University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1911-06-05

tCivil War, were strenuous ones. Th'
Journalism of the period became
lighting journalism. Newspapers be
came personal organs. The editor:
had to stand back of what they wrote
1t developed the fighting editor, wht
leach day went to his office as an opel
tournament. The pen was his spear
ink his blood. An editor knew not al
what time he would write a newspaper
attack on a political opponent too Sc
we're. Then he might well expect re
|ply-nOt with pen and ink-but with
a pistol.
In this sort of a period Prentice
launched the Louisville Journal. He
was almost first into the field. He was
ten years before Horace Greeley with
the New York Tribune and almost
twenty years before Henry Raymond
with his New York Times. Prentice
has often been called one OF the first
great personal editors OF the Missis.
sippi Valley.
Prentice enjoyed controversy A po,
litical opponent worthy of his steel
was his greatest delight. He carried
his attack and defense to every part
of the United States. He challenged
all comers All he desired was formi-
dable opponent. Through this style of
writing he became known even in
France and England as poignant and
epigrammatic writer. one VINO could
give force and strength to every print
ed word.
He also won reputation as witty
and humorous writer. His sayings in
the Journal were reprinted in almost
every newspaper OF the Union. His
jokes were infectious. They entered
thousands OF homes and took" null
ititudes at breakfast. They became the
lpleasantries OF the hour on the street
and in the homes OF the nations.
However. the life of the Yankee
SchoOlmaster, as Prentice was known
in Kentucky, was not always filled
with wit, poetry, and political writings.
Often Prentice encountered prejudice
and had to prove his personal cour-
age. But, as Watterson says: Prem
tice was always the darling o. ina
mob"
One instance of this may be shown
When Prentice went TO Kentucky. he
learned the use OF the pistol III lime
be became the best shot in thlt state.
One time he was fired at and wounded
on the streets OF Louisville. Prentice
ran TO his assailant and grabbed him
by the throat. A mob gathered They
begged Prentice TO stab the man but
Prentice refused. saving. Il cannot
kill disarmed man."
Prentice's influence through the
and Ohio valleys was i'm |
mense and gave him many chances 10
deal out political plums. These he dis |
trlbuted in the form Of political Offices |
10 hundreds OF men. This power |
reached its highest point in the Harri-
son hard-cider and log-cabih campaign
or president in 1910. Prentice SUP
ported Harrison and it is said that |
he Louisville Journal was an impor-
ant factor in determining his election.
t is true that Kentucky gave Harri-
'oE the largest state vote for presi-
lent
In the campaign. an editor favoring
Jackson, asked, Pray in what respect
S hard cider an emblem of General
iarrisOn?' To which Prentice re-
pOnded. "All we know is that it runs
rell."
The period previous to the Civil
Var was trying time TO individuals
s well as 20 the nation. When the
'ar began strong. as well as weak
zen wavered and We're undecided
hat side to join. Prentice wavered
hen began the decline OF his national
litucncc. Prentice was opposed to re-
ellion but he did not oppose it with
est
His two sons enlisted in the Con
'derate army and his wife was OF
outhern rarentage. but still Prentice
undecided. The Journal was
lclined toward the side of the Union.
One of his sons was killed at Au-
lsta, KY, and the father heard that
is other son had been captured by
lie Union army and that a court mar
al had been ordered Prentice tele-
'aphed the President OF the United
ates and then wen; TO Washington.
e hurried to the Presidents office
I'd was smilingly received by Hon
I Abe" who said. Did you think I
ould let them kill your boy? Sill
wn. Prentice and tell me a good
ory." An order had been despatched
NE time before to the soldiers order