Page:History of Journalism in the United States.djvu/61



In Boston, Philadelphia and New York, American journalism had its beginnings; strong, characteristic combative beginnings, with many clashes against the authority that sought to stifle it—authority that was in very short time to learn its power. In the development of the press and the growth of the power of public opinion, it was in these three cities that the struggle democratic ideas was keenest, and here, too, the  employed were the ablest. We also see that journalism can function at its best only where it is an active participant, if not the leader, in the fight for democratic ideas and popular rights. In later years the papers throughout the country came to be the great organs of public indignation and reform, achieving success for the causes espoused, and distinction and influence for the journalists who dominated them, but only as they were combative democratic and representative of the people.

"It would be perfectly reasonable to expect that (journalism) would reach its highest development in  cities," says J. Allen Smith; "here modern democracy was born; here we find the physical and social conditions