Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-04-04
"THE PRESS"
Response Of j. Harvey Mathes Be,
fore the Tennessee Medical
Society.

was responded to by Captain j. Harvey
Mathes, of the LEDGER At the request
Of a number of gentlemen who heard
this response, and in the absence Of
Captain Mathes, who is now in Nash.
vile, we present his remarks as follows:
Mr.. President and Gentlemen:
We live in an age Of remarkable dis
coveries and progress. 1t is more the
mission Of the press to record the events
of the dsy and comment upon them in.
t~elligently than to lead of in the field Of
scientific research. The press records
the fact with pleasure that the medical
profession is progressive, selt.sacrifcing
and devoted to the great work OF reduc-
ipg the sum total Of human Ills, prolong.
ing life aud sottening the trials of its
exits aud entrances. Times have greatly
changed since the profession Of q doctor
was combined with that of the barber, and
the sign of the striped pole meant that a
customer could undergo a blood-letting
process or q toBsorisl operation with
equal facility at the hands of the same
man. With the increase of artificial tastes
and wants of our race the science OF
medicise has been perfected and CLASH
fed until its specialties are almost as
numerous as human woes. The use Of
@nesthetics is comparatively recent
Yet it mobiles the worst ills to which we
are liable and often converts the co, OF
the sufferer to a bed Of perfumed roses,
and meanwhile gives wearied nature time
to rally her scattered forces and r%eyivify
the whole being. need not tell you Of
the triumphs of medical science or the
devotion Of those who follow this noble
profession, or that they are usually men
Of moral and physical courage who often
risk their own lives to ssve others aud
cut themselves off from the venue to
wealth, ease and promotion. But il may
not be egotistic in behalf Of the press to
say that it too has made great progress
since the days of Faust, when the FIRST
types we're cut from wood with a peu-
knife, and the first bibles printed were
supposed 10 be the work of the devil on
sccount Of the uniformity Of the letters.
That which ianat;cism and superstition
attributed to the super natural was only
the work Of genius and industry. The
rude hand-press of our colonial times,
when the news travelled slowly across
the country at the rate Of q thousand
miles q menth, has been set aside as a
curiosity to be succeeded by the steam
power press, which works off thousands
of Impressions an hour. The press, as
it is to day, is aggressive; it is not only
q medium for publishing the news Of the
day and holding the mirror up to nature.
but has become a factor in solving the
political, social and scientific problems
Of this miraculous but marvellous age.
Its themes the great questions which
concern us from the cradle to the GENE.
terry; It's field The whole physical and
speculative world. and its facilities such
that it levies a certain kind Of tribute
upon the brain OF all other professions.
No wonder that the press in coRscien.
tious and well trained hands has become
a power. More especially is this so in
our country, where the freedom of the
press is considered as equivalent to
freedom of speech, aud those legitimately
engaged in the newspaper business are
treated with the Difference due the learn.
ed profession. in which special technical
training is required. journalism has no
universities, degrees CT diplomas. There
are doctors of laws. Of medicine, and Of
theology, but ne doctors Of the press,
although it may often be in need of doc
teriDg Papers that I'll a public necessity
generally take root and grow in the sun.
shine Of public favor. The press is on
good terms with all professions and all
%avocstions because it is the exponent of
the people. 1t is upon the most cordial
terms with the disciples Of Gael and
Esculaiyus, although they are not its
most liberal patrons, aud 10 their an.
ciebt, conservative spirit, seldom let the
right hand know wkat the left doeth.
Upon this occasion / am happy to feel as.
cured that all hands and hearts are open,
aud that open hospitality and the spirit
Of generous fellowship rules the hour.
May your first gathering here upon the
banks Of the Mississippi, 10 the extreme
southwestern part Of our noble old State,
serve as a better introduction among the
members Of the medical profession, in.
crease the strength and prestige and use.
fitness Of the Tennessee Medical Society.
] trust, sir, that the welcome given to-day
and this evening to ih1se from a distance
will assure them that Memphis. isolated
as she is from the rts' Of the State, has
a warm heart, and that they will carry
back tho most pleasing recollections Of
ibis reunion. ] have been told that this
society is Fifty years old, and that an
honored few survive who belonged to the
original organization. In closing | BEG
leave to express the hope that many Of
you may be spared fer such q long and
distinguished career Of valuable service,
to your fellow men / thank the officers
Of the society for the honor conferred 10
calling upon me to respond 10 THE
Press" and beg to thank you all for your