The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1908-02-20
Che Growth Of Journalistic.

WAS more than a century and
half after the discovery of printing
u from metal type that the first
newspaper was published, this
was Die Frankfurter Journal which
first appeared in Germany, in 1915.
Previous to this time news letters were
circulated in Rome, Venice aud other
parts Of Europe; these were in manu-
script and of necessity very limited in
circulation. OF course China is ex-
cluded from the above statement, as in
this connection, 1as in every other art,
it is claimed that news letters printed i
from moEeabie types were circulated
ia China many centuries before the
time of Gutenberg Awho is generally
credited with the invention of print |
aug. 1t was left for the United States,
however, to develop the newspaper to
q gIeater extent than any other country.
The studyiof journalism in the United
States involves u study .:of the progress
of the uatiOu, its industrial and pOliti-
cal expansion. The first paper pub
lished in this country was called "Pub-
lick Occurrences" and did mot survive
after the first issue as certain grave
reflections" cast OH the provincial gov
erument, caused the authorities to
suppress it. Thus we see at the very
beginning the freedom:of the press re-
ceived hard blow. Shortly after
ward the "News Letter" appeared;
this paper was started in 17O4 aud was
the only paper published in the United
States for many years. Its first COM
.petitor appeared iifteon years later.
Commenting Oh the new arrival the
.sNews Letter" said editorsally: I'VE
pity the readers of the new paper; its
sheets smell stronger OF beer than Of
mfduight oil" This kindly welcome
swas no Doubt replied t0in!t the same
vein. This first exchange of ''cJurte-
sies' between rival editors established
.aprecedent which has been closely .ad-
hered to by succeeding journalists.
This warfare between editors is tradi-
eionai, but is seldom of Q personal ma
.ture. K;ndly.xcts during times Of mis-
fortune, similar to those rendered the
owners of the Louisville COurier-J our
ual by rival publishers, at the time
their building was destroyed by fire,
show that newspaper men can to more
Kind to their best hated rival when Oc-
,casion demands.
The publisher of the early days had
much to contend with, the experience
of the ili-fated "Publick Occurrences
was repeated IN the histOry'Of most of
the pioneer newspapers. The slightest
reflection OH the acts of tho govern
.ment was sufficient to cause the sup.
preston Of q paper as we'll rs the i'm
prisOnment Uf the editor. John Frank
lin, the uncle Of Benjamin Franklin
was only one Of y large number o: edi
tors who were sent to Jail OH account
OF published reflections on the govern
ment.
In 1873 the first paper was started II
New York, its editor was shortly after
ward arrested for libel OH the govern
-ment and spent nine months in jai
awaiting trial.. 1t was the first tria
for criminal libel on this cantinent
The court ruled that it would not ad
NIT evidence offered to prove the truti
OF the libel, go nothing was ieIt the de
fense but all appeal to the jury, thi
was made ina masterfnl address b.
Andrew Hamilton who secured tn
defendants acquittal. This was
great step toward that freedom of tn
press which the editors of this cOuntr
have always fought for. 1t was reall
more than this, it was step tOwar
that independence from Great Britai
which was afterwards Won. 1t was a
this time that the power of the pres
commenced to be recognized and tn
patriots planning for freedom wer
not slow in taking advantage of it, an
political articles .assailing unpopuls
government measures comprised th
chief contents of the newspapers. E
Among the vigorous writer's of tbs
day were Alexander Hamilton, the
only sixtesn yesrs old; 3Benjami
Franklin, Samuel Adams, u ohm Adam
Thomas Paine, Samuel Cooper, John'