THE ABOLITIONIST PRESS (1847-1865)
[Sidenote: DOUGLASS FOUNDS NORTH STAR]
With the founding of the _North Star_, at Rochester. N. Y., November
1, 1847, a new era in Negro Journalism was begun. The new paper was
conducted on a much higher plane than any of the preceding publications.
The editor of the _North Star_ was Frederick Douglass, a man who stood
head and shoulders above his colleagues. In fact, Douglass is in Negro
Journalism what Bennett, or Pulitzer, or Greeley, or Dana is in American
Journalism. The personal fame of the man gave his paper at once a place
among the first journals of the country.
The columns of the _North Star_ were filled with contributions from
correspondents in Europe and the West Indies, as well as from all parts
of the United States. It was the first Negro newspaper to have any
considerable circulation among the American people outside of its own
race group.
[Sidenote: LIFE OF FRED DOUGLASS]
The life of the founder of this paper is a most interesting one. Born
a slave at Tuckahoe, Md., February, 1817, he escaped from his master
in 1833, going first to New York City, and then to New Bedford, Mass.
In 1841, he was sent out as a lecturer under the auspices of the
Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society. He was one of the most prominent
anti-slavery agitators of his day; a series of lectures on the immorality
of human slavery was given by him in England. Douglass’ power as a writer
was great, and his ready and vigorous use of the English language was
always effective. The paper was discontinued shortly after the abolition
of slavery.
[Sidenote: THE IMPARTIAL CITIZEN]
Around the brilliancy of the _North Star_ moved several satellites, which
somewhat reflected the light of the major planet. Among these was _The
Impartial Citizen_, published at Syracuse, N. Y., in 1848, by Samuel
Ward. It is said that the paper was conducted on a high plane and was
ably edited.
[Sidenote: COLORED MAN’S JOURNAL RUNS TEN YEARS]
The suspension of _The Ram’s Horn_ in 1848 left the Negroes of New York
City without a newspaper. However, in 1851, Louis H. Putman began the
publication of _The Colored Man’s Journal_. It was backed by a friend who
financially supported it, and as a result the paper was able to run for
a period of ten years—a record unequalled during the period before the
Emancipation by any paper with the exception of the _North Star_.
[Sidenote: ALIENATED AMERICAN]
_The Alienated American_, edited by W. H. Day, was the first Negro
newspaper published in Ohio. It entered upon its career in Cleveland,
Ohio, in 1852, five years after its editor was graduated from Oberlin
College. _The Alienated American_ was one of the best journals published
by Negroes in the nineteenth century.
Day was a prolific, scholarly writer. His publication was a creditable
one and realized a good support. The paper ceased publication in 1856,
when its editor made a trip to England.
[Sidenote: A. M. E. CHURCH BUYS THE MYSTERY]
In 1848, the African Methodist Episcopal Church purchased _The Mystery_
of Pittsburgh, Pa., of which Martin Delaney was editor. During the
four years of its existence in Pittsburgh, the paper was known as the
_Christian Herald_. In 1852, the paper was moved to Philadelphia, and its
name was changed to _Christian Recorder_. Rev, M. M. Clarke became its
first editor.
[Sidenote: CHRISTIAN RECORDER OLDEST NEGRO NEWSPAPER]
The beginning of the _Christian Recorder_ in 1852, marks the founding of
the oldest Negro newspaper in existence today. It is also significant in
that it marks the first serious attempt in Negro Journalism to establish
a religious newspaper. The early years of the paper were beset with many
difficulties, and oftimes the paper was not issued regularly. Not until
Elisha Weaver became editor in 1861 did it appear weekly. The size of the
paper has increased from 5 columns, 4 pages, 12 by 16 inches, in 1848, to
its present size, 4 columns, 16 pages, 10 by 16 inches.
The present circulation of the paper is about 5,000. Its editor is R.
R. Wright Jr., who received the degree of Ph.D. from the University of
Pennsylvania in 1911.
[Sidenote: NEGRO JOURNALISM ON PACIFIC COAST]
The year 1855 saw Negro Journalism starting on the Pacific coast. Within
a space of less than thirty years Negro Journalism had made its way
from the Atlantic to the Pacific seaboard. The first publication was
established at San Francisco under the name of _The Mirror of the Times_.
Its editor was Judge Gibbs. It was published for seven years, and in 1862
was merged into _The Pacific Appeal_.
[Sidenote: THE HERALD OF FREEDOM]
Another contemporary of the _North Star_ was _The Herald of Freedom_,
published in 1855, in Ohio, by Peter H. Clark. It was short-lived but
during its existence it was one of the best advocates of Abolition.
Its editor was a man of good common sense and vast knowledge. After the
suspension of his paper, Clark was associated with Douglass on the _North
Star_.
[Sidenote: THE ANGLO-AFRICAN]
Thomas Hamilton, the publisher of the short-lived _People’s Press_, again
attempted a publication in New York City. On July 23, 1859, he began
publishing _The Anglo-African_. The paper was well printed and in the
opinion of Frederick Douglass “had more promise and more journalistic
ability about it, than any of the other papers.” The motto of the papers
of the period was highly indicative of their editorial outlook and
policy. Practically every paper had its motto, and _The Anglo-African_
was no exception. Its motto was: “Man must be free; if not through law,
then above the law.”
[Sidenote: ADVOCATES HAYTIAN EMIGRATION]
In 1860, the paper was bought by James Redpath—the object of his purchase
being to advocate the Haytian Emigration Movement. With the change in
ownership the paper was known as _The Weekly Anglo-African_. Later, in
1861, the paper reverted to the Hamilton family, being published by
Robert Hamilton. The original name of the paper was resumed, and under
its new publisher became an ardent supporter of the Republican party.
With the freeing of the slaves, _The Anglo-African_ began to advocate the
need of educational facilities for the freedman, especially in the South.
The paper was suspended shortly after Emancipation.
[Sidenote: COLORED CITIZEN ORGAN OF NEGRO SOLDIERS DURING WAR]
During the period of the Civil War only two Negro newspapers were
established, one of which was _The Colored Citizen_, published at
Cincinnati, Ohio, by John P. Sampson. It was issued in the interest of
the Negro soldiers fighting in the war. It was commonly referred to as
the “Soldiers’ Organ,” and was widely disseminated among the soldiers.
Sampson was well educated—being a product of the Boston public school
system—and as an editor he was both able and enterprising. _The Colored
Citizen_ was suspended the latter part of 1865.
[Sidenote: THE PACIFIC APPEAL]
In 1862, _The Pacific Appeal_ came into being in San Francisco, but it
was not a new publication, however, it was merely the successor to _The
Mirror of the Times_. Its editor was William H. Carter. It became the
index of the activities of the Negroes on the Pacific coast. The paper’s
motto was: “He who would be free, himself must strike the blow.” It was
a six column folio, well-printed, and contained editorials which on the
whole were sober and sound.
[Sidenote: THE ELEVATOR, EDITED BY BELL]
The second paper established on the western coast was _The Elevator_,
which was begun by Phillip Bell, April 18, 1865, in San Francisco,
Cal. The paper stated its mission thus: “We shall labor for the civil
and political enfranchisement of the Colored people—not as a distinct
and separate race, but as American citizens.” The publisher encouraged
advertisements and quoted his rates as being 60 cents for one insertion
and 25 cents for each subsequent insertion.
[Sidenote: BELL A MAN OF LEARNING]
Bell had been connected with the journalistic field for twenty-five
years, and as a result was experienced in the work. His editorials
were of a high quality. His paper was neatly printed and contained
contributions relating to science, art, literature and drama. In fact, it
is said that Bell himself was well-versed in belles-lettres and dramatic
criticism. By many of his contemporaries he was considered the Napoleon
of the Negro press. Although he died in 1889, his paper continued for
many years thereafter.