Thomas C. Hanson

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From Tom Hanson

web site: http://www.christianconservativeeditor.com

e-mail: hansons4@verizon.net

Journalism history text books will tell you that the party press days were in the late 1700s to the mid 1800s. Maybe those days have returned. Read Henry Hamilton's first editorial (June 14, 1856 issue) after acquiring the Los Angeles Star explaining that the paper would continue to support the Democratic Party.    

                         Salutatory.

     Custom has made it a rule, that the person assuming the position of a public journalist should give an intimation of the course intended to be pursued, and the principles by which he is to be guided.   In our case this is very easily done.   The course has been plainly marked for us by our predecessors -- to devote ourselves to the promotion of the interests not only of this county, but of the Southern country at large -- to point out her wants, and advocate her claims, -- to make the public familiar with her vast natural advantages and capabilities -- her agricultural, manufacturing and mineral resources.   In short, to advocate all measures which shall tend to promote the general welfare -- to be the friend of reform and the opponent of extravagance, corruption and vice -- so to conduct our paper, that it shall be a welcome visitor to the family circle.

     We have no desire to make a parade of high sounding promises on this occasion.   We are anxious to be of service to the community, and are willing to abide by their verdict, from their experience of our course.

     Our political principles are referred to elsewhere.

                       Correspondence.

     To enable us to carry out our views as to the utility of a local press, it is necessary that the friends of the undertaking should co-operate with us.   It is not possible for us, without their assistance, to be informed of passing events, in remote parts of the country.   We therefore solicit correspondence from those interested in their various localities; but, to secure attention to such, they must be authenticated by the name of the writer not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee for their truthfulness.   This district is rich in matters of public interest.   Historical facts and reminiscences -- experiments in agriculture, horticulture, and in the various branches of the delightful science of pomology -- the later being of paramount interest in this vicinity -- the progress made in developing the mineral resources of our gulches and mountains -- facts in natural history -- and numerous other subjects which will suggest themselves to the intelligent and enterprising citizen, are respectfully solicited, and will always command a ready place in our columns.   If our friends will co-operate with us in this matter, we may entertain the hope of being able to present an interesting miscellany to our readers, and to make our locality known to and sought after by the inhabitants of the less favored districts of our State.

     TO ADVERTISERS.--We beg to direct the attention of professional and business men to the fact, that the Los Angeles Star has an extensive circulation throughout the entire Southern country, and therefore affords the best medium for making known their several claims to public patronage and support.   Send along, then, your cards and notices.   No business suffers by publicity, but many princely fortunes have been made by judicious advertising.

     TO SUBSCRIBERS.--We continue to forward a copy of the Star to all whose names we find on the books.   Should any one desire to discontinue in consequence of the change of proprietors, they will please forward directions to the office.   Our Agents in the various localities will please attend to this matter.   We shall take an early opportunity of paying our respects in person to our friends throughout the county.

     JOB PRINTING.--We beg to remind our friends and the public in general, that we have attached to our Office, a complete Book and Job Printing Establishment, and that we are now prepared to execute all kinds of work in that line.   Send along your orders and the cash , and we will execute the work, neatly, cheaply, and quickly.

                       A Village Press.

     Perhaps there may be those in our midst who regard it as a matter of very little moment whether a newspaper be published in the locality or not.   There are men in this world, and business men, too -- who think it all very well to have a newspaper, but who don't think they are called upon to do anything towards rendering it support.   They wish to see a newspaper, but don't think it necessary to subscribe for a copy; they will borrow it, and be the loudest in condemning it as "stale, flat and unprofitable"--forgetting the while, that its faults and failings are in no small measure attributable to their own neglect and unreasonable conduct.   If, then, you want to have a prosperous journal, support the printer, so that he may be enable to offer inducements to men of talent to contribute to his columns.   Subscribe for his paper, insert your advertisements, and have your business proclaimed over the country by placard and circular, the expenditure for which will be returned to you a thousand fold in the popularity you shall secure, and the notoriety you shall gain for your trade and location.   The following on this subject, from the N. Y. Tribune , is worthy of consideration:

     A VILLAGE PRESS.--Perhaps no one establishment is of more advantage to a community than that of a newspaper press.   A newspaper in a village advances the interests of all trades, professions and callings, by drawing to its vicinity much business that would otherwise be diverted into other channels, and giving prominence and notoriety abroad to the business capabilities and other advantages of such village.   The press is, as it were, the special counsel of the citizens of the town wherein it is located -- pleading in many cases without fee or reward, and in some instances conveying light and heat to establishments which otherwise "drag their slow length along" in utter obscurity.

     EL CLAMOR PUBLICO. -- To the polite and accomplished gentleman, Sr. F.P. Ramirez, editor of the above paper, we beg to return our thanks for the cordial welcome extended to us, and the kind wishes expressed for our success, in his last publication; and we beg to assure him, that we most heartily reciprocate the compliment.

                         Our Position

     We place at the head of our columns to-day the name of JAMES BUCHANAN, as our first choice for the Presidency.   That is the banner under which we enter the political arena.   It is our pride to be found contending, humbly but zealously, among the rank and file for the great truths of Democracy -- the sacred principles of civil and religious liberty -- the charter of equal rights and equal privileges.   Factions may rise, flourish and wane; the advocates of the people's cause, enticed by flattering prospects, may betray their trust; the cohesive power of the spoils may attract disjointed and warring elements, and organize a formidable opposition; but the march of human freedom cannot be stayed; the popular principle, at once the basis and the guardian of our institutions, will make itself felt, for "truth is great and it shall prevail."

     In making our bow to the people of this district, it is well, we think, to be thus explicit in defining our position.   It will prevent mistakes, and may possibly strengthen the hands of the friends of the good cause to do battle in its behalf; in the struggle which is approaching, we are desirous that our trumpet shall give no uncertain sound.

     Of our own motion have we assumed the position which we now occupy.   By the suggestion of no friend did we seek this locality; by the aid of no man's purse have we been placed here, a hireling or a puppet, to do a master's bidding, or dance as the wires may be pulled.   We are here, in the pursuit of a legitimate, an honest, and an honorable calling.   We ask no eleemosynary aid for our undertaking.   But we do ask, and expect to receive, the assistance and co-operation of an intelligent public -- the business man as well as the private citizen.   For this, they will receive their quid pro quo -- aye, and more than that.

     It will, then, at once be perceived, that we are free from the influence of cliques and factions.   They cannot influence us.   We are superior to them, because we are independent of them.   And while our voice shall ever be heard advocating the cause of progress and reform -- the principles of pure Democracy, it ever shall be regardless of men, or as they shall be recognized as the standard bearers of the party.

                       The Presidency.

     While we are writing, the proceedings of the Democratic National Convention, which assembled at Cincinnati on the first Monday in this month are winging their way throughout the length and breadth of the land.   From Maine to Texas has the news sped, swift as the lightning's flash.   That Convention nominated the future President, and the echo of their voice is resounding from hill to hill, giving joyful note of preparation to the waiting masses.   As elsewhere stated, our preferences are for Buchanan.   He is a National Democrat, free from all taint of cliques or parties, -- a profound statesman, intimately acquainted with the requirements of the lofty position, which he is so capable of occupying.   Pure in his attachment to his country, he would permit no foreign foe to desecrate the temple of freedom.   In every respect in which he may be viewed, in his public career, as in his private life, he is eminently qualified to guide the destinies of this mighty Republic.

     But while we thus feel in regard to Mr. Buchanan, we must not hide it from ourselves, that the Representatives of the people may not be able to concentrate their votes on him.   Each man has his partiality and his prejudices, and of course will stand by his friend.   But of this we are sure, no man unfit for the position can receive the nomination of that Convention.   There are plenty of good men to choose from, and the successful candidate shall receive our humble but hearty support, without variableness or shadow of turning.