Page:History of Journalism in the United States.djvu/284

258 first time, the curious tendency of the American reader to court what he most dreads. Joseph T. Buckingham's New England Galaxy, which violated all the traditions and decorous rules of the day, was the most abused paper in Boston, and the one that was most read. What most impressed Bennett on his first insight into American journalism was that, despite all the abuse, Buckingham possessed power, and that he achieved his distinction by his extravagant and severe style.

Going to New York, Bennett saw what he considered a justification for Buckingham. With the exception of Mordecai M. Noah of the New York Advocate, William L. Stone of the Commercial Advertiser and William Coleman of the Evening Post, the papers were unimportant and the editors too much given to personal and futile abuse.

After a short experience in Charleston as ship news reporter, Bennett returned to New York, and was soon made the Washington correspondent of the Enquirer. During the presidential election of 1828, he was in the thick of the fight and ardently supported Andrew Jackson, showing considerable aptitude as a politician for a man who had been only a" few years in the country.

The following year he became an associate editor of the Courier and Enquirer, under James Watson Webb, and that journal was soon distinguished for its advocacy of many of the popular reforms. It was a strong Jackson organ, with Bennett enthusiastically leading the fight for the extension of democracy. The period was rough, with little regard for the refinement of editorial debate, but the young Scotchman seemed to enjoy it. Editors openly accused one another of the most disgusting acts, and the pistol was an editorial accessory not infrequently