to know that you have great influence with
him." SWELL" was Mr.. BENEFITS reply, II
did not know that had any influence with Mr..
Buchanan at all, but if you are sure that
have, I'll not lose it by giving you letter."
he has often helped friend with money when
in need, rather than use any effort to obtain