The History of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia Part 21

By heroic efforts there have been no debts incurred, the citizens having so far responded in every case of need; yet there is much lacking, both in furniture and appliances. Donations of every kind are urgently desired.

The physicians are most liberal in their services and attentions and their work is to their great honor, for, of the several difficult cases thus far operated upon each has been successful, and the recipient has returned home sounding the praises of the Mary Was.h.i.+ngton Hospital and its medical service. May the good work grow and prosper. Since this article was written the building has been greatly enlarged and improved, and the hospital is regarded as a permanent inst.i.tution with a n.o.ble mission.

NEWSPAPERS AND PERIODICALS.

The first newspaper established in Fredericksburg was the semi-weekly "Virginia Herald and Falmouth Advertiser," in 1786, by Timothy Green. It was soon found that the name was too long and was no advantage to the paper, and in a few months the Falmouth Advertiser part of the name was dropped and the paper was continued as the Virginia Herald. Some years after its establishment Mr. Green a.s.sociated with him in the conduct of the paper a Mr. Lacy and Mr. James D. Harrow, and the firm name was Green, Lacy & Harrow. This firm was succeeded by Wm. F. Gray, and he by James D.

Harrow, a practical printer, who conducted the paper for many years, with Jesse White, afterwards known as "the old practical printer," as foreman.

Mr. Harrow died in 1851, and the office, fixtures and good will were purchased by Major J. Harrison Kelly, who conducted the Virginia Herald successfully as a semi-weekly until the year 1875, when failing health compelled him to discontinue its publication and it has never been resumed.

A bound volume of this paper, running through the years 1796, 1797 and 1798, is now owned by this writer, who prizes it very highly. Its columns have furnished accounts of incidents, dates and gatherings of the people in public meetings, noted in this historical sketch of the town.

In the year 1795 another paper was started in Fredericksburg, known as the "Genius of Liberty and Fredericksburg and Falmouth Advertiser." This name was even larger, longer and less euphonious than the first name of its compet.i.tor, the Virginia Herald, and, like its compet.i.tor, soon dropped most of it. This paper came into existence at a time when party spirit ran high and the political blood was at fever heat. It vigorously espoused the cause of what was then known as the "Strict Constructionists" of the Federal Const.i.tution, while the "Virginia Herald" as vigorously supported the "Loose Constructionists."

The Genius of Liberty was conducted by Robert Mercer and George Carter as a weekly paper until 1798, when it was changed to a semi-weekly, at "twenty s.h.i.+llings per annum, ten s.h.i.+llings to be paid on subscribing and the remainder at the end of the year." In 1800 the paper was purchased by James Walker, who changed its name to "The Courier." Mr. Walker was both editor and proprietor, and under his management it was enlarged to "nearly double the size of the Virginia Herald." We have not been able to learn at what period its publication ceased.

A volume of this publication, from November, 1800, to November, 1801, substantially bound, is now in possession of Mrs. James L. Green, of this place. It is valuable and interesting because of its h.o.a.ry age and because of the fact it was published in Fredericksburg.

"The Fredericksburg News," a semi-weekly paper, was published by Robert Baylor Semple for several years. At his death, in 1853, the paper was purchased by A. Alexander Little, who conducted it, except during the War Between the States, to the time of his death in 1877. When its publication was resumed after the war, when old things had pa.s.sed away and many things had become new, it bore the name of "The Fredericksburg New Era," but neither the times nor the name suited the editor, so he changed the name back to the News and made the best he could of the times in which he lived.

After Mr. Little's death the publication of the News was continued for a few years by his sister, Miss Bella Little, who a.s.sisted him very much in the editorial management of the paper during his owners.h.i.+p of it, but finding it unremunerative its publication was finally suspended.

Several other publications of a less permanent nature have been started and conducted in Fredericksburg, but they were short lived and but little is known of their history, therefore they can be only mentioned as having existed.

"The Political Arena" was commenced in the year 1830 by Wm. M. Blackford and lived for about fifteen years. In 1845 Mr. Blackford moved to Lynchburg and the publication of the paper was discontinued.

In 1848 Rev. James W. Hunnicutt established the "Christian Banner," which continued to exist until 1862, when Mr. Hunnicutt, being a Union man and opposed to the Civil war, went North, and it has been stated that the Banner office was destroyed by Southern soldiers. This statement, however, is thought not to be true.

"The Virginia Baptist" made its appearance in Fredericksburg about the year 1857. It was edited and conducted by Rev. W. R. Powell, Rev. John C.

Willis and Rev. Joseph A. Billingsly as a temperance advocate. Its publication was suspended in 1860 and never resumed.

"The Democratic Recorder," established in 1842, was owned by James M.

Campbell, but in 1850 he removed to Manchester, N. H., and the office was purchased and the publication of the Recorder was continued by Robert B.

Alexander, S. Greenhow Daniel and James B. Sener, in the order named. Its publication was suspended during the Civil war, but upon the return of peace in 1865 it was resumed by James B. Sener, the name being changed to "The Fredericksburg Ledger." In 1872 Judge Sener was elected to Congress and the publication of the Ledger ceased.

The office and fixtures were sold by Judge Sener in 1873, and for twelve or fifteen years it changed hands often and several publications were started, only to cease after a struggle of a year or two. After the publication of the Ledger was discontinued the first paper sent out from the office was the "Independent," by Berry & Tierney. One year marked the life of the Independent and then came the "Bulletin," by Quinn & Tierney; "The True Standard," by a joint stock company, and "The Recorder," by the Mander Brothers. None of these publications lived more than two or three years at most.

In May, 1887, the office was purchased by Col. John W. Woltz and Wm. E.

Bradley, who established the "Free Lance," which they conducted until the death of Col. Woltz in 1893, when it was soon purchased by a joint stock company and its publication continued to the present. Under its first management the "Free Lance" was issued as a semi-weekly, but as its circulation increased it was changed to a tri-weekly, and was the first and only tri-weekly publication the town ever had. Another innovation the "Free Lance" made in the newspaper history of Fredericksburg was the introduction of a power press. Prior to this all the newspapers were printed on Hoe hand presses, but the "Free Lance," under Woltz & Bradley, boasted of a power press of a capacity of twelve hundred papers an hour, which was soon exchanged for one of sixteen hundred an hour. A third innovation made by the "Free Lance" was the purchase and use of a folding machine. This was a new machine in town and was observed by those who had never before seen one with much curiosity. It can fold papers as fast as they are printed, and is quite an improvement on the old way of hand folding.

The publication of the "Virginia Star" was commenced in the year 1869 by Rufus B. Merchant as a semi-weekly, and was so conducted until 1895.

During that year Mr. Merchant added another edition and sent out the "Daily Evening Star." This was something "new under the sun" in Fredericksburg, and its advent and probable success were freely discussed by the public and various opinions were expressed. The prevailing opinion, however, seemed to be that its publication was a mistake on the part of the proprietor and the scheme would end in financial loss. Others thought it would flourish for a short time and receive support because it was a home enterprise, but that it would eventually be crowded out by the big dailies of neighboring cities and would disappear. But such was not the case. It is yet making its daily evening visits, improves as the days go by, and has evidently come to stay.

In 1896 the Star office, with its entire outfit, was purchased by W.

Seymour White and Alvin T. Embrey, who continued to publish both editions of the paper, and upon the death of Mr. White, in the early part of the year 1898, his interest was purchased by Mr. Embrey, who became the sole editor and proprietor of the Star. In 1900 Judge Embrey sold out to a joint stock company, and under its management both editions of the paper made their regular visits to the homes of subscribers. This paper has been purchased by the Free Lance Company, which sends out both the Free Lance and Daily Star.

On the 2nd day of January, 1837, the first issue of the "Masonic Olive Branch and Literary Portfolio" was published by James D. McCabe and John M. Ball. It was a semi-monthly publication, at two dollars per annum in advance, and was devoted princ.i.p.ally to Masonry and Odd Fellows.h.i.+p. A bound volume of this publication is now in possession of Fredericksburg Masonic Lodge, and, from its typographical appearance, one would suppose it to have been printed by Jesse White, the practical printer, on his old Ramage hand press. By Mr. Ball's retirement a few months after the appearance of the paper, Mr. McCabe became the sole editor and proprietor.

We have no information as to how long the Portfolio was published.

In 1868 "The Little Gleaner," a thirty-two page periodical, was published by Miss L. Fauntleroy. It was a monthly publication, devoted to general subjects, and intended especially to interest and instruct the young folks. After two years' labor, toil and sacrifice, not meeting with the success she had hoped for, the proprietress discontinued its publication.

In the year 1900 a number of the progressive business men of the town, feeling that Fredericksburg was not moving along in public improvements as rapidly as it should, and that the City Council was too slow in pa.s.sing the necessary measures for such improvements, organized a joint stock company and commenced the publication of "The Fredericksburg Journal." The Journal, different from the other papers of the town, was at first a weekly issue, its subscription price being twenty-five cents per annum. It has informed the public in strong language that it has come to stay and progress is its watch word. In a short time it was sold to Mr. R. L.

Biscoe, when he in turn sold it to the Fredericksburg Journal Company, who put more life and vim into it, and now its customers are served with both a semi-weekly and daily, which give the general news from the surrounding country and stand for improvement of the town, honesty in city affairs, and justice to all with special favors to none.

POLITICAL DIVISIONS.

Elsewhere we have referred to party divisions in Fredericksburg about the close of the eighteenth century. This division showed itself, prior to the Revolutionary war, because many of the people of the town were strongly opposed to separation from the mother country, deeming the grievances complained of insufficient for such a radical movement. But even the war and its result did not allay the bitter feeling. It was still kept up after peace was declared on all public questions, and became more intense, even to boiling over at times. This ebullition arose with the question of the adoption or rejection of the Const.i.tution of the United States, and after its adoption it continued with increasing intensity over the construction of that instrument and the authority it conferred upon the President. New fuel was added to the flame when Congress pa.s.sed the act known as the Alien and Sedition law, which conferred extraordinary power on the President in times of peace.

These questions were the theme of spirited, and even angry, discussions at all gatherings of the people on court greens, market places and elsewhere, but the climax of feeling was reached when the foreign policy of President John Adams was developed, especially with reference to our att.i.tude towards France. Mr. Monroe, a citizen of this town, who for some time had been our foreign minister to France, had been recalled by Mr. Adams and another more in accord with the administration was sent in his stead, and it appeared that war with our former friend and ally could not be averted.

Many of the leading citizens of the town endorsed the policy of the President, while a decided majority strongly opposed it. The bitter feeling continued to increase. Not only was Fredericksburg in a state of ebullition, but such was the case with the people throughout the entire country. Fredericksburg was the first to speak her views publicly, which has always been characteristic of her people when questions affecting the public good were to be considered.

A public meeting of the people was called at the courthouse by the friends of the administration to consider and adopt an address to the President, which was then the prevailing mode of communicating popular approval of the conduct of high officials. The meeting was extensively advertised and efforts were made to have it largely attended. This brought on a lively contest. The anti-administrationists of the town determined to try their strength with their opponents by attending the meeting, vote down their address and adopt resolutions setting forth their views and condemning the policy of the administration. To accomplish this the town was thoroughly canva.s.sed by them, which had already been done by the other party, and the courthouse was filled to its utmost capacity.

The meeting was held on the 14th day of May, 1798, and the "Virginia Herald," the presidential organ of the town, gave the proceedings in full, which will show the temper of the people and their defiant condemnation of the foreign policy of President Adams. The Herald said:

"On Monday the citizens of this corporation met, agreeably to notification published in the public papers, to express their sentiments on the present important and critical situation of this country. The meeting was called by the friends of the Executive, whose object was to address the President of the United States and to express their entire approbation of his conduct with respect to our foreign relations.

"An address to this effect was prepared and presented by Thomas R.

Rootes, Esq., which he supported by very lengthy arguments. He was followed by Capt. John Mercer, Col. John Minor and Col. John F.

Mercer, who successfully combatted the various arguments adduced by Mr. Rootes in support of his address. And the following resolutions then, prepared by Dr. David C. Ker, were approved and adopted. A division was called for on the address and resolutions and tellers appointed to take the number of votes, who reported that two-thirds of the citizens present were in favor of the resolutions. The meeting was more numerous than any we have ever seen in this place. During the whole of the discussion the most perfect order and decorum prevailed."

The resolutions, adopted in place of the address, will be interesting reading to our people, even in this day. They are as follows:

1. _Resolved_, As the opinion of this meeting that the administration of these States received the government of a happy and united people, in peace abroad and prosperity at home; that under their guidance, we have been led, oppressed with public, heavy debts, enormous taxes, a ruined commerce and depreciated produce, into hostility with a nation who aided to secure our independence by their own blood and treasure, with a republic the most powerful and successful that has appeared on earth for eighteen centuries, armed with every weapon to injure us, but whom we can in no wise injure; with a republic united with a confederacy so extensive as to separate us from all the civilized world but Britain, and her dependencies; that they have done this, not through ignorance and folly only, for they were at all times warned of the certain consequence of their measures; not through constraint, for although opposed, they always carried their measures; but men who have proved themselves by their own works, so unfit to govern us, even with every advantage, can never without madness be trusted in times of real difficulty and extreme danger; and that it is equally absurd to found confidence in our disasters, or to pursue that line, or to support those men who have already brought us to the verge of destruction.

2nd. Resolved, That the speech of the President of the United States to the ordinary session of Congress, was, in the opinion of this meeting, calculated to rouse the resentment of the French government and destroy any reasonable hope of successful negotiations between that republic and agents appointed by him.

3rd. Resolved, That the instructions to our envoys, so contrary to the spirit of that speech and the whole conduct of our administration, authorize this conclusion:--that they were rather intended to inflame the American mind than to produce good in France, under the well grounded expectation, that the negotiations would, from those and other causes, fail.

4th. Resolved, That the late negotiations with unauthorized swindlers in Paris, are so unexampled as to afford no justifiable ground for public measures, and that their publication, so far as they tend to excite the sensibility of our citizens, is unjustifiable, as they may commit the safety of the envoys highly imprudent.

5th. Resolved, That the militia are the only safe and const.i.tutional defence of these States; that they alone are adequate to this object, and that they will ever prove so, if guided by good government.

6th. Resolved, That we hold it to be our bounden duty, and we do solemnly pledge ourselves, firmly, to support our National rights and independence whenever a.s.sailed by foreign invasion or domestic usurpation.

[Ill.u.s.tration: The "Charity School," started by Benj. Day and others in the latter part of the eighteenth century. (See page 194)]

[Ill.u.s.tration: The Fire Department. (See page 144)]

Fontaine Maury was chairman of this large gathering of the people and signed the resolutions adopted by the meeting. They were then sent to Hon.

John Dawson, representative in Congress from this district, who laid them before the extra session of Congress for the consideration of that body.

These resolutions, adopted on the 14th of May, 1798, setting forth the principles upon which their authors believed the Union was founded, and upon which the government should be administered, were the basis for the famous resolutions drawn by Mr. Madison and pa.s.sed by the Virginia Legislature on the 2nd of December of the same year, which have since been the theme of Virginia Statesmen of that school when they would "revert to first principles."

The address, which was presented to the meeting and voted down by such a large majority, was directed to the President of the United States, and was as follows:

We, the subscribers, inhabitants of the town and corporation of Fredericksburg, in the State of Virginia, a.s.sembled at our town house, this 14th day of May, 1798, by a public notice, for the purpose of expressing our sense of the conduct of our government, in regard to its foreign relations, do communicate to you, as the sense of the subscribers, that your several attempts to restore that harmony between the United States and the French republic, which has been so unfortunately impaired, and to reinstate that good understanding between the two nations so desirous to the lovers of peace, have been wise and prudent, and ent.i.tle you to the highest evidence of our esteem; and that whatever may be the opinion of foreign nations, with respect to divisions among ourselves, should it be the misfortune of our country to be involved in a war with any nation, you will always find us ready with our lives and fortunes to support and defend the Const.i.tution and laws of our country.