Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1874-06-04
STATE EoIToalAL CONVENTION.

SaXtOn,o1 the Urb2na Cttizen freSl-
dent of the Association took the
chair and called the Convention to
order. The Secretary j. Q. A.
Campbell, of Bellefountaine Repub-
lican, read the minutes of the last
meeting. A letter from the Colum-
bus Press was read inviting the As
sociation to ride about the city,
and to a banquet in the evening; al
SO letter from Col. Innis, warden
of the Penitentiary, asking the edi-
tors to visit that Institution. These
invitations were accepted. After
the appointment of committees the
Convention took a recess till half
past one o'clock After dinner the
Association listened to the following
address Of welcome by Gen. Comfy,
editor of the State Journal:
toriaI Association: -.1
have to thank the gentlemen of the
local press for the pleasant Office to
which am delegated-that of welcom-
ing you, on behalf Of the printers, pub
fishers, editors and citizens generally,
to the capital city, and extending Its
inequalities to you, as representatives.
Of that secular ministry which Is now
the distinguishing feature Of the high
est civilization. When the castaWay
lands on desert island nowadays, he
does not 60 about hunting gallows, in
order to determine whether the coun-
try is civilized-(aceording to Sidney
Smiths formula)-but he looks for a
newspaper. 1t is beyond question that
In our day, any country is recognized
among men as advanced in that highest
intelligence which is called civilization,
In proportion as its press Is free, en-
lighted, impartial and courageous.
In no country Is there more complete
liberty of the press than in this; in no
other country is the Independence Of
the press so wholly sustained BY an en-
lightened public opinisn; SO also am
sure that in no other country is there a
more perfect realization of the great
facts which lie at the base of that ideal
perfection so often wrought out theeret-
ically by the political philosopher, but
which is found in actual existence only
In governments where every citizen has
an equal voice in affairs. In despotic
governments the ruler may say arro-
gantly that The King is the State: In
our government we say The People is
the State.
For the maintenance of this sover-
eighty the individual citizen is indebt-
ed to that function which have termed
secular ministry. II the press is faith
ful to itself and its obligations to the
body Of the people, 1t can be nothing
less than the incarnation Of fair play
and inexorable candor. Nothing tends
more to establish such relations be-
tween the different members of this
ministry as insure this fair play and
candor, than the frequent coming to-
gether in such bodies as this, for the
cultivation of those kindly social and
business relations which teach mutual
respect and fOrbearance. As we know
each other more Intimately, and learn
by fraternal intercourse to regard and
esteem each other, we, are led to con-
duct our controversies more and more
in that spirit which distinguishes gen.
tlemen who meet each other in social
relation. The bitterness of mere an
tagonism gives way to the courtesy and
candor which govern the intercourse of
friends, who may differ in opinion and
yet preserve mutual respect and esteem.
The result is q higher tone, more
thorough and logical examination OF
public questions, greater freedom of
inquiry and less license Of expletive.
The public is the gamer, in more intel
ligent treatment of topics of inquiry !;
and the press is immeasurable the gain
er in secure popular respect, as well
as in enduring self respect.
Recognizing these important advan-
tages, both to the press and the State,
from these friendly meetings, we well
come you to our city, which is as much
yours as ours, by virtue of its position
as the State capital. We unhesitating-
ly expect that you will feel the same
pride and interest which are felt by its
most devoted children who gather about
its homes and firesides; we expect you
to make yourselves at home here, as
those who have come up for an annual
family gathering. We invite you to
look about you and take note of the
family increase; and we cordially make
you welcome to the city board, which
will be spread in due time with refresh
ments for the inner man.
And when you return to your own
homes, let it be as though you were 60
ing out from the ancestral roof tree, af-
| for q a
of your own household.
| Gentlemen, you are heartily welcome.
May you live long and prosper.
Mr.. Bascom, in behalf of the As
sociation, made a reply. His re-
marks were brief and to the point.
He complimented Columbus, as the
Capital City, on its healthy progress
and general good appearance. He
considered it an honor to belong to
the press of Ohio. 1t is our duty,
he said, to cultivate fraternal feel
ings and respect for each other rath-
er than be continually sparring at
one another. He said that personal
squabbles were only injurious to
reputation, and never are beneficial
to any one.
The Com mittee on Permanent Or
ganization recommended the cleo
tion of officerst as follows, and their
Recommendation was adopted: Pres
ident-J. NJ. Comfy. Vice President,
james A. Estill and S.N.Delacourt
Secretary-D. S. Fisher. Treasurer
L. Harper. Executive Commit
tee-A. j. Mack. C. Nichols and
Mr.. Bascom. At four O'Clock, car
riages were at the door to convey
the editors to the different points
of interest in the city. They were
first driven to the State Fair
Grounds, thence back past the
Blind and Deaf and Dumb Asy-
lums, to the Penitentiary where they
were shown through by Col. Innis.
After this they were driven to the
Lunatic Asylum, and then to the
Idlotic Asylum, where an elegant
collation. had been made ready for
them. After supper they were
shown through the institution and