Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-12-31
ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE.

ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE.
With today's issue the one hundred
and ninth volume Of the Alexandra
Gazette olose3. AS has been said on
other occa 10 9, the Gazette began "tc
show the sge and to17 Of the times" in
the last decade of the eighteenth cent
ury, although it, in common with other
papers of that day, was not published
regularly. 1t hiss therefore appeared in
three centuries. At the beginning of the
nineenth century, however, it became a
daily desideratnm not only in house
holds 10 the city of its birth, but its Gil
cuIation spread over q large portion OF
eastern Virginia. The Gazette in a
short time became the official paper OF
most of the counties now comprising the
the Eighth Congressional district and
remained 90 until the outbreak Of the
civil war.
Born during the unsettled conditions
incident to the close Of the revolutionary
war it passed through the stirring scenes
in connection with the second war With
Great Britain for independence. Its read
era witnessed the occupation Of AleAan'
dria BY redcoats, saw the destruction OF
the Capitol at Washington aud blended
their tears with those in other parts OF
the infant republic during the prevalence
of the dismal cloud that threatened the
independence of the country
The Gazette continued to play it's part
during the anxittiss Of those days snd
1eioieed with its readers when the dove
Of peace once more returned to our shores,
and serene conditions followed. 1t
ohronicled the battles incident to the war
with Mexico, and vas one Of the fore
most journals in the country during the
excitement preceding the outbreak OF
the civil war, as it was in touch With
Washington and Richmond, aud the
most important news Of those stirring
times appeared first in the Gazatte.
While it may not be generally known,
II Is q fact nevertheless that news deal
ers 10 Richmond shortly before the
federal troops captured Alexandria pre-
ferred the Gazette to other papers, and
the presses we're kept busy in meeting
demands from that and other Virginia
cities.
The four years that followed the out
break of hostilities proved severe
ordeal for the Gazette. lis large Vir'
Renia circulation passed away literally
in day, ADD later the Office and con-
tents we're destroyed by fire started ny
federal soldiers aud who prevented the
flames from being extiDguished' The
Gazette, however, soon emerged irom
the ashes and within a few weeks was
again, in a smaller form, giving the
news mostly, however to people within
the city limits, the mail service south
having literally ceased to exist.
At the close of the warit resumed its
normal proportions and again took its
place smoug the prominent journals OF
the country,
Several generations bave contributed
to the columns Of the Gazeite. Its first
writers aud pli.ts,s were doubtless ex-
continental soldiers. One by one, az the
years have gone by, members Of the
force have laid down their lsbOrs to be
taken up by Others.
1t has been observed that it took slx'
teen hundred years to write, the Bible
and that consequently certaln' "il'eis
never saw Others who were to take up
and perfect subjects treated by the an
clients. The same may be said concern
ing the Gazette, the present attaches
having taken up The thread Of history
where Others have laid it dowr.
During the coming year, as has been
the case 10 the past, every exertion will
be made to collect all the news, both
local, general and fOreigO, and the
facilities enjoyed by the Gazette enable
It's publishers to place in a concise form |
daily before its readers sll the imPor-
taut happenings on the globe as early
AZ any papers in the country.
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PHE CT OzTNG WEAR