Part 54 (2/2)

[Footnote 1215: _The Index_, Feb. 19, 1863, p. 265.]

[Footnote 1216: This was written immediately after the battles of Vicksburg and Gettysburg, but the tone complained of was much more marked in 1864.]

[Footnote 1217: The _Times_ average of editorials on the Civil War ran two in every three days until May, 1864, and thereafter one in every three days.]

[Footnote 1218: Russell wrote to John Bigelow, March 8, 1865: ”You know, perhaps, that, as I from the first maintained the North must win, I was tabooed from dealing with American questions in the _Times_ even after my return to England, but _en revanche_ I have had my say in the _Army and Navy Gazette_, which I have bought, every week, and if one could be weak and wicked enough to seek for a morbid gratification amid such ruins and blood, I might be proud of the persistence with which I maintained my opinions against adverse and unanimous sentiment”

(Bigelow, _Retrospections_, Vol. II, p. 361). Also on June 5, 1865, Russell wrote in his diary: ”...had the _Times_ followed my advice, how different our position would be--not only that of the leading journal, but of England. If ever I did State service, it was in my letters from America.” (Atkins, _Life of W.H. Russell_, Vol. II, p. 115.) See also Bigelow, _Retrospections_, I, pp. 344-45. Russell was editor of the _Gazette_ on its first appearance as a weekly, January 6, 1860, but left it to go to America. On his return he settled down to his editorial task in November, 1862, and thereafter, throughout the war, the _Gazette_ may be regarded as reflecting his views. His entire letters from America to the _Times_ const.i.tute a most valuable picture of the months preceding the outbreak of war, but the contempt poured on the Northern army for its defeat at Bull Run made Russell much disliked in the North. This dislike was bitterly displayed in a pamphlet by Andrew D. White (”A Letter to William Howard Russell, LL.D., on pa.s.sages in his 'Diary North and South'”), published in London in 1863.]

[Footnote 1219: June 25, 1864.]

[Footnote 1220: The _Army and Navy Gazette_, July 30, 1864.]

[Footnote 1221: _Ibid._, June 25, 1864.]

[Footnote 1222: _Ibid._, July 16, 1864. Similar articles and editorials might be quoted from many of the more important papers, but the _Times_ and the _Gazette_ will suffice as furnis.h.i.+ng the keynote. I have not examined in detail the files of the metropolitan press beyond determining their general att.i.tude on the Civil War and for occasional special references. Such examination has been sufficient, however, to warrant the conclusion that the _weight_ of the _Times_ in influencing opinion was very great. Collating statistics given in:

(1) Grant's _The Newspaper Press_; (2) in a speech in Parliament by Edward Banes in 1864 (Hansard, 3rd Ser., CLXXV, p. 295); and (3) in _Parliamentary Papers_, 1861, _Commons_, Vol. x.x.xIV, ”Return of the Registered Newspapers in the United Kingdom ... from 30 June, 1860, to 30 June, 1861,” the following facts of circulation are derived:

(A) _Daily Papers_:

(1) _The Telegraph_ (evening), 150,000 (neutral).

(2) _The Standard_ (morning and evening), 130,000 (Southern).

Under the same management was also _The Herald_ (morning), but with small circulation (Southern).

(3) The _Times_ (morning), 70,000 (Southern). Grant says: ”The prestige of the _Times_ was remarkable. The same articles appearing in other papers would not produce the same effect as in the _Times_.”

Of Delane, the editor, Grant declared ”His name is just as well-known ... throughout the civilized world as that of any of our European kings.... The _Times_ may, indeed, be called the Monarch of the Press.” (Grant, II, p. 53.)

(4) _The Morning Advertiser_ (circulation uncertain, probably 50,000), but very largely taken in the trades, in public-houses, and in the Clubs (neutral).

(5) _The Daily News_ (morning), 6,000 (Northern).

(6) _The Morning Star_, 5,500 (but with evening edition 10,000) (Northern). Grant says that contrary to general belief, John Bright was never a shareholder but at times raised money to meet deficits.

_The Star_ was regarded as an _anti-British paper_ and was very unpopular.

(7) _The Morning Post_, 4,500 (Southern). It was regarded as Palmerston's organ.

(8) _The Morning Chronicle_. Very small circulation in the 'sixties (neutral).

(B) _Weekly Papers._--No approximate circulation figures are available, but these papers are placed by Grant in supposed order of subscribers.

(1) _Reynolds' Weekly_. Circulation upwards of 350,000. A penny paper, extreme Liberal in politics, and very popular in the manufacturing districts (Northern).

(2) _John Bull_ (Southern). ”The country squire's paper.”

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