Page:History of Journalism in the United States.djvu/290

264 create an honorable reputation during life, and to leave something after my death for which posterity will honor my memory. I am building up a newspaper establishment that will take the lead of all others that ever appeared in the world, in virtue, in morals, in science, in knowledge, in industry, in taste, in power, in influence. No public reputation can be lasting unless it is built on private character and virtue. My whole private life has been one of virtue, integrity and honorable effort, in every relation of society. Dissipation, extravagance, and fashionable follies never had any charms for me. . . . This has been the cause of the success attending the Herald."

The sophisticated reader will feel that there is a great deal of the ridiculous in this, but—viewing Bennett as an instrument, as one affecting thousands,—it must be remembered that it was better than shooting those who resented his attacks. It must not be supposed for a moment that he was the exponent of non-resistance—on the contrary, he made those who injured him suffer—but he was just Scotch enough to select his own weapons, and fortunately they are the weapons of which civilization has approved.

Of the personal tributes to himself, perhaps the most individual was that contained in his announcement of his forthcoming marriage. With proper headlines, it appeared as follows: