Page:History of American Journalism.djvu/328



was demanded under threat of total suspension. General Grant, incensed at an editorial entitled " Mischief-Makers, " in The Avalanche, of Memphis, ordered that either the paper suspend or the writer of the offensive editorial resign. Jeptha Folkes accordingly withdrew from the editorial staff and The Avalanche continued for a short time, only to suspend a little later for other reasons until the war was over.

CONDITIONS OF REVIVAL

The following editorial notice from The Evening Whig, the only paper to make its appearance in Richmond after Evacuation Day, set forth the conditions under which publication of a news- paper was generally permitted by Federal authorities :

The publication of The Whig is resumed this afternoon, with the con- sent of the military authorities. The editor, and all who heretofore con- trolled its columns, have taken their departure. The proprietor and one attache of the recent editorial corps remain. The former has had a con- ference with General Shepley, the Military Governor, who has assented to the publication of the paper on conditions which will be cheerfully and faithfully complied with. The Whig will therefore be issued here- after as a Union paper. The sentiments of attachment to our "whole country," which formerly characterized it as a journal will again find expression in its columns, and whatever influence it may have for the restoration of the national authority will be exerted.

As soon as practicable a full and efficient editorial force will be organized. For the present we ask the indulgence of our readers. We will do the best we can under existing circumstances, promising a daily improvement in the variety and interest of the contents of the paper, until we shall make The Whig commend itself to the favor and support of all persons loyal to the Government of the United States.

The terms cannot, as yet, be definitely fixed. We shall commence with such charge, in Federal currency, as we conceive to be fair and reasonable. In a short time we will resume the issue of a double sheet.

CENSORSHIP OF THE PRESS

General Rosecrans has mentioned that the papers of the South seldom betrayed the movements of Confederate troops in such a way as to give valuable information to the North. This con- dition was due to the fact that most of the papers in that section of the country received their war news through an official press