Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-06-19

gate annual circulation Of $500
The population Of the city then amounted
TO zI00S9. Only one of the imperial
government-fed papers had a circulation as
high as six thousand. In a few months
the Herald astoniShed its rivals by its rapid
growth. The enterprise, energy and strong
viii of Bennett, was inimitable and often
ELECTED the admiration of the learned and
influential political leaders both in Amer
lea and Europe. He made the Herald in
valuable by obtaining and publishing the
latest local and foreign news, no matter
what the trouble or expense. He gave the
news regardless of consequences. He fos-
tered and ENCOURAGED every meritOTfuus en-
terprise or individual, and thus became the
friend ard patrn of all classes. He origi-
mated the invaluable plan Of publishing
financial reports. The bulls and bears of
Wall street saw with amazement their
doings in each issue oftie morning Herald.
The corrupt Spectators were amazed 70 find
that mere editor should dare to expose
their plundering schemes, and more
than once they attempted his assassination.
But he persisted in his course, and when
the fearful financial crash of 1867 caused the
money centers of America to totter like
reeds before storm, the merits OF the
Herald were recognized by its people. 1t
was read by friend and fee with eagerness.
In that great crisis many of its bitter ene-
mics went down to rise no more. Itseircu-
lation soon reached 10000. This aroused
anew the jealousy and Indignation Of its
rival cotemporaries and the politicians Il had
dashed so mercilessly, and they determined
on its destruction. Rapidly they rallied
their hosts, eonfiden1 Of crushing it out of
existence. The Wall street brokers, fan
atical clergy and eight blanket-sheet news
pape-.s, backed by an army ofhungry office
seekers, fell promptly into line and made the
attack with blind enthusiasm equal TO that
by the crusaders of old. The city
was mapped out and committees were APP
pointed to visit every portion to warn the
people not to patronize the Herald. A sol
emn league was entered into by which il
was decided that none of the allied papers
would publish any advertisement for any
party that might dare TO patronize the Her
aid. ard that all such might expect 10 be
swept from position and prosperity by the
mighty power Of fearful combinations.
Theatres, railroad offices, hotels, banks,
merchants and everybody that advertised
were notified that they must recognize the
verdict against the Herald. They used
every means to degrade and malign the ed.
itor. Double-leaded leaders against him
teemed with seething, searching, kissing
lnvectives. Here are a few Of them,
reproduced from two or three of the
leading Journals engaged in the wal:
"Obscene vagabond," ''infamous bias
phemer,. ''loathsome and leprous SANDER
er and libeller," ''profigate adventurer,"
';accuTsed sting" notorious bane," ''pros-
tituted scoundrel," ''yensl wretch" tfor-
eign blaelg,iard;" 'thabitual liar" 'sveteran
vagstohd," scaitiff," Emonster," "foul
Jaws "turkey buzzard." Twas shameful
that public Journals 90 Far forgot their dig
nity and seiFi6spect as TO use such language
towards an honorable opponent. Amid
this fiery ordeal the Herald remained cool
and firTne and rapidly gained in patronage
and in the confidence of the people, and
soon Its circulation exceeded the entire is
sue OF the allies by 1880. In the mean
time nearly every pahet In the Union be
came more OF less involved in the struggle.
The war lasted several months, during
which time several brutal attempts were
made to aSsaSSinate the gallant and
intrepid Bennett. He remained invinci-
bic, never swerying, and one by one his
antagonists yiel1ed the contest. The re-
action against them was terrible. Rapidly
they failed in means and influence, and, to-
day, only one or two of them are in exist
ence, and they are eking out a support in
The Herald was great in vic
tory as in battles. Its marvellous growth
from that eventful period dazzled the eyes
Of the whole civilized world. European
pO,entates unreservedly paid homage TO
the brilliant genius of the great founder of
independent journalism. Presidents, and
senators, and governors, kings, and mobiles,
and lords, and men of deep science and
profound learning, have united in their
recognition of the HeTGld as the creates
achievement in Journalism that the world
ever witnessed. As Napoleon was in
war, so was Bennett in journalism.
Rank and position were often pTofered
him from the highest sources. But he
often and always declined civic honOrs, he
cause he believed he welded more power
and occupied a nobler position than the
people of the Union could bestow upon
him. In 1872 James Gordon Bennett
passed away, transmitting all his greatness,
all his originality, and his many wonderful
characteristics 10 his son, James Gordon
Bennett, Jr., the present owner and mana
ger Of the Herald. That great Journal is
a living memorial of the greatest intellect
that ever shed lustre over our profession.
Bennett is dead, but The Herald lives to
shape the destinies of the country. The
acquired freedom and independence of the
Herald gave freedom to the whole press Of
the Union, and caused journalism in Eu-
rope to catch the fire of genius and liberty
that had hallowed American institutions,
and rehabilitate itself with life and indie
pendence.
The Herald was not alone in its great
ness. The Tribune, the offspring of the
lamented Greeley, started in 1S4l in power
ty, attained greatness; served q faithful
career as party exponent, finally became
Independent, and has an income of half a
million. The World has an income
of half a million dollars. The Phil
ddelphiG Ledger, started without capital in
1896, now has an income of 100000. The
Nel- York Ledger, started in 1881, has a
circulation of 100000 and an income of
half million. The net income of the
Herald is $4,000. The annual subscrip-
tiOns Of the New York papers amount to
S7.000,000. There are published in the
Union over 5000 newspapers and periodi-
Gals, with an annual aggregate circulation
of nearly 2,000,O00,000 copies.
There are seven papers in the United
States that have been in existence over
one hundred years, and thirty-three that
have been in existence over fifty years.
There are nearly as many papers published
in the Union as in all the rest of the world
combined.
The magnitude of the growing power of
the press is almost incOmprehensible. An
attempted conception of its vast power and
influence causes the mind to be dazzled and
bewildered. After200 years of subservien-
cy TO kings, governors, Essex juntaS, Tam
many rings and Union Leagues, the press
is free for the first time in the history of
the world. Let not the history of great
nations and mighty empires be the
history Of the liberated press of
America. Let it not fall from
the lofty pedestal it now occupies
to be again the slave of the evil passions of
designing leaders. To be great and retain
its influence, the press must be untram-
melted by political parties. The only proof
needed TO sustain this assertion is to COM
pare independent papers, like the Herald,
Tribune, Ne,c York Post, Cincinnati Com
laercidi, 50. Louis Republican, WdSting-
ton Star, and hundreds of Others of less
note, with the journals that believe that it