Chapter 4: editorial Experiments.—1826-1828.
At the close of his apprenticeship, Garrison establishes in Newburyport the free Press, and brings Whittier to light. XVIIAlthough his own political sympathies and affiliations were with the Federalists and their successors, the Federal Republicans, it was Mr. Allen's effort so to conduct the Herald as to secure the good — will and patronage of all parties in the community, and the paper was classed as ‘independent,’ which signified in those days neutrality and a willingness to admit communications from both parties to its columns. So far was this from satisfying the Democrats of Newburyport and vicinity, however, that they tried, in 1824, to establish a newspaper of their own, under the title of the Northern Chronicler. The venture was unsuccessful, and the paper was sold, in June, 1825, to Isaac Knapp, 3rd, who changed its name to the Essex Courant and published it as a ‘neutral’ paper until the following spring, the last issue being dated March 16, 1826. The next week the paper underwent another change and appeared, on March 22, under the title of the Free Press, and with the name of Wm. L. Garrison as publisher in place of his friend Mr. Knapp, whose retirement on account of ill-health was announced in the final number of the Courant. Thus, within three months from the termination of his long apprenticeship in the Herald office, Garrison found himself the editor and publisher of a newspaper in his native town, and entered upon his new career full of confidence in his own abilities, and of hope that success would reward his effort to establish a bold and independent
