The New York herald., 1874-12-31
Prince Bismarck and tho Herald.

/ Prince Bismarck and the Herald.
It is an interesting fact to learn, as we do,
from the North German Gazette that the HERALD
is the organ of the ultramontanists in America.
The Importance OF this declaration seems to
be appreciated in London, where the declara-
| tions of the German organ are discussed by
the leading London newspapers. The Augs-
| burg Gazette accuses us Of having entered into
conspiracy with Count Arnim ito slander
the German Empire"
II is the habit of the HERALD to permit its
columns to speak for it, and not to venture
upon explanations which never do any good.
The one thing we will never attempt is to ex-
plain to the mind of a German editor, espe-
cially when under the inspiration of Bis
marck the exact nature OF "freedom of the
press in America. 1t would be just as diff
cult an undertaking as to explain to stage
driver who had never seen q locomotive how
carriages could be made to 60 more than
seven miles an hour We have our own diff
culties in understanding many things we see
in Germany. We have been told by Editor
Medill and Minister Bancroft, in eloquent
publications, that Germany is becoming more
and more like the United States in its laws
and institutions and customs. But suddenly
we find member of Parliament imprisoned
great nobleman dragged to jail and his
house searched newspapers punished; priests
taken from the altar by policemen bishops
banished, fined and imprisoned, and women
likewise, for crying over their clergymen's
sorrows. We suppose there is a reason for
all of this, but we cannot understand it, any
comprehend why the HERALD should venture
to differ with Prince Bismarck without being
in the pay of the Pope.
The truth is, we live in free country and
print free newspaper. We are no more the
organ Of the ultramontanes than we are of
Bismarck. Of the two we much prefer Bis
marck, who, with oil of his faults, has a
manly, stern purpose TO attain, while the
ultramontanists are a mischievous sect, much
too good for this world, who should postpone
their political experiments until they 60 to
heaven. 1t is just possible that our German
critic regards as ultramontanists all who are
prosecuted by Bismarck. We have none in
America. The Catholic Church here is
liberal. The priests mind their own business.
They are not pressed under the banner of q
harsh imperial policy, and consequently are
not ''ultramontanists.
The HERALD is the organ Of no man, no
clique, no party. 1t aims to represent the
highest and most patriotic purpose Of the
American people. We support Bismarck
when right and oppose him when wrong. We
have had occasion to receive courtesies from
the Chancellor in the way OF special commu.
nications, and we made our grateful acknowl.
edgments. When His Highness has any fur
ther service of the same character he will find
the HERALD quite willing to be his ''organ. y
So far as the Arnim matter is concerned, We
think the Prince has shown harsh, mas
terful spirit; that he has taken mean advan
tages of his former friend and rival and has
accordingly arrayed against his policy thu
general sense of fair play which exists in al
mems minds. What the HERALD says has
been said by the leading papers of England
and the Continent Prince Bismarck makes
a mistake when he attributes this sentiment II
the desire Of any newspaper to be harsh tow
ard him. The fault is with himself and no
with the HERALD. Even as great statesman
should leave Germany long enough to leari
that newspaper can be truly Independent
without being in the pay of an impracticable
foolish faction like the ultramontanists, o
of a poor, battered count like Harry Vo,
Arnim. If we chose to worship power alon
we should adore Bismarck. But we folloy
justice, whether we support the Chancellor o
oppose him.