Page:History of American Journalism.djvu/111

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REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD
83

sylvania Journal and The Pennsylvania Gazette were typical examples of papers which adopted such a scheme. The former, in its issue for October 31, 1765, was the edition par excellence of the Stamp Act days. Reproduced on another page, it did much to arouse the colonists to drastic action, but it was the appearance of the paper typographically rather than what it said editorially that made this issue so influential. The Maryland Gazette, another paper which issued a "Doom's-Day Number," appeared in deep mourning, with the skull and crossbones, representing the stamp, on the lower right-hand corner of the front page, and printed in deep black type the words, "The Times are Dreadful, Dismal, Doleful, Dolorous, and Dollarless." Though this newspaper had announced in its issue of October 10, 1765, that it would suspend publication, it was kept before the people of Maryland by "apparitions" which closely resembled the real thing. For example, on January 30, 1766, there appeared The Maryland Gazette Reviving: on February 20, 1766, The Maryland Gazette Revived, and by March 6, 1766, The Maryland Gazette. These "apparitions" proved that The Gazette was "not dead but only sleepeth." After the date last mentioned, the paper resumed regular publication. Even The South Carolina Gazette had in place of its title the usual imprint, "No Stamped Paper To Be Had."

Other newspapers took just as decided a stand against the act. Hugh Gaine printed in his New-York Weekly Mercury on October 28, 1765, a notice that his paper "must now cease for a Time and the Period of its Resurrection is uncertain," but that "when it is revived the Printer hopes for a Continuation of the Favour of his Friends." He made—as did many other printers who issued a similar announcement—an appeal to patrons to pay what was due on subscriptions. A little later a New York mob compelled the surrender of all stamped paper in that city, and thus Gaine, when he printed a news-sheet on November 4, with "No Stamped Paper To Be Had" as its title, literally told the truth. All papers which adopted some subterfuge in the matter of headings resumed their old titles after the first few weeks of the Stamp Act.

A most diligent and careful search has not revealed among the