The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-27
Lincoln on the Editors-The Happy
Family in Albany.

under the charge of the Sergeant-at-Arm
TO ''testiiy, is really upon its face more
Serious matter than might be imagined. We
applaud MIR. Lincoln for his firmness in this
affair. That eminent but hitherto undiscov-
cred statesman is perfectly right in his posi-
ton. He knows, by fine Albany instinct,
that nothing is more improper than for editors
to Interfere in these national and State affairs.
There has been q rude, hasty opinion, mainly
the outcrop OF vanity, that editors are re-
sponsible beings, with opinions and anx-
ious to make them manifest to the
world. But Lincoln knows better. In his
time he has known editors and has handled
them. His gigantic intellect has compassed
the mysteries of the country press and the
subtle but intimate relation between rural
public opinion and the corner grocery. We
can fancy Lincoln himself, the village sage
astride the greasy counter, surrounded with
tapes and molasses and pumpkin pies and
patent medicines, unfolding himself to the
postmaster, the country editor and that small
but ever present company of unemployed states
men who adorn most Of our Western towns
In fact, there is so very little of Lincoln that
he cannot endure more than o season or two of
Albany and itwould not at all surprise us to see
him. at the end of the present session most
likely, become blessing to the human race by
founding his own newspaper or opening his
own grocery. The result of his experience is
that Lincoln knows all about the press. He
sees behind the scenes. He has discovered
the mysteries Of journalism-the editors and
the managing editors" He knows that, after
all, these masters Of public opinion are merely
puppets; that behind the scenes are Van Mort
meyer, and the remainder Of our petty tyrants.
Each OF them owns his editor, and, for all we
know his managing editor" Foley, who is
not quite tyrant, but only waits his time,
is the exclusive owner of the HERALD,
its servants, ministers, attributes and ap-
purtenances and we presume that our con-
temporaries all rest under some equally benign
and explicit jurisdiction. If our readers knew
the trouble thus saved they would envy us.
The privilege of sitting at the feet of Gardner
and Foley and Van Mort and drinking in wis
dom, free of trouble and cost, is precious
one. Lincoln knows how it is. He has been
the source of wisdom in his own way and time.
He has ''sent for his editor many time no
doubt, and he knows the exact relations be-
tween the New York press and our little oil
garchy
But with this knowledge it seems hard that
Lincoln should insist upon summoning the
editors to Albany to ''testify." Why does he
not send for Foley and Van Mort and learn the
truth from first sources ? AS these sages
generally spend their time on the Albany trains
there would be an economy in that fact. The
Sergeant-at-Arms would be sure to find them
in Albany, if not to-day, then tomorrow.
Why drag the inoffensive, harmless New York
innocents from their homes and families?
There is the valiant Major Bundy, for in
stance, who never breathed wicked emotion
in his life. Why should he be dragged from
his EUening Mail to the dreadful hotels and
more dreadful society Of Albany, the perils of
the Delavan House and the lobby? There is
the philosophical Whitelaw Reid, his face
s'sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought
and his mind Illuminating upon the new
building. Why should he be wrenched
from his granite blocks and his Ring
hunts and his sweet moiety morsels2
There is the robust and accomplished
philosopher Mr.. Dana, with his Barmecide
feast of exposures and his sunlight, which
s'shines for ALL Is he to be thrown into the
Albany arena like another Polycarp? And
the venerable poet Of the Evening Post, the
iusty commander of the Commercial Advertiser,
the solemn chief of the EUen;ng Erpress-can
nothing be done to save these gentlemen?
Has the Lotos Club, or any other of our ma
tional institutions, no power? Must the
ruler of the World be taken like an ordinary
mortal to the Albany tribunal? If Judge
Blatchford has not lost his cunning now is his
browning opportunity.
But there is even another question. We can
imagine the law ruthless and triumphant We
can see Dana, Reid Hastings, Marble Bryant
Brooks, Croly, Howard and Bundy-all
crammed into smoking car and bound for
Albany. Into the felicities of this meeting we
do not dare to penetrate, the flow of SOUL
the interchange of wit, the outburst of har-
mony and affection which always attend any
assemblage of our Now York journalists.
But what is to be done with Mr. Jennings?
He is also wanted in Albany. Mr.. Jen-
nings is an editor and an author. His
editorship is not as much cherished in WASH
ington as it should be, while his book on
America has not been pressed into an in
ordinate circulation. But still he has rights,
and even Mr.. Lincoln must protect them.
What right has any of our authorities to drag
distinguished English subject to Albany?
Has MIR. Lincoln thought of the consequences
a feet in New York Bay, the city under contri-
button, or another Geneva arbitration, with the
fine on our own side, and endless embarrass-
ments in every way? We can understand the
general joy that would attend Mr.. jennings
arrival in Albany, for he is man in whose