The New York herald., 1876-10-21
The Herald and It's Readers-A New
Step In the Old Direction.

lSeS OF ltS nrSt leading aItlcle Were
made to be kept, and not for mere
buncombe, like those usually put forth in
prospectus. We will insert brief excerpt
from pledges which can be recalled after
nearly half n century without being put to
shame by any failure of fulfilment during
so long a period. On Wednesday, May 5,
1885, the HERALD said in its first leading mr.
ticle:-'.In debuts of this kind many people
talk of principle-political principle-par
principle as a sort of steel trap to catch the
public. We mean to be perfectly under
stood on this point, and therefore openly
disclaim all steel traps-all principle, as
it is called-all party. all politics.
Our only guide shall be good sound
practical common sense, applicable to
the business and bosoms of men engaged
in everyday life. We shall support no
party-be the organ of no faction or coterie,
and care nothing for any election or any
candidate from President down to con-
stable. We shall endeavor to record facts
on every public and proper subject, stripped
of verbiage and coloring, with comments,
when suitable. just, independent fearless
aud good tempered"
This thoroughly anti-humbug proposal
took with the public of that day, and as
soon as they realized its downright sincerity
they began to pour in subscriptions at
marvellous rate The idea has con-
tinued to take from that day to
this, and the genuine anti-humbug
little bark which then spread its sails has
been favored by brisk winds and popular
gales which have waited it on prosperous
course thus far on its eventful voyage The
HERALD has been so great favor
ite because it has always hit the
temper of the popular mind, which has
keen relish for truth fearlessly spoken,
for enterprise, dash, audacity in assailing
shams, skill, industry, promptitude in
gathering news and courage in presenting and
discussing it. We have had many controver-
sies-sometimes fierce ones-controversies
with men in power and with pretenders and
charlatans out Of power, but we have always
retained the confidence and piqued the
curiosity Of our vast body of readers. Strong
in their unfailing support we have never had
a misgiving, certain that SO long as we print
a newspaper which the public is eager
to read the want on the one side and the
supply on the other will insure the stability
of the market. In a country where there is
no government censorship or suppression
it would be as impossible to dam Niagara
as to interpose obstacles to the circula-
ton of newspaper which suits the popular
taste.
Among the last things we ever expected
was difficulty with the useful class of mid
dlemen who live and thrive by act
ing as agents in distributing the
HERALD The fact is that we created
their occupation in this country. BY
the old plan every newspaper employed
its own carriers and besides the profits Of
publ ation it retained also the profits of dis
tributing the journal after it was issued from
the press. The HERALD, accessible to new
ideas from the beginning and willing to
sslive and let live," first established
the practice Of admitting middlemen
to share the profits Of distribution, and laid
the foundation Of what has grown up to be
m immense and profitable business for
others. In the tenth number of the HERALD
it explained to the public this method of
distribution, then novelty in this country.
"The distribution Of the HERALD" it then
said, sis conducted on plan different
from that of the large morning papers.
"The London plan, which we have
partially adopted, is the most convenient
for great and growing city, and the exist
ing papers will have sooner or later to adopt
it to certain extent" We ask no gratitude
for having introduced q plan which has
served our convenience as well rs the profit of
the middlemen whom we created, but this
seems fit occasion for reminding them
that they are o class which the HERALD
brought into existence. We have always
regarded them with favor, have sought
to maintain good understanding with
them and wish their prosperity; but
they must be content with their own
business, and not attempt to manage
ours. We have reduced the price of
the HERALD because equity to the public
requires that when the prices of oil other
things go down that of newspapers should
decline in the same proportion. There is
precisely the same reason and the same JUS
tice that the cost of distributing newspapers
should follow the general rule as that
newspapers themselves should be sold at
less price. To this tho middle
men object but they might as well attempt
to resist the law of gravitation as the great
law of trade which has forced down the
prices of labor and of all commodities. 1t
is not the HERALD that they are fighting, but
a law of trade, which is also q law Of nature,
to a law which every class of employments
is compelled to succumb. Their vain re-
sistance is '.kicking against the pricks.
It is absurd for any one class to think it can
maintain itself at the old level when
the tida on which all business hoated