Baltimore's Daily Press and Slavery, 1857-1860

Discusses slavery and its representation in Baltimore's daily press, highlighting the impact of the Dred Scott decision in 1857 and John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry in 1859. The author describes the three main types of newspapers found in Baltimore: the mercantile, penny, and political presses, each with its own audience and political leaning. The Scott case initiated editorials on slavery in the Baltimore press, and Brown's raid dramatically changed the content and focus of the Sun and the American and Commercial Daily Advertiser to event-oriented journalism.