Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-05-26

ability, tact and fiery zeal which have had but fe
parallels in the newspaper press Of the country.
Writing, as We do, in the absence Of the earle
files Of the paper, We do not give precise dates
but we reoolleot the retirement of Messrs. LONG an
LAUoHLm from the paper within the first year Q
two Of its existence. Mr.. LAUGHLH was after
wards connected with it as editor during the can
ass Of 1874, and died some years since in Washing
ton. JOEL NJ. SMITH, Esq, with the retirement c
the gentlemen named above, became the prOprietO
and business man Of the establishment. Mr.. Cur
xIEaHAM and Mt BRADToRD, both, we believe, frOr
Kentucky were eae for short periods prior to 1885
engaged as editors. Mr.. BRADFoRD is now purse
in the Navy. We do not know whether Mr.. Gus
EBsHAM is yet living or not.
In February, 1889, Mr.. SMITH introduced to tn
readers of the paper as its editor Col J. Geo. HAR
BIs. This was the year when Mr.. Polk first "a
for Governor Of the State, and vas the year of tn
FIRST serious effort by the democrats to reclaim tn
State. The canvass, both by Mr.. Polk and by tn
UNION, was the most brilliant which has ever bee
known. It was successful in The election Of Mr.
PoLK as Governor, and it greatly increased the re
putation and the circulation Of the UNION.
From 1889 to 1916 there was no cessation Of hos
tity between the opposing parties, or in the energ1
. with which the UNION was conducted
In Is48 Col HARRIS sold the paper to MessrI
Thomas HOGAN and JOHN P. HESS. Col HARRIi
filed commercial appointment in Europe for
year or two after his withdrawal, and is now pur
ser in the Navy; retaining his citizenship here
with the warm regard Of the democratic party
and spending h. vacations in Nashville and vicinity
Poor HOGAN, one Of the most amiable of men as
well man Of great intelligence and tact, died Of
consumption early in 1874, and was succeeded as
editor by Col LAUeBLH
After the election Of Mr.. Polk as President in
November, 1914, Mr.. HISS sold the paper to j. G.
sHEPARD, who engaged editor Hon. A. o. P.
NICHOLSON, then as well as now among the best
known, able, and influential of the leaders Of the
democratic party, who has since filed with eminent
ability the editorial chair Of the Washington Union,
and is now Senator elect to I'll the seat which will
be finally vacated by JOHN BELL in 1859: the end Of
the struggle Of than twenty years. thus briefly
reviewed here, being the displacement Of the leader
of the traitors of 1886 by one of those democrats
who had resisted the treason in It's origin and pursued
the traitors to their final catastrophe in Know Moth
ingism; an admirable lesson, not only Of retribu-
ton, but Of that even-handed justice, which, in
politics as well in morals, 'eommends the poison
ed chalice to The lips" of those who mad prepared
it for others
Mr.. NICHOLSON retired from the paper in 1847,
and gave place to Mr.. E. G. EASTMAN Mr. E. had
founded in 1889, the Knozpils Argus, and editor
Of ha; paper, had participated in the severe srug
giles Of the period from 1889 to 1915 As he is one
Of the present publishers hereof, and "not to put
too fine point upon it, as it is with his pen that
these historical "reminiscences are written we Will
say no more about him.
In 1850. Hon. HARVEY NJ WATTERsoE, who, du-
ring the preceding winter, had become purchaser
Of the UNION office, concluded also TO become its
editor, and Mr. EAsrdsE purchased half the ANERI
CAN Office, and became, Jointly with Col. THOMAS
B0TERs, editor and publisher of that paper. Mr..
WATTERsoN soon tired of editorial life and employed
CHARLES EANEs, ESQ, now Minister Resident at
Venezuela, as editor. His connection with the paper
was however, but brief; and in 1851 the paper was
purchased by W. WEATHFRFoRD, NJ. C. c. CHURCH,
and JOHN L MARLNG: the latter gentleman acting
as editor. Mr.. WEATHEEFOKD soon sold his interest
TO his remaining partners; who continued its pubi
cation until, on the 18th May, 1858, the paper was
united with the American, and the NASHVILLE UNION
AND AMERICAN took the place of the two democratic
papers of Nashville.
The NASHVILLE AMERICAS was established in the
spring of l84S, by JAMES THOMPSON. He engaged
soon after its establishment the services of Dr.. w.
P RowLEs as editor DR.. ROwLEs had been a mem
Der Of our State Senate, and was not only gentle
msn Of large intelligence but admirable news
paper writer. He left the paper after the close Of
the Presidential contest of l84S aud died few years
after, universally regretted. Mr.. THOMPSON, soon
after he commenced the paper, took into the office
ms partner Mr. WILLIAM NJ. Hutton, afterwards one
ofthe publishers Of the Memphis Appeal, and now of
the Memphis AUalaHcbs. Mr.. THOMPSON soon left
the paper, and was succeeded by Col THOMAS
BoTERs; a gentleman second to few If any Of his
predecessors in that versatility and tact which are
among the most essential qualities Of a successful
editor Mr.. EASTMAN, as before noticed,
took the place of Mr.. HUTTON in 1850; and con-
tinued in the establishment until the union Of the
two papers in 1858.
In September, 1852, Col ToRBETT-then Of Jack
son, but who had been member Of both branches
Of the State Legislature from his native county of
Monroe,-and with an ACQUAINTANCE and position
with the democracy Of the State second to no
man with whom we we're acquainted, purchased
half the AMERICAN Office, and brought to it judg-
ment and experience which at once secured its
pecuniary success He continued in the paper until
its union with its democratic co-laborer and them
until his recent withdrawal was the hOnOred head
f-1
by his partners and by all having business with the
office.
The NASHVILLE UNIuN AND AMERICAN was estab- |
ished on the 10th May, 1888, by the union Of the
Two democratic papers Of Nashville: the proprie-
tors being JoHS L. MABLIEG, E. G. EASTMAN. G. c. !
ToRBETT, and NJ C. c. CHURCH The aggregate |
subscription list Of the UMoN in its different edi-
lions, was 2l0O; and Of the AMERICAN, 1000: the /
JOINT circulation Of the two papers being 400. But
IS many persons were subscribers to both papers,
and the list, on the union was pruned Of many |
subscribers, the entire circulation Of
The UNION AND AMERICAN for the first month Of its |
publication, did not exceed $500. We now print, |
II our different editions, more than 1000 copies: /
N increase which satifes as well our pride as our
iesire to be comfortable.
Mr.. MARLN0, one Of our original partners in this
paper was every way one Of its best and brsvest
men. BE disposed Of his interest in the paper a
rear after the union, on being appointed Minister
% Guatemala by President PIERCE. He died ofcop.
sumption year or two after his appointment but
le died at home loved and mOurned by all who
new him. Mr.. CHURCH sold his interest in the
,fice to Mr.. DUNNNGToN two years ago and now
yol. TORBrTr leaves for other pursuits.
Of those who have been connected with the paper,
e editors and publishers, for the twenty three years
ince the UEIoE was established, LAUGHLIN and
4oesE and MAILING and RowLEs, are dead All
be others, 50 far IS we know, are living
We are running these historical and personal
collections to much greater length than we
Itended; but the years of which we write found
a. in the early flush of manhood and leave us
then gray hairs and wrinkles admonish US that
he doVnhilI Of life has commenced with US also