Page:History of the newspapers of Beaver County, Pennsylvania.djvu/51

EARLY DEMOCRATIC PAPERS. 35 Beaver County Patriot. In June 1841, Jonas B. Shurtleff brought from the east a complete newspaper outfit, and started a Demo- cratic paper in Bridgewater, which he named the "Beaver County Patriot." It was an ably edited and attractive paper, and contained the following in the salutation to the Democratic hosts: "We shall study to promote the interests of the county, in a business point of view, with- holding no credit from any individual, to whatever political party he may attach himself, for any aid he may afford in facilitating the growing improvements con- nected with the prosperity of the county. And amid all the political strifes that have attended our career, we have never lost sight of that respect due to those who have differed with us in political opinions, for whenever men suffer the exchange of little neighborly kindnesses to be sacrificed to gratify political ambition, not only do those immediately at variance suffer, but a precedent is established which, if generally carried out, would mar the peace, quietude and confidence which are the binding cords of social happiness." The "Western Argus" gave the new paper a welcome, saying — "We are willing to meet the new editor in the spirit of courtesy and toleration. There's room sufficient for him amongst us ; and if we should differ in regard to measures and men, we trust it will be in an honorable spirit, and free from the low personalities which too often disgrace the profession." And they certainly differed, and the political dis- cussions between the two papers became at times very warm and personal. They had a long and heated dis-