The Portland daily press., 1882-12-05
Thurlow Weed and the Elder Ben

46bbs
The following remarkable anecdote of Thur
low Weed and James Gordon Bennett an
peared in the Albany Evening Journal:
just before hostilities began (of the war of
the RebelioD) one of the duties intrusted to
him was to secure the influence of the New
York Herald on the side of the Administra-
ton. The sympathies of that paper we're with
the South, and its opposition to Mr. Lincoln
and Mr. Seward encouraged rebellion and
strengthened the rebel cause. Fernando
Wood. then mayor of New York, entertained
kindred sentiments With it's large circula-
tion in Europe, the Herald was creating dan
gerous public opinion abroad, and i was felt
that Mr.. Weed was the only man who could
bring about a change in its policy. The sub
lect was brought before a cabinet meeting, as
our representatives in ENGLAND, France, Bel
GUM and elsew here had impressed the Gov
eminent with the necessity of action. 1t was
agreed that Mr. Weed should be asked to visit
Mr.. Bennett. Mr. Seward stated TO the meet
ing that Mr.. Weeds relations with Mr. Ben
nett were such as to insure the failure of the
object contemplated; but Mr.. Weed was sum-
moned to Washington by telegraph and told
that his experience in telling cats"
pointed him ont as the man to accomplish this
special task. Lincoln ius sted that he should
make the trial, ana Weed returned by the next
train to New York with that object. His nc
qnaintance with Bennett commenced ip 1927
when the latter was Washington reporI.r
Weed was deeply interested in the success If
henry Clay, Whom Bennett repeatedly at
tackled and DER ded. so that the two journalists
had been in dire CT antagohism. One charge
made by Bennett had go incensed Mr. Weed
that not word had passed betwee the two
Tor more than thirty Years, although they lived
much together at the Aston House in New
York and we're brought O herwse in contact.
On reaching the city, Weed sent word that ne
wished TO see Mr.. Bennett, and was invited to
dinner that afternoon at Washington Heights,
where Bennett lived. The two editors sat a
long time at table, and the question was evil
debtly put before the Herald proprietor in an
entirely new light LII parting, Mr.. Weed was
cordially invited to visit his host frequently at
his Office and residence. Nothing was then
SAID in regard to the future course of the
Herald, but that journal came promptly to the
support of the Government, and remained
earnest and outsppken against the Rebellion.
II was charged hat Mr.. Bennett had been in
Inundated, and that he had been bought up by
the Administration, but both of these accusa-
tions were wholly unfounded. Mr.. Weed ap-
pealed solely TO Mr.. BeDnett's judgment, aud
to his sense of duty influential Journalist
10 the Government and TO the Union. A di-
rect and simple appeal, as Mr.. Weed SO well
knew how to make it, was successful and tle
social relations thus re-established between
III Sc two journalists continued throughout
the remainder of Mr.. Benefits life. Mr. Lin
coin frequently expressed to Mr.. Wee his de-
sire 10 acknowledge III some way his sense of
obligation 10 Bennett, and some two wears af-
terward, when The FIR nch Mission was open,
the President authorized Mr.. Wakeman, then
surveyor OF the port, to offer it to Mr.. Bennett,
which offer, however, was declined.