Evening star., 1899-03-25
GROWTH OF THE STAR.
Steadily Prosperous From Its First
Issue in 1852.

issue In 1S0S.
Things were different when The Evening
Star began to scinullate in the newspaper
armament forty-six years and more ago.
When its initial number was issued De-
cember 4, 1852, slavery was an institution.
there radical and determined diff
ference of opinion among citizens of the
United States whether they were citizens
of a nation or not. Half the country held
tenaciously to the theory of states rights
and all the sovereignty implied thereby.
The country was approaching the most
awful crisis in its history. No one knew It
then, but at this remote day the student of
causes and effects can plainly see how war
was inevitable between the people of the
United States. If the nation was different
what can be said of the city of Washing
ton at that time? 1t contained a popula-
ton of 10000 scattered over a vast area,
which amply excused the genius which
called it the city Of magnificent distances"
The germ of a great capital city was there.
living, but latent, only needing the fertile
inspiration of progress and purpose to de-
velop it into vigorous growth. Today the
capital city of the Union occupies proud
position among the cities of the world. In
its advancement to this proper plane, in its
growth in every direction it has had in
every sense a close and intimate COM
panion in The Evening Star. AS the city
advanced in municipal matters and adopt
ed modern ideas and adapted modern
methods so The Evening Star met and fos-
tered the new and the progressive in its
own behalf, and it is consequently but nat
ural that the best of American cities and
the best of American newspapers should
be SO indissolubly linked together.
The most sanguine prophet could not have
foretold in 1852 the phenomenal future so
full of accomplishment and success which
spread before the modest little newcomer
into public consideration. 1t was not long,
however before the wisdom of the venture
was proven. The people became assured
that The Evening Star was published in
their interests and showed their apprecia-
ton by giving it their patronage. Accord
ingly 1t was but a short time when it be-
came the popular paper of Washington.
and acquired patronage that gave 1t
recognition as having the largest local cir
culation in comparison to population OF
any newspaper in the country, a character
istic it still retains. The Evening Star was
started by Joseph B. Tate, who was the
popular commander of the Washington
Light Infantry. and its first number con-
siSting of four small pages. was issued
Saturday afternoon, December T. 1852 In
its salutatory occurred the following:
Let it not be said hereafter as It has
been too often remarked heretofore, that
there is not enough public spirit at the ma
tional metropolis, among a population of
upward of 10000. to maintain neutral daily
paper"
Early Advertisers.
The new Star building will rise by the
side Of the establishment of one of its or
iginal advertising patrons and a few steps
away from that of another. Mr. William
Gait has retired from active business, but
his brothers sons continue in the same
NJ. w. Gait & Bro. had an announcement in
the first Evening Star. and so did Mr.
George w. Cochran, then, as now. the to-
bacconist. The first issue went forth from
the corner of S'h and d streets the great
he in
national politics. being a block distant. at
1th and d streets, looking down pit!fully
on the impudent little newcomer into such
an important field. May l. 1853, the Office
was removed to the second story of build
ing on d street between 18th and 18th
streets. afterward occupied by the Frank
lin Engine Company. The lower story was
a carriage repair and blacksmith shop. Two