Religious newspapers in the Old Northwest to 1861: A history, bibliography, and record of opinion - Hardcover

Norton, Wesley

9780821401934: Religious newspapers in the Old Northwest to 1861: A history, bibliography, and record of opinion

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0821401939 ISBN 13: 9780821401934

Publisher: Ohio University Press, 1977

Religious newspapers of the Old Northwest were more moderate and influential than has been previously believed. The religious press was not bigotedly devoted to denominational partisanship. In addition to expressing opinions on general social and political questions, it strove to counteract the crudities and violence of a frontier society. The new technology of printing in the second quarter of the 19th century provided the means for a clergyman to extend his influence far beyond the limitations of his own voice or ability to travel. Scores of men poured time, money and scarcely developed talent into one after another of the hybrid newspapers. Their content ranged through learned discussions of theology, church history, general news, market reports and bank note tables. They tackled the great questions of slavery and were involved in such other issues as the reckless operation of railroads. Norton sheds new light on the character and influence of the religious press in the antebellum period. The newspapers kept masses of people informed, preventing them from sliding into dull provincialism.

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