The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1878-06-19
Address OF welcome by Prof. R. G.

WIN b''S 'hS cSpOhos
Nr. President and Gentlemen Of tie Ken
lucky Press Association You have left
your hoIes aud have come hither TO re-
new old friendships; to form new ac-
quainlances to cheer ard be cheered by
discourse with one another, and to for,
get, for a time, the cares OF your profess
sion in the enjoyment OF social inter-
course. | am here TO speak for the cili~
zens Of Hopklnsville, and. in their behalf.
to welcome you to our city. | regret the
absence Of the honorable gentleman who
was expected to perform this office, for
can not hope to welcome You so grace
FULLY as Mr. Mckenzie would do, were
be present. But # the greeting which is
extended through me is lacking in grace.
iulness, | assure you 1t does not lack COR
diality.
The press may not be the god of our
idolitry," "a one of England's poets has
called it, but there are few institutions
which we so highly esteem, and the rep-
reservations Of which we so willingly
honor 1t is to the people what the or
gans OF sense are to the soul. The news.
paper is the eye with which we see, pass
ing in review before us, the events that
are TRANSPORTING in distant lands. 1t is the
ear with which we near the rush and
roar of the great world as it "spins
down the ringing grooves OF change" Ii
~ the uniting link IN the chain that cons
meets the various communities of men,
the great medium OF communication be-
tween States, and nations and continents.
IL thus becomes mighty power for har-
monizing and uniting our race As hot
aud cold bodies when brought together.
influence one another until all are reduc~
ed to a common temperature; so when,
by means OF the press, the people OF diff
ferent States and countries are brought
into communication, they mutually exert
and receive influence and power; bonds
of sympathy are created between them,
and tendency toward common brother
hood is established II the dream Of the
poet shall ever be realized; il sectional
hate shall ever give place to fraternal
love; il national councils shall ever be
merged in parliament OF man." if
State lines shall ever be swallowed up 6y
" the federation OF the world" 1t will be
done by the influence OF the press more
than by any other power. To be con-
WINGED that you gentlemen are faithfully
performing your part Nt this grand work.
one has only to consider what YOU have
done and what you are still doing to al
lay the passions aud heal the dlscords
engendered by the war between the
States. think it would not be difficult
to show that the Kentucky press has
contributed more than that of any other
State IN the Union to Danish the curse of
sectionalism from our midst, and to cree
ate the good feeling which to. day exists
among the people in all parts of our
country. For this we honor you. We
hold in high esteem the man who, at the
risk OF losing the political friendship OF
many Of his admirers. remained true to
his duty as editOr>in-chitf of the leading
Kentucky journal. and calmly and dis
passiOnately pleaded for heart union be-
tween the North and the South We
estee m no less highly his brother editors
who so ably seconded his efforts to re-
store peace aud good will 10 our distract-
ed country.
But the press is not only promoter OF
unity and good ieeling-it is in many
ways the great power Of the world
Were it BETTING, l could sdluce many
examples of it's might. All men-from
the throned monarch to the humblest
peasant who does the royal bidding-all
men are either directly or Indirectly in
fluenced by it. True, its influence is ex-
erted silently and inyisibly, but it is
none Il less powerful on that account.
| The mightiest forces in the universe are
silent and invisible in their operations.
1t is a silent power that bursts the ice
band OF Winter ana gives us the warmth
aud bloom and veriure of the Spring
time. 1t is a silent power that bring,
forth from the grain which we bury in
the bosom of the earth first the blade
then the ear-aiter that the full corn in
the ear" 1t is a silent power that holds
the worlds in their appointed orbits anC
leads them in their majestic circuits
round the sun. And the press. working
silently like the great forces of nature
molds the opinions Of men, gives dIrec'
ton TO their actions, and guides the race
in its onward march through the ages
1t follows then, gentlemen. that the edl
torial position is one OF no small respon
sibility. 1t 10 your province to move il
the van Of the army OF progress, and lea'
your followers-the people, up TO tina
which is higher and better. IL is you
high mission to advance the common in
rrrests by advocating and enforcing tn,
right and by exposing and redressini
wrongs wherever found And as tn,
bold Sir Bedivere had need to close hi
eyeids lest the guns that giIttered on thu
hilt of Excalibur should blind his pur
pose and cause him to disobey the man
date of King Arthur, so you have meet
10 close your eyes to the cnrrupting intiu
ences that are thrown around YOU les
YOU be turned aside from your nobl
mission. You have given us evidence
that YOU are doing this, and we homo
YOU for it We are proud OF our Logans
who. true to the right at whatever cost
dare to face the wrath of legislative a.
semblies and denounce wrong-doing il
high places We delight to honor you
We welcome you to our city. and TO tn
representatives Of the press from our sis
ter States, whom we are glad to see wit
YOU, we extend welcome no less heart
than that which we extend to you. w
receive most cordially one and all of You
without regard to State lines or differ
ences OF political faith. Some one ha
said:
-In quarrels Of a slighter nature,
Mutton's u most successful mediator,
: and it shall be our endeavOr to provid
!. mutton OF such quality and quantity q
will cause all differences to be forgotten
and allow "mirth and music 10 SCUM
the dirge of care" We are glad tbs
you have come among us. and that "
have it in our power to extend to 20
, our hospitality.
An oriental poet sings:
"As the rose doth its fragrance impart
: To the basket in WHICH it is laid
Whether wrought Of pure gold or Of braid
So, receiving wise men in thy heart,
Thou shalt lind when their persons dePs
That their wisdom behisd them hal
A stayed"
I We. gentlemen, most gladly receive 20
INTO our homes and into our hearts, an
, We doub. Tot that, when you go henc
YOU will leave US wiser and better becauI
J of your stay with us.
.