USA > South Carolina > Charleston County > Charleston > The newspaper press of Charleston, S.C.; a chronological and biographical history, embracing a period of one hundred and forty years > Part 13
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The first " City Editor" of the Daily News, was the pop- ular paragraphist and humorist, JAMES H. SIMMONS. His ready pen, which has given much aid to this journal, was first recognized in the columns of The South Carolinian,
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when it was resumed in Charleston, in January, 1866. The Carolinian having suspended in the summer of that year, Mr. SIMMONS accepted the "Local" chair of the News, then conducted by Messrs. CATHCART, MCMILLAN & MOR- TON. He was indefatigable in the discharge of his du- ties, and known for the "lightness of his brow," and the dawning smile of pleasantry in his countenance, uniting humor with seriousness, and, seemingly, caring for nothing so much as a mirth-moving jest. He was succeeded in this department of the office by F. D. LEE, who was called from the office of the Savannah News, in June, 1869. Mr. LEE-after his association with the paper which lasted un- til October, 1870-quitted the " Local" chair for another field of usefulness, in the City of Augusta, Georgia.
The South Carolina Leader was the production of TIM- OTHY HURLEY. T. HURLEY & Co. were, after the first few numbers, announced as the publishers, and ALLEN COFFIN was recognized as the editor. The first number of this weekly appeared Saturday, October 7, 1865, from their office, 430 King Street. In the salutatory article of the paper its patrons were informed that it would be devoted to the interests of " Free Labor and General Reform." Its motto was from ST. MARK, 4th chapter, 28th verse : " First the blade, then the ear, after that, the full corn in the ear." Before the (y)ear filled, the dream of Mr. HURLEY had flitted away. The Leader became mutable in its proprie- torship, until the spring of 1867, when it became the prop- erty of a stock company, at the head of which was the Reverend R. H. CAIN, with A. J. RANSIER as the editor. Its title was changed April 7, 1868, to The Missionary Record. R. H. CAIN, who is now the publisher and edi- tor, is a colored preacher of the Gospel; he has, measura- bly, modified the ultra proclivities of the paper. R. H. CAIN is a native of Greenbrier County, Virginia, and came
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to Charleston from New York City, in April, 1865. The Record is still published and edited by him, at the office in Morris Street.
The South Carolina Republican was also a weekly news- paper. It was founded October 10, 1868, and after two other weeklies, The Free Press, and The Charleston Advo- cate had each run a very brief career. The suspension of these two latter papers, left no " blank in nature."
The founders of the Republican were J. M. MORRIS and MYRON Fox. Mr. MORRIS graduated at " Yale" with the highest valedictory honors, and before he reached the age of 33, was prominent in political organizations, between the years 1865 and '68. He became the boldest champion of Republican principles in South Carolina. Mr. Fox has given evidences of fine intellectual endowment, and his scholar-like editorials in defence of the principles of his paper, were calculated to sustain the dignity and worth of the Charleston press.
The first place of publication of the Republican was at the printing office of Messrs. DENNY & PERRY. Subse- quently, it was removed to the North-East corner of Meet- ing and Calhoun Streets ; thence to its present site, where, on the 19th August, 1869, their daily first appeared. Both the weekly and the daily-the latter now enjoying a mo- nopoly of afternoon intelligence-were established in the interest of the Republican Party, by the individuals nam- ed, and during the periods above mentioned. It is now issued from the building South-West corner of Market and Meeting Streets. The assistant editors are R. H. WIL- LOUGHBY and E. G. HOFFMAN. In Mr. CHARLES SAMMIS, the business manager, there are combined candor, and sound common sense, qualities conducive to the success of a daily newspaper.
The organ of the German population, is The Suedlicher
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Correspondent. It was established by C. G. ERCKMAN, in January, 1869. Its place of publication is on North side of Broad Street, two doors West of Church Street. It is the third of the German organs, strictly national in repre- sentation, known in the City. The first, The Teutone, was started by JOHN A. WAGNER, in 1844. It was then print- ed South side of Broad Street, West of the Guard House. The Teutone became by purchase, the property of F. MEL- CHERS, in October, 1853. The latter proprietor changed its title to The Zeitung, at that time. From that period until the State called her sons to arms in 1861, Mr. MEL- CHERS conducted this Teutonic semi-weekly, not only ably, but quite successfully. In January, 1871, The Zeitung was revived by F. MELCHERS & SON. General JOHN A. WAGNER, and Captain F. MELCHERS have largely con- tributed to the editorial columns of The Teutone, The Suedlicher Correspondent, and The Deutsche Zeitung, three newspapers which have deservedly received the approba- tion and support of our thriving German population.
The Referee, weekly-E. DURBEC, proprietor, was estab- lished June 12, 1869. It is printed at the office of the paper, 235 King Street, and distributed gratis, the pub- lisher depending solely upon the advertising patronage of a paper, which is in size, only 23 by 32.
The Southern Celt, an Irish-American hebdomadal, was established in January, 1870; L. C. NORTHROP was the first editor and proprietor. The Celt was formerly The Gazette, a Catholic organ, which was established by Messrs. CAULFIELD & FORD, in January, 1866. That firm sold to Bishop LYNCH, who purchased it for J. D. BUDDS ; Father J. D. QUIGLEY was the editor, and the printer was that experienced member of the craft, CONN O'NEALE. The Celt is now published by JAMES BRENNAN, and is issued
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weekly from the printing establishment of The Daily Re- publican.
The Sunday Times is another weekly, as its title denotes. This paper, which is published in Hayne Street by J. W. DELANO, made its bow for public patronage on the morn- ing of Sunday, 20th March, 1870.
The last newspaper, and one which has just taken its place on the list of hebdomadal publications of Charleston, is that called The Working Christian. It was established in the interest of the Baptist denomination, at Yorkville, South Carolina, by Reverend TILMAN R. GAINES. In May, 1870, it was removed to this City. The Working Christian is issued from 68 Hasel Street.
To allude further to our contemporary press, would be invidious and uncalled for. The living journals of the day speak for themselves, through the work and bearing of those who control them. But beginning, as it were, a new epoch, emerging from ruins under the most embarrass- ing influences of political and pecuniary affairs, it will be well to refer the craft, to the examples we have given of their predecessors.
CHAPTER XIX.
THE amount of material of an historical nature that ac- cumulates gradually on the files of a daily journal, is astounding, and would scarcely be realized by any but persons whose habitudes and necessities of research have led them frequently to explore such sources. Appreciating this fact to more than an ordinary extent, we are struck with the reality that the press which chronicles all things, often over-looks its own exploits and triumphs.
While upon this topic, we would suggest that our Caro- lina press might in more respects become auto-biographi- cal, and relate its own experience. In other words, might not important and interesting additions be made to our State history, if each County journal now extant, would furnish a full and authentic narrative of its establishment and location of the press in its section ? Landmarks might thus be established, so that hence the retrospective observ- er of the progress of the State, as well as its journalistic efforts would not meet with difficulties akin to those that have beset one who has endeavored to ascertain how mat- ters stood one hundred and forty years ago.
There was one feature, beautiful indeed, in the life of journalism in our halcyon days, which should be revived. It was the fraternal spirit in which our predecessors lived and met together ; their frequent re-unions; their chival- rous deportment; the amenity and courteousness with which they wrote, precluded provocation, to the most sen-
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sitive nature. They sustained, as has been said, a perfect organization among themselves, which, socially, was rarely ruptured. They took no undue advantage of each other, reciprocated all courtesies, and were, especially, above the fault of competing with each other's prices, for the sake of temporary gain, to the common loss of all, and to the dis- paragement of the profession. Courtesy is one of the ex- acting conditions in the life of a profession like that of journalism, which may be said to " live, move, and have its being," in armor.
The tone and temper of the Charleston press, in that era of good feeling, has been very correctly depicted by a wri- ter who has signed himself " S. G." That writer we take to be the late talented and courteous Divine, SAMUEL GIL- MAN, D.D., in whose language dissimulation found no rest- ing place. "S. G." thus marked the course of the press in a letter written from Charleston, in the summer of 1842 :
"In my early impressions" wrote "S. G.," " nothing struck me more pleasantly, than the air of high-bred courte- sy which characterized the intercourse of the public journals with each other ; and though I have been a daily reader of the Courier, Mercury and Patriot, I have never read in their papers a gross allusion, or an indelicate remark ; nor, though I perceive they are diametrically antagonistic in political sentiment, has one indulged towards the other in bitter invective, or violent animosity. I can attribute this to no cause but the refinement which is, certainly, pe- culiar to Charleston."
Frequent intercourse, and interchange of sentiment are, doubtless, advantageous to the mutual interests of the press. There can be no reason why the example set by our predecessors should not be observed by the proprietors and editors of newspapers, not only those of the City, but
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by the press of the State, at large ; for it has a high mission to perform, and responsible duties to discharge.
Editors occasionally show themselves careless of that courtesy which is due to contributors, who deserve, and should receive respect, even if their desires are not strictly complied with ; to the public, to whom the deportment of an editor should ever be the model of propriety, politeness, and the most graceful social observances. Time and again have we seen in days past, individuals who demanded to be heard through the columns of one of the papers, depart from the sanctum of the editor, fully convinced that the responsive monosyllable no ! so affably given, covered a comprehensive reasoning, which they did not at first per- ceive. This is a style of courtesy which should be first in the vocabulary of journalism, and is known only to the true editor. This lesson is important, when it is considered that in working out the duties of journalism, the business is of such a nature as perpetually to demand the exercise of a gentlemanly and Christian amenity.
It is admitted that there is no vocation which may more easily be perverted to the indulgence of spite, malice, dis- like, and a rivally which too frequently ends in prejudices never to be subdued. These evils are due to many causes, the greatest of them being a diseased eagerness for gain. When the competition is great, and the profit meagre, this, as is well known, is one of the fruitful causes which bring into life the evil demon of egotism and self-seeking. The danger is that this demon will acquire strength daily, espe- cially, it is to be feared, among the diurnal press, South of that geographical and political boundary line which was first made memorable to all America, by CHARLES MASON and JEREMIAH DIXON, one hundred and seven years ago. And yet, if the true and faithful editors of the South would pause and reflect, they would discover that it is just now of
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more importance to them than all else beside, that they should work, with one common will, to instruct mankind ; to spread correct information ; to promote the cause of virtue ; to support the dignity of law-now, more than ever, needed; to meliorate the heart, thereby elevating the mind. Let them link hands, and say one to another, I know but the South-the South emerging from her ruins !
It is manifestly proper, that we should here draw the attention of the craft to an endowment not a great while ago perfected, having for its object the training of young men to the business-we should properly say, craft of jour- nalism.
While acknowledging the generous and liberal temper which prompted such an endowment, the author must be allowed to remark that a long acquaintance with journal- ism in general leads him to question, very seriously, the uses of any specialty of training. Indeed we find it diffi- cult to conceive, through what peculiar course of tuition one could proceed to arrive at the knowledge of a profes- sion, which, almost beyond all others, demands, not only a specialty of gift in the individual, and singularly various knowledge, but likewise, a long experience with the nature, the wants and the wishes of society. There are, also, great and conflicting principles and doctrines, involving a con- flict, not only of years, but of ages. It does seem to us, all that can be done, to prepare a youth at college, for the business of journalism, is what the college now proposes to do, in the work of a classical education. In this, the youth is prepared generally for all the professions, and no college training can possibly do more. It certainly cannot go into the thousand details which enter into the business of the journalist. It surely cannot endow the individual with those gifts of intellect which are special, and should belong to the journalist. Nor can such an education accomplish
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more than perfect him in the languages, in the sciences, and in general literature. The school for the journalist- assuming that he has acquired all that the college usually imparts, and that he possesses the necessary gifts from na- ture-is the great world-school of humanity. Professors might lecture on journalism, as it is practically known to the craft, day succeeding day, and yet these censors of wis- dom would not impart any journalistic lesson to the stu- dent. The embryo journalist would still have to go through a regular apprenticeship to the craft, and acquire the essential knowledge by hard practice. These lessons, experience has taught us, are to be found in the thorough- fares-in the strife of parties-at public meetings, and un- der the glare of midnight gas.
The editorial management of the various issues of the press, calls for the exercise in a wide field of talents and acquirements. They come forth, for instance, in the state- ly quarterly, the less voluminous and dignified monthly, the lively weekly, and the rapid and dashing daily, which is required to photograph the hurrying hour, catching its changing views ere they fly. He whose capabilities have placed him in the front-rank of journalists, is fully competent to teach seven-tenths of all the college professors in the United States. Scholarships are good indeed, when applied to general education ; but the art, craft, and mys- teries of journalism cannot be taught, within the confines of a college.
We will here state, that we have prepared very elaborate notes in regard to the press, both of the City and State ; likewise, matters appertaining to journalism in general, with the view of giving them to the public at some future day.
Journalism, the press, editorship, the craft in general,
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are fruitful topics. They must, however, be discussed here with brevity.
Knowing the objects of the craft, and the probabilities within their aim, we find that there are many who may as- cend the editorial fauteuil. Of the dignity and authority of that chair, we have already spoken.
Some will attain the highly responsible position of business manager of the press ; others again, will rise to stations of equally great re- sponsibility, implying large capabilities ; as, for instance, the foremanship, and thus the efforts of the entire craft are be- - ing strained according to the personal ambition of its re- spective members, to win the proud position of a public journalist. But to obtain success, what is most required ? We answer diligence, industry, propriety of conduct, so- briety of habits, and assiduous study. If these conditions are complied with, success is assured to all.
"Stet liber hic donec fluctus formica marinos Ebibat ; et totum testudo perambulet orbem."
THE END.
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