Philadelphia Demokrat
Encyclopedia
The Philadelphia Demokrat was a German-language
morning paper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
.
The Demokrat was founded in May 1838 by a number of German-speaking Democrats
, for the purpose of supporting David R. Porter
as a candidate for governor, against Joseph Ritner
. It was the first journal of its kind in the United States. Its first number was issued on 27 August 1838. Burkhardt and Rothenstein were the publishers, and No. 391 (old number) North Front Street, between Green and Coates Streets (now Fairmount Avenue), was the publication office. After Porter's election the Demokrat was, for a short time, issued weekly, but soon became a daily paper again.
In the second year of its existence, Ludwig August Wollenweber became the proprietor, and published it first at the corner of Old York Road and Callowhill Street, and afterward in Third Street, below Noble. In 1852, Wollenweber sold the paper to John S. Hoffman, and in September 1853, Hoffman sold the paper to Edward Morwitz
. Hoffman however remained involved with the paper as an adviser, and the firm of Hoffman & Morwitz was established. This arrangement continued until the 9 July 1873 when Hoffman withdrew from the firm. Afterwards the publication of the Demokrat was continued by Morwitz under the firm of Morwitz & Co. In his conduct of the paper, Morwitz advocated measures for the improvement of the city, among them the consolidation of its different sections under a single mayor.
In November 1868, the office was moved to a new printing house, Nos. 612 and 614 Chestnut Street. The Demokrat at that time was a four-page paper, containing thirty-six columns. In the mid-1880s, its newspaper, publishing, and printing business was the largest and most extensive German establishment of its kind in the United States.
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
morning paper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
.
The Demokrat was founded in May 1838 by a number of German-speaking Democrats
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, for the purpose of supporting David R. Porter
David R. Porter
David Rittenhouse Porter was the ninth Governor of Pennsylvania. He served from 1839 to 1845.-Life:Porter, the first governor under the State Constitution of 1838 was born October 31, 1788, near Norristown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania spending his boyhood at Selma Mansion, a home built by his...
as a candidate for governor, against Joseph Ritner
Joseph Ritner
Joseph Ritner was the eighth Governor of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, elected as a member of the Anti-Masonic Party. He was elected Governor of Pennsylvania in the Pennsylvania Gubernatorial election, 1835, and served from 1835 to 1839. Controversy surrounding his 1838 electoral defeat led...
. It was the first journal of its kind in the United States. Its first number was issued on 27 August 1838. Burkhardt and Rothenstein were the publishers, and No. 391 (old number) North Front Street, between Green and Coates Streets (now Fairmount Avenue), was the publication office. After Porter's election the Demokrat was, for a short time, issued weekly, but soon became a daily paper again.
In the second year of its existence, Ludwig August Wollenweber became the proprietor, and published it first at the corner of Old York Road and Callowhill Street, and afterward in Third Street, below Noble. In 1852, Wollenweber sold the paper to John S. Hoffman, and in September 1853, Hoffman sold the paper to Edward Morwitz
Edward Morwitz
Edward Morwitz was a physician and inventor in Germany and a newspaper publisher and physician in the United States.-Germany:...
. Hoffman however remained involved with the paper as an adviser, and the firm of Hoffman & Morwitz was established. This arrangement continued until the 9 July 1873 when Hoffman withdrew from the firm. Afterwards the publication of the Demokrat was continued by Morwitz under the firm of Morwitz & Co. In his conduct of the paper, Morwitz advocated measures for the improvement of the city, among them the consolidation of its different sections under a single mayor.
In November 1868, the office was moved to a new printing house, Nos. 612 and 614 Chestnut Street. The Demokrat at that time was a four-page paper, containing thirty-six columns. In the mid-1880s, its newspaper, publishing, and printing business was the largest and most extensive German establishment of its kind in the United States.