The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1909-01-07
Republican Journal Publishing Co.
VOLUME 81.

are lew newspapers Ill MAINE LldL nave
lived longer, and The Journal has seen
the rise and fall in its own field of nearly
a score of would be contemporaries. That
twenty years hence it will observe its
centennial we have every reason to be-
lieve. Then some other hand must re-
view the fifty years that will have clap
sed since the issue of February 6, 1879,
in which William H. Simpson had col
umn and half, written in his usual COM
prehensive and forceful style, on '"The
Journals Semi Centennial 1t is no
ticeable that neither then, nor later,
were there any loud-sounding promises
as to what The Journal would do; no
begging appeals for patronage; no
threats or expressions of i'll will if pat
always stood upon its merits as news
paper and as legitimate business enter
prise. Aside from any aid it may have
rendered in promoting the material and
moral welfare of the commu-ity objects
it has always held in view-it may fairly
claim to be local institution. Its stock
holders are home people, its employees
are home people, and the money it re-
ceives for subscriptions and advertising
goes directly into local circulation. AS
The Journal has been so it will continue
to be-the friend of every worthy indi-
vidual and enterprise, the advocate of
law and order, and the foe of everything
that threatens the pockets and the NOR
ais of the community
In his semi centennial review Mr.. Simp-
son noted something in the way of re-
trospection, and of contrast between the
old time and the new" Of the early
issues of the paper he said: "Among the
friends and supporters of The Journal,
and contributors, were men of ability
and fine literary taste. The pen of ex-
Governor Hugh j. Anderson frequently
prepared articles. Hiram o. Alden,
Esq, was a regular contributor, and from
1929 to 1880 was the recognized editor.
Hon. Alfred Johnson, gentlemen of
extensive reading and great learning,
was frequent visitor to the office, and
always ready with suggestions and aid.
In like relations We're Nathaniel M. Low
ney and William H. Burrill, Esqs. Y.
McClintock, as Jealous and interchangeable
then as now Q879) was always ready
with his counsel and services. At later
date, by few years, John W. Frost, a
student with Judge johnson, edited The
Journal. He afterwards became con-
ductor Of the New Orleans Crescent and
was killed in duel growing out of politi-
cal differences. Of The journal in later
years Mr.. Simpson says that in turning
over its pages ''There will be found the
editorials of the scholarly and genial
Griffin; the versatile pen of Moore, made
still more attractive by his brilliant wit;
the able essays of Charles c. HazewelI;
the strong and trenchant political wri-
tings of Judge Dickerson; the charming
series IN which Ex-Governor Crosby took
up and followed out the threads of the
Annals Of Belfast; the historical con-
tributions of Hon. Joseph Williamson,
now recognized as the most painstaking
and reliable of local historians; and the
many other contributors and correspond
ents who have made its columns attrac-
tive
That The Journal fully maintained its
reputation during the twenty-five years
of Mr.. Simpsons editorship will be read
lily admitted by many who are living to-
day. Indeed, it may be said that under
his management it attained mechanical
excellence second to none and reputa-
ton for ability and enterprise that ex-
tended far beyond the State. He was
master of the topographic art and of
literary expression and was never known
He had, as had his predecessors in the
editorial chair, able contributors, among
whom may be mentioned ''Our George"
Mrs. j. w. Frederick, Percy" whose
entertaining letters from Boston and
from Washington, D. c., were long an
attractive feature of The Journal, and
Mrs. Sarah F. Meader, who contributed
many Local Lyrics. Later he had as as
sociate editor w. H. Wiggin, a young
man of much ability, who afterwards
filled editorial positions on the Bangor
Commercial and Boston Post and whose
early death ended what promised to be a
brilliant career
In the years following Mr.. Simpsons
management The journal has been equal
ly fortunate in it's contributors and cor
respondents. Edward O. Thorndike, while
studying music in London, contributed
series of letters from that city second to
none appearing in metropolitan journals.
Charles w. Frederick wrote a number of
entertaining letters on mis- trip abroad,
and later member of The Journals
staff related the experience of a Belfast
party in England and Scotland and on the
Atlantic. Mrs. Fannie B. Wards travels
in Central and South America and the
West Indies were long delight to our
readers. Contributions on local history