The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-08
JAMES GORDON BENNETT.
Opinions Of the Press on the
Deceased.
From the Turf, Field and Farm, June ~


James Gordon Bennett died calmly and peace
fully. Few men have battled SO resolutcly with for
time as he who founded the NEW YORK HERALD.
Romantic and sentimental at first, then dreaming
OF prestly honors, presently turning his back upon
the cloister full OF hope and enthusiasm setting his
feet upon the shores OF the New World; now learn
ing the pitiess ingratitude Of politicians and the
crushing, selfish nature OF man. we finally see MIN
transformed into cold and cynical being. SUCH
varied experience is seldom crowded into single
career. He played upon every chord OF passion In
the human heart. The strings were swept with no
gentle touch; on the contrary, each was sounded
to its very depth. 1t was as II Orpheus
had concentrated all of his energy and all
OF his skill on o single chord OF his golden
shell, and after wringng every note from
it, passed to another chord with like intensity, and
so proceeded until not one string OF the Tnracian
Tyre remained untouched. Whether as a callow
rhymester, sombre student, q needy pedag0gue,
an INDECENT proof reader, hard-worked reporter,
seedy newspaper correspondent or a cramped pub
Usher he had strong 1aith In himself and he
looked into the future with that confidence which Is
born OF hope. Napoleon believed in his star;
Bennett believed III himself Success in
journalism was the ambitious dream OF Mr.. Ben
netts life, aud he lived to see his dream more than
realized. without credit or capital he founded the
HERALD, and though twice wiped out by fire, and
denounced and slandered by the entire press OF the
country he was not dismayed. The man rose equal
rugged In his pathway. He struggled resolutely,
all who battle with true heroism. The
penny sheet which was born in a cellar has grown
into a magnificent enterprise, and now it goes
proudly forth from marble halls to speak to all the
world Mr.. Bennett revOutionzed the press. He
made news specially, and news he would have at
any cost. To anticipate all other Journals in OBJ
tanning and publishing news was great study with
him, and to accomplish this he devoted his ener-
gies, and like prodigal, lavshed his means.
Every fresh display OF enterprise won him wider
circle OF readers. TO systematic advertisements,
and to arrange them SO that they became an in
tereslng feature OF the paper, was also study
with him; and here he succeeded as none Others
have succeeded Some five years ago. having
fought the battle and won the fight, he grew
weary OF ofce routine and retired from
the active management OF the HERALD. He
did not cease however, to take an interest In pass
ing events, and the paper that he founded, and
which still Heated his name continued to profit by
his suggestions and advice. But the daring plan Of
his youth through long years OF patient labor, had
been crystallized into form. 1t developed into
perfect and living idea, and therefore would not
die with the mortal breath Into this idea Mr..
Bennett infused the better part OF himself, and
thus made himself In measure undylng. The light
may have gone out OF the eyes, and the may be
rigdy folded across the puscess heart, but the
man Is still with us in the idea that he moulded
and refined into solid crystal He who puts all of
his strength into an idea, and makes the idea live,
may laugh at the shrOud and the tomb, since he
clothes himself with power to walk far down the
aisles OF unrecorded time.