EMPOWERING VOICES: THE PRINTING PRESS IN AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY
/Frederick Douglass Jr. • The North Star • Frederick Douglass
In the 19th century, the printing industry wielded a transformative influence on the trajectory of African American history, acting as a powerful force in shaping narratives, fostering activism, and cultivating community empowerment. The impact of the printing press during this era went beyond the mechanical processes of typesetting and ink rolling; it was a catalyst for change, allowing African Americans to reclaim their stories, challenge stereotypes, and advocate for equality.
Silencing Stereotypes: the Power of the Press
Due to insensibility and prejudice, most African Americans found themselves subjected to negative stereotypes and misrepresentations in mainstream media. The lack of control over their own narratives perpetuated damaging narratives, contributing to a skewed community perception. However, the emergence of African-American-owned newspapers and printing establishments marked a significant shift in storytelling dynamics.
the FRONT PAGE FROM THE NORTH STAR DATED FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 1848.
In 1827, Freedom’s Journal became the first black-owned and operated newspaper in the United States. It was established in New York City following the abolition of slavery in New York State that same year. Later, in 1847, Frederick Douglass founded The North Star.
These newspapers and others served as a significant platform for African Americans to express themselves, confront societal biases, and passionately support the abolitionist movement. They served as a contrast to the biased portrayals often found in mainstream media during that era.
Humble Beginnings: Horace McGuire and the Printing Press Odyssey
Within the complex fabric of this story, Horace McGuire, a white man born into extreme poverty, witnessed the suffering and injustice experienced by African Americans in the printing and publishing industry during the 19th century. As a young apprentice, McGuire’s journey through various printing offices in upstate New York, including Binghamton, Elmira, and Horseheads, vividly illustrates the daily grind in the printing industry during that era.
WASHINGTON HAND PRESS AT THE INTERNATIONAL PRINTING MUSEUM
Describing his routine, McGuire recollects, “I worked in a printing office in Binghamton, and I well remember some of my duties. I must be at the office at 6:30 A.M., make the fire in the big wood stove, sprinkle the floor, and then sweep up the office.” His involvement in the printing companies extended to running errands and, more significantly, rolling type with an ink roller before each impression on a large Washington River hand press.
In 1859, McGuire’s family relocated to Rochester, where, at 15, he found employment in the printing office of none other than Frederick Douglass. This shift marked a crucial juncture in McGuire’s life, connecting him with an influential figure in African American history.
The North Star Newspaper: A Printing Press Chronicle
FREDERICK DOUGHLAS CIRCA 1879.
The North Star, Frederick Douglass’s weekly newspaper, is prominent in the annals of African American print culture. In a letter to his close friend and fellow abolitionist Amy Post in October 1847, Douglass expressed his decision to publish The North Star in Rochester and make that town his future home.
Setting up shop in downtown Rochester, Douglass faced both challenges and triumphs in the pursuit of disseminating his ideas. Funds earned during his British Lecture Series launched the paper’s launch. In his letter to Post, Douglass detailed his efforts, explaining, “I am now buying type and all the little etcs of a printing establishment.” However, not all steps proceeded as intended. Douglass recognized a particular challenge when he admitted that he had, in his own words, “very foolishly” used half of the funds to buy a printing press that his printer later found inadequate.
Despite setbacks, The North Star found its voice. The physical process of preparing the newspaper for production began in a single room in Douglass’ office. At the same time, the actual printing was outsourced to the Rochester Democrat due to press-related challenges. This room served as the nucleus where McGuire, Douglass’s employee, and Douglass’s children set the type for the paper.
Lewis Henry Douglass, the eldest son of Frederick and Anna Douglass, played a crucial role in the newspaper’s production as a well-educated apprentice working as a typesetter. Frederick Douglass Jr., the second son of Frederick and Anna, also apprenticed on his father’s newspaper. Together, they undertook the meticulous process of setting the type. Once the formes were locked up in the chase, they were carried into the office of the Rochester Democrat for printing.
Post-printing, Rosetta, the eldest of the five Douglass children, helped package the newspaper for delivery and shipping to subscribers. McGuire highlighted Rosetta’s involvement, stating, “Rosa helped us each week with the edition of this weekly paper.” The collaborative efforts in producing The North Star underscored the role of the printing press as a communal endeavor, where each individual played a crucial part in bringing forth a powerful narrative.
McGuire’s Expansive Role and the Underground Railroad Connection
McGuire’s duties transcended mere typesetting; he became integral to Douglass’s printing office. His day commenced by opening the offices early in the morning, undertaking tasks ranging from making fires to sweeping up. McGuire’s engagement extended to running errands and making himself generally useful.
In his autobiography, McGuire vividly recalled a remarkable aspect of his time at the printing office — the presence of “colored persons, refugee slaves, sitting on the stairs in the early morning.” This revelation connects the printing office with the covert operations of the Underground Railroad, a network facilitating the escape of enslaved African Americans to freedom.
The office, usually associated with the mechanical process of printing The North Star newspaper, also served as an unexpected station in the Underground Railroad. While working on the paper, McGuire found himself in the midst of discussions about the affairs of the Underground Railroad. These experiences became a formative part of his journey, preparing him for a subsequent role as one of the white officers in an African American troop serving during the Civil War.
Post-Civil War: The Douglass Family’s Printing Odyssey Continues
The aftermath of the Civil War ushered in a new era for the Douglass Family’s involvement in printing. Lewis and Frederick Douglass Jr., having apprenticed in their father’s newspaper, became skilled compositors, printers, and editors. However, their journey in the printing industry was fraught with challenges.
FREDERICK DOUGLASS JR. CIRCA 1863.
In 1869, Lewis Douglass married Helen Amelia Loguen, and the couple relocated to Washington D.C., where Lewis made history as the first African American typesetter employed by the Government Printing Office. Unfortunately, his tenure in this groundbreaking role was cut short due to racial discrimination.
That same year, Frederick Jr. married Virginia L. Hewlett. While Virginia stayed in Rochester at the Douglass homestead, Frederick Jr. moved to Washington, D.C.. He lived with his younger brother Charles, who was serving as one of the first African-American clerks in the Freedmen’s Bureau.
INTERNATIONAL TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION LOGO, FOUNDED MAY 1852
In their pursuit to join the local International Typographical Union (ITU) branch, Lewis and Frederick Jr. encountered a protracted battle with union members debating whether a “colored printer” should be admitted. This debate unfolded against the backdrop of the acceptance of the first female printers in 1869.
Finally, in May of 1869, the question was raised at a meeting of the Washington D.C. chapter of the ITU. After extensive discussion, proposals, and counter-proposals, the Union voted on all other candidates who proposed for admission but then abruptly adjourned the meeting. Despite numerous letters written both for and against the matter in the subsequent days and months, no resolution was reached.
Frustrated by the discriminatory practices within the ITU, Frederick Jr. sought alternative employment. He applied for a clerkship within the District of Columbia Register of Deeds. However, even after two years had passed, neither he nor his brother Lewis were admitted nor rejected for membership in the ITU, leaving their status unresolved.
Undaunted by these obstacles, Frederick Douglass Jr. and his brother Lewis embarked on a new venture alongside their father. They assumed the roles of co-editors and eventually took ownership of a newspaper, the New National Era, as well as the printing plant responsible for its production.
FRONT PAGE OF THE NEW NATIONAL ERA NEWSPAPER DATED SEPTEMBER 8TH, 1870.
The newspaper closely followed the proceedings of Congress, which, for the first time, included African American representatives. It meticulously documented the Federal government's efforts to quell the Ku Klux Klan's reign of terror against Black individuals and their allies in the Southern states. Douglass also utilized the platform to advocate for women's rights, particularly those of Black women, including their right to vote.
Operating from 1870 to 1874, the newspaper also serialized stories penned by Harriet Beecher Stowe, which would later form the basis of her renowned novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin.
The release of the book, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, was a printing success. According to an article published in The Atlantic, the book’s success was immediate. Three thousand copies were sold on the first day. Ten thousand copies had gone within a few days, and a second edition went to press. After that, eight printing presses running day and night could barely keep pace with the demand for it. Within a year, three hEmpowering Voices: The Printing Press in African American History
