The New York herald., 1875-11-18
journalism and Progress.

The compliment paid to Mr.. Stanley, the
correspondent Of the New YORK HERALD
who is now finishing DR.. Livingstone's work
in Africa, by a gentleman as distinguished
as Sir Henry Rawlinson is not merely trib-
ute to the intrepidity and foresight of Mr.
Stanley but an illustration of the progress
Of modern journalism. Sir Henry Rawlinson
is an authority upon Oriental questions
Much Of his life was spent in the East. He
is now member Of the Board of Council
for the government Of the East India domin-
IONS He comedies to Mr.. Stanley "a title to
rank with the greatest explorers" He thinks
that the fitting out Of the expedition of the
London Telegraph and the New York HERALD
shows munifcence (which puts to shame
our public institutions, and has given an
impetus ITO African explorations that must
soon produce practical results to COM
merce and civilization"
The fact that the press, as repre-
sented by the London Telegraph and
the HERALD is enabled to identify
itself with the highest form Of progress
and civilization, is a compliment to
Sir Henry Rawlinson. 1t shows, further
more, that in the progress Of our free insti-
tutions the press must, from day to day, as
sumo a higher position. This is not because
journalists are, as a class, any better any
wiser, any more infallible than other people,
but because they are sustained by public
opinion which respects independence. Rest
ing upon the people for its support, iden-
tifying itself with the welfare and pros
perity Of society, with no interest transcend
ing that Of the public welfare, daring to at
tack what is wrong and brave enough to
support what is right with the people in
peace and in war, in JOY and in sorrow;
sharing their hopes, their fears and their
ambitions, journalism becomes, as it were,
the highest expression Of progressive civiliza-
tion. Naturally, therefore, it seeks o func-
ton like that now performed by Mr..
Stanley. As it grows in strength it grows in
desire and enterprise. 1t is not enough to re-
port the murder around the corner, or the
fire across the street, or the debates in Con-
gress, or even the battle or the plains Of
France it is not enough to take up public
question, to destroy an error like repudia-
ton, to sustain truth like free trade, to
fight d corrupt combination like the Indian
Ring, TO support a reform Governor like Mr..
Tilden, to assail an Indifferent admins
tration like that of Grant. All these are
responsibilities and at times, duties of jour
nalism. There is higher duty which
barotofora has been the work Of nations ar
of adventurous individuals. 1t adds to
its news discoveries and the solution Of
those great problems Of creation which have
never been mastered by the genius Of men.
Mr.. Stanley's expedition into Central Africa
is only another form Of the news gathering
for which We send a reporter when we hear
Of an affray in the lower wards. But the
difference between the ordinary reporting Of
the press and that Of an expedition like Mr..
Stanley's is precisely the difference between
journalism in its first conception-the mere
gathering and printing Of news-and jour
nalsm as il Is now-the embodiment Of the
strength and freedom and courage Of great
nation.
Mr.. CHARLES NoRDHoFF addresses us q let
ter, published in another column, in refer
ence to the work now doing by Moody and
Sankey over in Brooklyn. This brilliant
summary Of what these distinguished gentle-
men have done and their manner of labor
will be Of deepest interest to the thousands
who have listened to their ministrations and
the tens of thousands who look upon their