The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-01-12
THuRLow WEED AND BENNETT.
a Remarkable Anecdote OF President
IlncoIn's Time.
Albany Journal.


Just before hostillties began (of the war
Of the rebellion) one OF the duties entrusted
TO him was 10 secure the influence Of the
New York Herald on the side of the admin
istration. The sympathies of the paper were
with the South, and its opposition to Mr..
Lincoln and Mr.. Seward encouraged rebel
lion and strengthed the rebel cause. Fer
nando Wood, then Mayor of New York, en-
tertained kindred sentiments. With Its
large circulation in Europe, the Herald was
creating dangerous public opinion abroad,
and II was felt that Mr.. Weed was the only
man that could bring about change In its
policy. The subject was brought before
Cabinet meeting, as our representatives In
England, France, Belgium and elsewhere
had impressed the government with the
necessity of action. 1t was agreed that Mr..
Weed should be asked 10 visit Mr.. Bennett.
Mr.. Seward stated TO the meeting that Mr..
Weeds relations with Mr.. Bennett were
such as to insure the failure Of the object
contemplated; but Mr.. Weed was summoned
to Washington by telegraph and told that
"hIs experience in feeling cats" pointed him
out as the man TO accomplish this special
task. Lincoln insisted that he should make
the trial and Weed returned by the next
train TO New York with that object. His
acquaintance with Bennett commenced in
1927, when the latter was Washington re-
porter. Weed was deeply interested In the
success of Henry Clay, whom Bennett re-
peatedly attacked and derided, SO that the
two journalists had been in direct an.agon-
ism. One charge made by Bennett had so
incenscd Mr.. Weed that not a word had
passed between the two for more than thirty
years, although they lived much together at
the Astor House, in New York, and were
brought otherwise In contact. On reaching
the city Weed sent word that lie wished 70
see Mr.. Bennett, and was invited to dinner
that afternoon at Washington Heights, whete
Bennett lived. The two editors sat a long
time at the table, aud the question was evil
IDENTIFY put before the Herald proprietor in
an entirely new light. In parting Mr.. Weed
quently 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 outspoken against
the rebellion. II was charged that Dir. Ben
nett had been inundated and that he had
been bought up by the administration, but
both of these accusations were wholly I'M
founded. Mr.. Weed appealed solely TO Mr..
Benefits judgment and TO his sense Of duty
as an influential journalist TO the Government
and TO the Union. A direct and simple ap.
peal, as Mr.. Weed so we'll knew how to
make It., was successful, and the social rela-
lions thus re-established between these two
journalists continued throughout tie re-
mainder of Mr.. Benefits life. Mr.. Lincoln
expressed 10 Mr. Weed his desire
to acknowledge in some way his sense Of
obligation to Mr.. Bennett, and some two
years afterward, when the French mission
was open, the President authorized Mr..
Wakeman, then surveyor Of the port, to offer
1t TO Mr.. Bennett, which offer, however, was
declined.