The Herald stood at the outset of its career manfully in the face of unspeakable obloquy against it.

The public understood it and rose to it.

The time came when the elder Bennett was to attain official as well as popular recognition.

Mr.
Lincoln offered him the French mission and Mr.Bennett declined it.
He was rich and famous, and to another it might have seemed a kind of crowning glory.

To him it seemed only a coming down--a badge of servitude--a lowering of the flag of independent journalism under which, and under which alone, he had fought all his life.
Charles A.Dana was not far behind the Bennetts in his independence.
He well knew what parties and politicians are.