Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-03-04
Stauntun Spettator.
Tuesday, March 4, 1878.
The Press Sixty Years ago and Now.

The. Press Sixty Years ago and Now.
We are indebted to Lewis Wise, Esq.,. for
the New York Herald. of Sept. 3rd, 1908;
The Staunton Eagle, (ancestor to Republican
Farmer, which became the Spectator in 1929
of Nov. 18th, 1907, and the Spectator, of Dec.
9th, 1888.
What history this old yellow copy of the
Herald could tell of its slow wandering from
New York to Warm Springs, Va, and what
changes reading IFS columns bring up, as we
look upon the present Herald, filed with news
of the preceding day, from all parts of the
world? Though not the Herald started by
Bennett, its name brings up the startling con-
trast. It is small FIVE column, 20 by 26 inch
paper and the others are about the same size
No publishers names are given, and it is
full of politics, pitches into President Jefferson
for the Embargo" and his sympathy with Ma
poleon the 1st, and has news from Spain OF
June 7th, translated from Spanish papers for
Boston Gazette" Think of the present Her
aid relying on Boston for news The war in
Spain RACES, and the news reads like Yankee
dispatches during the Slate unpleasantuess,"
'fulI Of sound and fury, signifying nothing"
It is warm for the Spanish PATRIOTS" bitter
on the French and leans to England. 1t calls
Mr.. Madison, Madison de la Virgins" and
says Clinton, of New York, is his "Sancho. -
The old Northern spite against everything
Southern crops out in every political line. 1t
takes from Aug. 10th till Sept. 3rd to get news
from Rutland, Vermont, and other parts Of the
country 10 proportion. 1t advertises $4,000
acres Of Kentucky and Ohio lands cheap, and
has about enough advertising to fill column of
the present Herald.
The Staunton Eagle was printed on fine paper,
made ct the paper mill, which stood where
Ast's mill is now. cit was published doors
above Mr.. Gongall's Tavern, 1.-THE present
Woodward House site, by Jacob Dietrich, at
81 per annum; advertising one square lines
for 81 and Is cents for each additional inser-
tion." 1t has DO local news and no editorial,
but is full Of Federal politics" and down on
the Republicans, as the Democrats were then
called. Its market reports quote -four at $751;
per barrel butter, Is cents bacon, Is cents ;
wheat. 81; whiskey. 40 cents per gallon; and
iron, $ll0 per ton. 6. G. Garner advertises
the American Hotel. Middebrook. and o. E.
Edmongon 'for a respectable boy to keep.bar. "
Jno. & Geo. Heiskell offer Spanish hides for
sale; lots Of runaway negroes are posted and
many wish to buy young and likely lots fol
Southern markets" W. s. Crawford is clerk.
A fire 10 fredericksburg, destroying As houses,
is reported; the death of Major Samuel Hous-
Elias Dayton, President Of CINCINNATI Society.
The killing of Mr Thornton, by VIM. Taylor
of Lexington, is also noted. The printing is
clear, but, as a newspaper, the Eagle would
have TO ''roost low" these times.
The Spectator, of 1888. was edited by Kentop
Harper and was eatimpr0yement OF the La
gle but we can find but one local in it. Il
has miscellany MIR. Clay's land bili' and
regrets over its defeat; Congressional news, IL
days old, paragraphs and poetry. George Geigel
wants to buy 30 young negroes. M. Quinland
aud John Strayer want to pay SIS for runaway
apprentices. and Quinland adyertises also 'tht
latest London and Paris fits at his tailor shop
The Cheat Mountain Turnpike is advertised tt
the lowest bidders, also the building of Merho
dist Episcopal Church, Greenviile. 1t is noted
''that the AIleghanies have been at last scaled
with postage road" &c. The death Of Major
Jack Downing announced, and the money pres
sure said TO have never been SO severe" There
is no editorial" and the single local reports
''snow Is inches deep here and Lexington; 2t
at Fredericksburg and 3 at Baltimore" Tit
wonderful progress in the newspaper business
is most strongly set forth by what We gathe
from these old papers From the great Herald
through the Whole press OF the country, there
has been a marvellous advance in making up
newspaper, and everyday adds to their resources
and usefulness Looking back thro' their pages
We can see nothing to long for in the good ole
times" without railroads, telegraphs and gooc
roads, and all modern appliances for happiness
aud comfort, but much to be thankful for, anC
still more to work for, 10 the future, to keeI
the Spectator fully abreast Of the times
The press now, though far IL advance of tn,
past age and advancing, is still far from wha
it should and wiii yet be. Especially is thi
true Of tie country press, whose curse Is haV
ing men in control Of many papers, who do no
appreciate the honor or responsibility OF thei
position as members OF the fourth estate. -
Their only idea Of making paper seems to b.
to Ell up" go many columns. Then il is ST
easy to cut cut long editorials from leading pa
pers 'so-called' and articles Of no interest what
ever to their home readers, while it takes talent
hard work, and plenty of it, to condense, Sc
lect and write original ideas on topics Of inter
est. Ii is lazy, idle life to such pretenders a
true journalism, and they are content to live o,
SO, constantly complaining Of the people fo
not supporting home papers, when the Wonde
is the people take the trash at all In tn
newspaper, as in all successful business worl
and the value Of the article tells, and a goot
paper, devoted to home interests, giving all th
local news aud the general news from the worlt
at large, viii always flourish, without mendi
cant appeals for support, while the worthless
article dies. as il should, though sometimes no
soon enough. 1t is a great profession, and it re
quires more work aud ability to make a goot
weekly than daily. AS we progress: tn
drones will be rooted out. and live men, full.
conscious of their duty, come ID, and they will
in few years, make the country newspaper VIVA
it should be-the great power in the land