The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-02-20
EW RLEANS:
TUESDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 20. 1s4o


In the Delta of Sunday morning We perceive
an article purportng to be the production Of Mr..
X. u. w. Jewell in the course of which the writer
takes occasion to animadvert with, perhaps. some
severity upon the course of this paper towards Mr.
Peoples, with whom Mr.. J. claims to dispute the
honor of being the pioneer of the American Press
IN Mexico The unpleasant, and probably thank
less labor Of endeavoring to open the eyes of the
world to the appreciation of fact, of which other
wise 1t might remain in total ignorance, he has
assumed, not from any selfish motives, but merely
that society may be set right upon very important
point, and that justice may be done the really
deserving. In the assumption of this herculean
task, the difficulties of which might appal a man
less energetic if not less modest Mr. j. has, unfor-
tunately for the success of his undertaking. made
it apparent, that although his motives are not at all
Of selfish character, it is to be distinctly under
0ood that one but himself is entitled to the dis
puted honors Influenced by the most charitable
feelings, we are willing to suppose, what in any
other case might be considered forced SUPPOSE
ton, that Mr.. j. has reluctantly permitted his ref.
ned sense of justice to overcome his natural diff
dence, so far as to compel him, unwillingly, it is
true, to present himself before the world in the
character of hero.
We have said before that we did not intend to
write history of the Mexico American Press,
neither would we even if we considered the point
worthy of it, be drawn into controversy upon the
subject. Our remarks concerning Mr.. Peoples
were no more than he was deserving of, and if, as
Mr.. Jewel says, in relating our correspondents
career, wsNaye been obliged to "select the prin.
cpal points of the history of the press in Mexico
who can fail to perceive that the subject Of our
article must have been, the writer of the COM
munication in the Delta cassically terms him,
=" The big dog Of the barn-yard" If Mr.. J. is emu
lous of that distinction, and should succeed in
attaining it, the appropriateness of the metaphor
would be rather more evident.
But although we have not Mr. Jewell has as
sumed in his communication the responsibilities of
the historian; and in order to diminish the merit
due Mr. Peoples, has tried to place of it to the
credit of others. Among these he mentions the
Monterey Pioneer and its editor, whose name he
does not recollect That person is very we'll known
to us, and is in truth the writer of many of the ari
cles concerning our correspondent He does not
claim the merit aspire to the distinction of being
considered one of the 8 pioneers of the American
Press in Meyco;" and as he does not himself de-
sire the honor, he is unwilling that it should be
thrust upon him by others for the mere purpose of
selfexaltation. The contest then may be consider.
ed narrowed by the voluntary withdrawal of one
whom Mr. J. has sought to place in the position of
an asprant for undeserved honors
But if we continue our remarks we may lay our
selves liable to the imputation of violating our in
tention not to be drawn into a controversy. We |
have only to say, that far as having been con-
nected with more newspapers, having through those
connections been placed in more dangerous posi-
items than any other man in Mexico; and having |
published the first American Journal in the cap
ita of the enemy, still consider Mr.. Peoples |
the "pioneer of the American press in Mexico If |
we credited to him, an article written by Mr.. |
Jewell, it was only because discerned some
merit in ii. As for ourselves, we think we shall |
manage to escape humiliation, unless some more
powerful attack is made upon