American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-06-14
The Press Convention.

, on the 18th inst. Arriving at Jack
son. it was our good fortune to meet
several representatives of the Press
en- ronte for the same point, and
whose bright intelligence and cheer
full conversation served to break
into vivacity the dull monotony OF
railroad life. A few hours travel
brought us to Meridian, and we con-
TESS to no little disappointment in
the general business appearance OF
place. as well as the rapidity of its
growth. 1t bears now all tie dis
! tinctive features of a growing,
thriving city, and bids fair to occu-
py prond position in the State.
The generous hospitality extended
! to the members of the Convention,
was in beautiful harmony with the
general character of its inhabitants.
and will long be held in grateful re-
membrance by that body.
The business of the Convention
was conducted in the most parlia-
mentary manner, aud in this par
ticular was a decided improvement
on all preceding meetings. One
thing was particularly noticeable,
to which we take great pleasure in
referring, and that was the absence
of that painful effort at display !;
that restless anxiety for effect, so
derogatory to the actor, and always
so unpleasant to the beholder.
There was comparatively little OF
that. The members, as a general
thing, were. quiet and dignified,
maniiesting a consciousness of their
ability to transact the business
which called them together, as gen
tlemen of their character and intel
| ligence were expected to do.
Among the many questions adj
vocated for the good Of the profess
sion, we can not now notice but two,
the passage of resolutions author
izing the publication of delinquent
advertisers, and TO reject all offers
from advertising agencies at less
than published rates. These reso-
lutions were much needed, and will
prove greatly advantageous TO the
press of the State, if Iigidly adher-
ed to.
Wednesday night was set apart
for a concert at Benefits Opera
House, by Prof. Won Godasky, Miss
Cooper and other young ladies. and
which proved a decided success. all
parties contributing largely to the
delight of the auditors.
The annual address, by Col. Har
per, Of the Oklahoma Southern States,
was admirably written, and Geliv-
cred with the ease. grace and ele
gance for which the Col. is SO just
ly celebrated. The essay of Mr..
Stevens, of the Columbus Mder,
was chaste and elegant production
and reflected much credit OH its
author.
"The Press poem by Mrs.
| Sallie Ada Vance, was fully up to
the reputation of its gifted author,
ami received, as it deserved, the
! full need of applause.
The crowning gem OF the evening.
was the reading of an exquisite
poem, entitled HAPPY" by its
fair author, Miss jennie Hunt,
(Madge). of Vicksburg. The fame
of This sweet singer had preceded
her, and hundreds of eyes and
hearts were anxiously watching and
waiting for her appearance on the
rOstrum. At length, the fair young
poetess, accompanied by her hon
Ored father and two favored gentle
men of the press, walked gracefully
to her position on the stage, followed
at every step by the lingering gazt
of admiration AS she stood before
that large assembly, flushed with
the excitement of the scene, We fell
IL sympathy for her that seldom Wis
its the breast of a stranger. Hav
lug heard that she possessed thu
power to entwiHe about her brow
the brightest wreath of poetic fame
vet we feared that the scene, ant
/ its attendant circums anceS, wOult
prove too much for her selfposses
sion, and that her tongue, so clio
quent III sentiment, would fail t,
give utterance to the ciIaSt'
thoughts and beautiful emotions
which were nesting in the mysti
chambers of her soul, and will
which her face and eyes were $,
sweetly beaming. Oar apprehen
sions were, however, entirely ground
less. With calm, clear and some
what slightly trcmulous voice, sli
commenced her poem, and held he
audience spell-bound to il, close
or this reuiarka BILE creation of he
tupeiul muse, we must say, that
was not only worthy OF its youthful