National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-02-12
THE TIMES AND THE PARTY.


Many complaints reach us from leading
Republicans of the course which the New
York Times is pursuing towards the kepup--
ican party. There is scarcely prominent
man in the party, beginning with the fresi-
lent, about whom it has not said mean,
lbusive and unjust things. There is not a
measure of the party to which it has given
Turing many months a consistent support
It does not, and has not recently, given
voice to the sentiment of the party, and,
until an important change ia its direction
lakes place, it never can. The cause OF its
perverseness, while much discussed, is not
teneraIly understood; and it seems to us
that Republicans ought to know the real
condition of affairs in order that they may
consider intelligently what is necessary to
be done. The Republicans Of the State Of
New York ought to consider, as we know
hey are considering, whether, without an
Earnest sympathetic journalistic support,
they must not expect to lose the approach
ing elections in that great State. But we
leave that matter in their hands.
The New York Times was founded by
Henry J. Raymond, one of the ablest and
brightest of journalists. As long as he lived,
whatever course the paper took was marked
by fairness, intelligence and fervid love Of
country From the first rumble of coming
war it stood manfully Iy the Union, with
patriotic devotion. Both the Times and
Mr. Raymond were respected and loved by
Mr.. Lincoln. The journal was thoroughly
representative and American. On the death
Of Mr.. Raymond, an adventurous English
writer, who had been attached to the staff
of the London Times, found his way into
the Office in a subordinate position, which
he had sought in vain to secure while
Mr. Raymond lived. He was possessed of
, certain kind of ability and q great deal of
cunning. His free trade sentiments, his
hostility to American institutions, his hatred
of Republicanism, which are recorded in his
own writing, he smothered that he might
succeed in his purpose. He won the conf
dence Of MIR. Jones, who succeeded Mr..
Raymond in the direction of the journal, so
that in short time the English writer be-
came the managing editor of the Times
Step by step he has augmented his power,
till he now is not only editor in chief, but
holds the shares of stock which virtually
control the whole course of the paper. Till
about year ago over fifty of the hundred
shares were owned by one of the staunchest
Republicans in New York State. He wss
induced to part with some of his SHARES to
this Englishman, and has become power
less in the management Since that time
the paper has been constantly drifting away
from the Republican party more and more.
There have recently been further changes in
the stock, which leaves the English editor
In such position that by uniting with either
one party in interest, or the other, he
can turn the direction whatever way he
pleases He is as absolutely in control of
the whole business as though he owned
every dollar of the stock. In stating
these facts we have but one object
in view, and that is to impress upon Repub-
]icans the necessity of considering whether
the time has not come when the interests
of the party demand journal in New York
which shall give it fair, earnest, and SYM
pathetic support and first, it must be con- |
sidered whether such a support can, by any
possibility, be hereafter expected from the
Times.
Mr.. Jones, one of the principal proprie-
tors of the paper, is now in the city. We
hope he will remain until he ascertains the |
sentiment of the Republican leaders in re-
gard to his English nti-Republican editor.
If he does he will learn that the IIm.s, in
spite of the noble position it has occupied
in the past cannot carry its present load
much longer without losing both influence
and money.