The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-02-10
A Marvellous Revolution.
"a rom the n. O. Republican,

supported ed very fair class of Journals
and disx sxussions and opinions wer,
both tolsrably free, except that tn,
chivalry made it point occasionall,
to call editors ont and shoot them fo1
criticisms that are now accepted al
proper aid right. The Picayune OWED
its birthsto the first fact, however, fol
it was started without other capita
than the wit of it's editors and the
ability 4 its compDsitors, and depen,
ded for success on the fact that it,
price wal only a picayune. 1t seems
that the people of that day wanted 6
cheap paper, and they also wanted 8
lively ore, and us the Picagune met
both of lese requirements, it grew il
fortune 3aily.
The msiin object of the above refer.
ence, however, was to recall the at.
tention of the people of New Orleans
to the ia Y that thirty-six years age
they enjoyed better journalistic era
than they did during the last ten OF
twelve years. Then there were news
papers published in the city that
treated all subjects fairly and advised
the pub&, honestly and without pref
udice VI n all questions touching the
general Elterest. We had two politi-
cal parties, and each had to stand up
on its merits, for the organs of public
opinion aneaded them and their pro-
jects as baker does his bread. What
was badNyas mercilessly exposed, and
what was good was wisely applauded,
according to the capacity of the wri-
ters of that day. And newspapers
were pat1onized according to the hon
esty and ability they displayed, which
is the ru that ought always to pre-
vail in Il efs matter. For it is pleas
ant thing, and a safe one, when a
community can trust its journals to
expose akd discuss whatever concerns
its intert4 FITS. RascaIity flies from that
society here the focus of an honest,
ubiquitofs, fearless and intelligent
press pusues and denounces it. New
Orleans Fever possessed so much po-
litical integrity as in the days whereof
we speak, The Wing party was then
in existe lee, and it kept its opponents
right by cleaving so closely to the
right itsd&
But til es changed. The reverse set
in at Warrington City on the inaugn-
ration fehe Democratic party, and it
speedily extended to New Orleans.
Old Hickory declared new gospel
about spoils and victors, and such
men as Slidell introduced the faith in
to Louisiana. Papers were brought
up in the interest OF partisans. Pat
ronage that had been free was resery-
ed as guerdon for political services,
and the press that had served to warn
and enlighten the people became a
means to delude and disgrace them.
So completely did the new system
master and subserve the journals of
5he city that in 1861 there was but
1ne class of newspapers in. New Or
cans. Every organ of public senti-
nent had been seduced or frightened
INTO an acceptance of the rebellion,
md while some advocated and en-
iorced the wickedness with all their
lbility, Ike the Delta, others, like the
Picoyune, merely tracked along be-
lind, fearful of the venture, but afraid
% protest against its prosecution.
Reason ed from the community when
he indd PENDENT press was sileneed by
or threats against its means
If living; and the people entered on a
career when the checks
hat haG instructed it wisely were en-
irely removed.
The History of Louisiana journalism
$ easily told. There was but one
Eeice to be heard in the community,
md the newspapers echoed it faith
ully and without a dissenting note.
The people held criticism to be trea-
on, and accepted of argument as if
hey hisd considered it suspicious
md dangerous thing. No journal that
old the truth and pressed its honest
Judgment upon the public could have
ived Through the fearful storm that
aged throughout the State from 1861
o the day when Farragut's fleet sailed
Up in font of the city in 1868. After
ndU pttf1Ou Unore was d feylVdl OF III
DEPENDENT journalism for short time,
he Era and True Delta both having
'een well supported, as they deserved
o be, Cor their ability and courage in
the events that were then
occurring.
With the restoration of peace the
light came on again. Slidellism re-
it's hold over the public mind,
nd ma newspaper that did not deny
he pEainest truths and assert the
.rossest falsehoods was allowed to as
ist the community with its sugges-
ions. Zone or two attempts were made
IA this direction but they failed be-
ause their originators merely advised
he acceptance of what was inevitable.
The Herald endured for week; the
COMMERCIAL lasted but for three or
our i.ionths; aud yet their only sin
onsisted in the suggestion that since
he negroes were free, it was not only
n the nature of things that they ought
0 be accepted as citizens, but it was
vident that the nation intended that
hey should be. The Democracy,