The Morning herald., 1875-10-21
OUR PHILADELPHIA LETTER.
PHILADEPIA, Oct. 10, 1875.

| You are aware of the fact-it would b.
an insult to your discernment for me I,
imagine you were not-that the Times il
the leading newspaper in Pennsylvania
AID that its editor, Col. .IcClure has nc
peer within the limits of our iron yielding
territory, in the editorial sanctun. Brim.
ming with fresh and practical ideas, and
cool headed enough to apply them with ef
fective propietev, he has made the editorial
department Of his pa Der power, not only
in Philadelphia, but the entire land. And
yet, while its opinions are respected, and
its reproaches Of ::erring officials effective
in aiding the cause Of reform, there is a
marked absence from its columns, Of the
autoeratIc impudenc: Of the New York
San. The reformatory instincts of the edi-
tor Of the latter journal found their birth
in his disappointed political ambition; for
had he been chosen to succeed Stanton,
Grant, would have been regarded by him
as the Napoleon Of our day, and the New
York Sun, instead of addressing IN audi
ence of one million souls, as its red haired
and ver|' stupid publisher alleges, would
now be tlic>erins at the end of life's wick.
When Dana shall be found to be precisely
what he (which will transpire about the
time Gen. Grant shall retire into the sec!u
sion of private life, you may depend upon
it the Sun will go down, unless indee, Z
enough of interest can be inspired into the
life and teachings Of Deacon Richard Smith,
to keep up the circulation of the winding
:heet of private reputation-.But |
started on at " to say something of the
Tins, and l find that the odiousnes of O
comparison has led ME into vi,upera!iye
vein-the most distasteful recourse ofmine,
The idea of founding this able newspa-
per, it is almost needless to say, was con-
ceived by Col. Mcclure himself and the
only impediment in the way Of its instan.
tanious publication, arose from the GENTLE.
mans impaired pecuriary resources. Like
most great men: the Colonel hasn't devoted
much of his time to the governing Of
of " shin-plasters." When, however, his
idea Of starting a newspaper which should
have for its aim tie correction of
abu es in high places, without
fostering like sore, upon private charac-
ter, many and anxious were the monied
men Of Our patriotic city, who offered their
aid in furthering the noble project. Among
the foremost were the Mclaughlin Bros,
seutlem en- of high moral and business
standing in the community. So earnest
were they in their desire to place Mcclure
upon firm basis that they covenanted to
spend one hundred thousand dollar, If
such amount should be required, to place
the paper upon substantial basis. In fur.
therance Of the scheme, the two McLouph-
Inns and Mcclure, resolved themselves into
partnership, the former to be the publish
ers Of the paper, and the latter to guide its
social and political course. Their first aim
was to secure Forney's Press, and while
Col. Forney expressed himself as perfectly
to cede his right to the journal
named, strong opposition was encountered
On the part Of his wife, who is believed to
be the financial member of this marital
partnership. Mrs. Forney is very wor.
Thy lady, and justly prond of her distin.
yui'hed husband, and his ability to con-
Time the editorial management Of his own
paper and either for this reason or because
money enough wasn't offered by the would
be purchasers, the bargain was declared
'ft, and the Press was doomed to contin.
nance Of its slip-shod career-deprived
even Of the assistance Of Col. Fornev him.
,elf.
Just about this period the death Of Col
Biddle sealed the fate Of the Old Ape and
IS further usefulness as a leader Of the
Democracy was at an end. Mr.. Robb, its
managing editor, short gentleman Of .
'ery nervous temperament, wns delighted
nth The onpn,tuo;tr oAJ 49,, Il