A common expression amongst Cockneys, “Gordon Bennett!” is a relic of “auld dacency” when blasphemy was considered bad form. It, like “By Jove” among the even politer classes saved them taking their Divine Lord’s Name in vain. It seems that in today’s Ireland such control of one’s tongue is considered politically incorrect by some citizens who would crawl to lick the boots of a member of the British House of Peers or even the Commons.
James Gordon Bennett II was owner of the New York Herald. The recent film “The Greatest Entertainer” named for Phineas T Barnum (a great film) recalled how Bennett attacked Barnum’s entertainments, and his friendship with the singer Jenny Lind. One might infer that Barnum was a great humbug and Bennett a champion of higher cultural and moral values. It was rather more complicated than that.
It was said (apparently wrongly) that Barnum based his life on the principle that there was a sucker born every minute. When Princess Diana was killed Bob Geldof was all over the media like a wet suit – blaming the media.I thought that a bit rich, and later wrote that Geldof and Princess Diana had probably each eclipsed Barnum’s record of media manipulation.
But after seeing “The Greatest Showman” I did a little research and discovered more about Barnum and more about Bennett. Barnum went into politics championing the abolition of slavery, and the rights of all races and religions and was generally a good egg.
Not so James Gordon Bennett II, who inherited a fortune, had private railroad cars, raced and won transatlantic yacht races in his own yacht, had innumerable mistresses and sponsored many sports and explorations, all to the glory of James Gordon Bennett II. He also published a Paris edition of the New York Herald. He sponsored, most memorably Henry Morton Stanley’s search for Dr Livingstone Stanley another larger than life, more probably lower than life, creature, who dedicated his report to King Leopold II , of the Belgians. Leopold posed as the benefactors of Africans whilst his agents murdered them by the million.
Belgium is still proud of King Leopold II, having benefitted hugely from his crimes. The greatest honour that State can confer on anyone is named after that monster. Amongst who have worn that honour with pride was the late Peter Sutherland. Still wearing it, without shame, is that Ragged-Schooled Philanthropist, and Benefactor of Africans,Bob Geldof.
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