National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-02-08
A BASTARD JOURNALIST.

Much surprise has frequently been ex-
pressed that the New York Tribune should
be so often imposed upon and led into the
publication of lies from this city, even after
many of its utterances have been proven to
be false and without q shadow of founda
ton. This surprise will doubtless be dissi-
pated when the public is informed of the
character of one of the most industrious of
the irregular news gatherers Of that metro.
politan journal, and the wonder will then
arise why men of ordinary reputation will
associate with such character.
The Tribune has teemed with the most
outrageous falsehoods in regard to the In
dian service, and persists in its falsehoods
after the attention of its editor has been
repeatedly called to the real situation and
the truth in regard to its assertions. For
bearance longer to delay the exposure of
its sources of information would be crime
upon the public which we do not intend to
be guilty of.
In the methods of metropolitan journal
ism there are two classes of reporters. The
first, and relatively the most respectable,
is known of all men, keeps a luxuriantly-
appointed office and maintains a certain
degree of style at q first-clsss hote, or board
ing house, and in all respects COMFORTS it.
self as becomes the character and reputa-
ton of powerful journal and creator Of
public sentiment. The second class bur-
rows in the purlieus of the city, is known
to but few men of good repute, and visits
his more reputable cOnfreres only in the
"wee sma' hours, when respectable citi-
zens have retired from the streets and pub
lie places.
All the great papers do not invoke these
two classes, but the Tribune does, and we
propose to call attention to one of the latter
class in its employ. He affects the role of
a badly wounded soldier, and appeals for
sympathy on that account; but his army
record will not bear close scrutiny, for it
will be found that his wound was selt-in-
f1icted, while he was laboring under an at
tack of delirium tren1enS. Nor will his
character for honesty stand the ordinary
test, for it will be ascertained that he has
stood before the bar of Military Court
Martial charged with the most shameful
crime, and been punished therefor. En-
trusted with'a position Of responsibility by
men easily imposed upon by WELDON
trived story of patriotism and suffering, he
betrayed his employers, and was exposed
as traitor to his best friends. Presenting
on his position as a hanger-on of a great
journal, he exposed himself in a public
place Of amusement while in a state of in
toxication, and, to his surprise, was shown
into the street. Driven from all honorable
employment by his excuses, he is forced
to manufacture falsehoods for livelihood,
and he finds good market for his noisome
products in the Tribune Office, the receipt
bility of whose editor is equal to the most
monstrous fabrIcations.
The official records of the War Depart
ment will substantiate all that we have
said of the army record OF this precious fol-
lower of the Tribune, and cloud of wit
nesses in this city will testify to the truth
of the illusions to his career since his So
journ here.
We submit to the public which is the
more guilty party-he who, driven by the
pangs of hunger, manufactures falsehoods
for his daily bread, or the editor who, in
his eager efforts to destroy private charac-
ter. adopts and utters those falsehoods?
The specifications in regard 10 the above
matters, and the proofs to substantiate
them, are all in hand, and will be forth
coming Unnecessary to satisfy any inquiring
minds.