New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-02-02
A,MARvEL0US REVOLUTION.

nifty supported a very fair class OF jour-
nails, and discussion and opinions were
both tolerably free, except that the chival-
~ made it a point occasionally to call edi,
tors out and shoot them for criticisms that
are now accepted as proper and right.
The Picasntne owed its birth to the first
fact, however, for it was started without
other capital than the wit of its editors
and the ability of its compositors, and de-
pended for success on the fact that its
price was only picayune. 1t seems that
the people of that day wanted cheap pa
per, and they also wanted lively one,
and as the Picayu,,e met both of these re-
quirements it grew in fortune daily.
The main object of the above reference,
however, was to recall the attention of the
people of New Orleans to the fact that
thity-six years ago they enjoyed better
journalistic era than they did during the
last ten or twelve years. Then there were
newspapers published in the city that
treated all subjects fairly and advised the
public honestly and without prejudice
upon all questions touching the general
interest We had two political parties,
and each had to stand upon its merits, for
the organs of public opinion kneaded them
and their projects as baker does his
dough. What was bad was mercilessly
exposed, and what was good was wisely
applauded, according to the capacity of
the writer's of that day. And newspapers
were patronized according to the honesty
and ability they displayed, which is the
rule that ought always to prevail III this
matter. For it is pleasant thing. and
safe one, when q community can trust its
journals to expose and discuss whatever
concerns its interests. Rascality flies from
that society where the focus of an honest,
ubiquitous, fearless and intelligent press
pursues and denounces it. New Orleans
never possessed so much political integrity
as in the days whereof We speak. The
Wing party was then in existence, and it
kept its opponents right by cleaving SO
close to the right itself.
But times changed. The reverse set in
at Washington City on the Inauguration
of the Democratic party. and it speedily
to New Orleans. Old Hickory
declared new gospel about spoils and
and such men as Slidell introduced
the faith into Louisiana. Papers were
bought up in the interest of partisans.
Patronage that had been free was reserved
as guerdon for political services, and the
press that had served to warn and en-
tighten the people became means to de-
lude and degrade them. So completely
did the new system master and subvert
the journals of the city that in 1861 there
was but one class of newspapers in New
Orleans. Every organ of public sentiment
had been seduced or frightened into an
acceptance of the rebellion, and while
some advocated and enforced the wicked
ness with all their ability, like the Delta,
others, like the PicaWu,e, merely tracked
along behind, fearful OF the venture but
afraid to protest against its prosecution.
Reason fled from the community when the
press wa, silenced by subsi-
dies or threats against its means of living
and the people entered on a maddened
.areer when the checks that had instructed
It wisely were entirely removed.
The history of Louisiana journalism is
easily told There was but one voice to
De heard in the community, and the
echoed it faithfully and with
out dissenting note. The people held
criticism to be treason, and accepted of
argument as if they had considered it
suspicious and dangerous thing. No jour
nal that told the truth and pressed its
honest judgment upon the public could
nave lived through the fearful storm that
aged throughout the State from 1861 to
he day when Farragut's fleet sailed up in
ront of the city in 1868. After that
period there was revival of independent
journalism for short time, the Era and
True Delta both having been well sup
ported, as they deserved to be. for their
,bility and courage in discussing the
vent, that were then occurring.
With the restoration Of peace the night
anne on again. Slidellism reasserted its
lold over the public mind. and no news
PAPER that did not deny the plainest truths
nd assert the grossest falseholds was al
owed to assist the community with its
One or two attempts were
made in this direction, but they failed be-
ause their originators merely advised the
acceptance of what was inevitable. The
Herald endured for week; the Commercial
asted but for three or four months; and
yet their only sin consisted in the sugges-
ion that since the negroes were free, 1t
Vas not only in the nature OF things that
hey ought to be accepted as citizens, but
t was evident that the nation intended
hat they should be. The Democracy,
however, was too mad TO be wise: and thu,
hey providentially lost the opportunity of
adopting policy which would have re-
suited disastrously to the country at large.
God is seen in this, if His name is not
% be found in the constitution: for the
people of this State will some day ac-
their good fortune in having
escaped from tie prolonged dominion of
he Democracy.
At last the II publican was devised as