New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-07-22
NrWsP1PEES AND REPTTlTIoNS.

These shattered statesmen die hard. And AZ
each one goes down under the fire of the news
papers, with all flags flying, aud every flaunt-
ing lie set to the breeze, his last shot is
at the daily press With enc voice they
have all agreed that the press proSttuted
its influence to crafty personal hatred,
or wantonly blew regulations to pieces
to prove its ability to unmake men rs well rs
to make them. 1t was corrupt; its license was
without limit it assailed without mercy, and
Slandcred without pretcxt. More than this.
Newspapers were not only ungratetul them
selves, but they were teaching the Republic to
he ungratcful. Long years of faithful and
honest service could be swept away by a
single broadside of lies and nnuendoes and
the structure of LIES reputation crumbled
down by explosions of malicious squibs and
lcft-handed charges. The voice of the people,
which is so often the voice Of the press. WAS
catching the same key. Reputation was no
longer worth accommodating. Ii had ceased to
be worth living for, when it could be over
thrown by mere accusation, and Indictment
was equal to conviction. The deluSe of SANDER
and conspiracy had come, and all good men
were going down together. Gutenberg might
better have left types alone than have had the
Devil for his only heir
1t is hardly necessary to tell newspaper
readers that these mournful whines came from
men who Sworc to lies on the Book of Truth,
and took oath that hands that had been deep
in theft were white as snow Pensioners of
the Credit Mobilier and Senators owned by
railroads lawyers who became legislators only
for their clients canal contractors who found
themselves as badly unbalanced rs their
bids, and canal claim attorneys, who
grew rich on fraudulent claims and then
set up in business as reformcrs lobby
lists who sat in the seats of representatives,
and lobbyists who found pressing business OF
an agricultural nature in Canada when the
courts wanted to try them for perjury-tbe
whole crew of disrcputablc and doubtful pol
iticilns and shystcrs joined in the cry. The
truth il, as usual, just the reverse of what
these worthless proclaim it to he. There never
was time, in our opinion, when responsible
newspapers watched their utterances with so
much care, or when the people themselves, so
far from Selling and accepting every scandal
within their reach, were so slow to be
convinced. There are always, of course,
readers and newspapers who revel in horrors,
hut they soon find their level in society. The
great, decent puDUc comes 10 see DcIoic long
that only those puyey filth who like to handle
il, and such journals decrease in influence as
they increase in circulation. So far from a
newspaper attack being necessarily fatal 10 the
prospects of public man, there Is nothing
that so nearly approaches blank cartridge,
if its only foundation is in malice. When
the great man himself furnishes the am
munition, that Is quite different
thing. He cannot complain if his own
! words and acts are used to riddle him.
His enemies may be awakened to fresh activ-
ity by baseless attacks, but such assaults sim
ply strengthen him with his friends and tho
unbiased public. Indeed, the American people
cling to their ideals with rare tenacity, and
with devotion that nothing short of damning
proof can overturn. There are countless ex-
amples of this among the guilty as we'll rs the