The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-04-13
rHF T11iFS; RIcHMoND,YA. sUNDA & APH1Il 1907.

far on int the new century. 1na saeot-s
ing th agents for fighting his Hepublt-}
can battles J efferson was In large measure
responsible for Inc tactics winch 30 EN-
Uttered early Journalism and obscured
great issues by tho SUBSTITUTE on of per-.
sonaa sinvcctives and alumnious cha. ges.
With the foregoing facts and the en-
vironing conditions one can interpret in
some measure JeefrHol-s sympathy
toward the press In his later years In
71by? his views were forcibly expressed in
letter to a young KentucN1an, John.
Norvell, who approached him for advice
in the selection of profession. Norveli.
Indicated preference tor journalism and
requested suggestion for the mana gem ent
of newspaper. Speaking frankly, JEFF
fersoD said that a snewspaperS shouldSbe
conducted by limiting it to re true fa cts
and sound principles only yet he feared
that such a policy would 3destr oys 1t In the
budding. 2 e4spress, he declared, was
little more than a tissue OF faisehoods,.
but it met a vitiated popular ste and
demand. Truth itself became suspicious
by being put into that polluted vehicle
The Letter IS a*remarka BILE production, and
Tor many years put to a supreme test
the wits Of editors in seeking TO find
some explanation for its wholesale de-
nunciation Of their craft
In his last years Jefferson read but one
for forty-one years by Thomas ,Ritchie.
Unquestionably, Ritchies was the ablest
exponent OF Jenersons principles; his
paper was the foremost Democratic press
and the most influential representative
Of the Virginia school Of politics that
advocated state sovereignty and opposed
Federal encroachmerts upon the Constitu-
uon. On the occasion of a visit to the
Sage Of Monticello, George Ticknor, in
one of his delightful letters, describes
Jefferson as little interested in politics
and reading but a single newspaper,
Ritchie's Enquirer, aud that reluctantly.
The last part of Ticknors statement
hardly agrees with q letter written, in
1875, by Jeersffon to Philadelphia friend.
IN which he says: Il read but a single
newspaper. Ritchie's Enquirer, the best
that is published or has been published
in America In after years James Wat
son Webb editor of the famous old New
York Courier and Enquirer, deserted the
cause OF Jackson and tho bank. Richie
poured hot shot into him as pink OF
consistency" and ''llireling of the United
States Bank" In reply Webb produced
letter ostensibly containing the state
ment that Richie had been charged by
Jefferson as "changeling'' and IAN apos-
tate These were frequent charges in
those days of fierce personal journalism
when extracts were CARRIED and their
I
press of the United States famed with
repettions Of the downfall Of Richie in
Jefferson's good opinion, and declared him
disgraced in the councils of his own party
Not one whit Disconnected, Richie pro-
ceeded to prove conclusively the worth
lcssness Of the charge by showing that
the meaning of the words attributed to
his great leader had been wrested from
their true meaning. Furthermore. he pro
duced numerous letters and overwhclm-
ing evidence testifying to the esteem and
confidence in which ne was held by JEFF
ferson al through his life. The tables
were then turned, and the papers which
had published his humiliation were COM
relied to make the amende honorable.
,r,!e journalism Of this day presents d
great change and contrast The organ
to advocate personal claims has ceased
and the harsh epithets and baselcss &C
cusations then applied to men in public
life are no longer tolerated. In the use
tf the pioneer press no public man availed
himself of it moro continuously and effec-
lively that Thomas Jefferson.