Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-06-21

Newport Ii. e. johnson and wife. of Yer.
GENES; A. A. Earle and wife. of Morris.
vile; Henry Clark. of Rutland; G. G
Benedict, wife and daughter. of Burling'
ton Mrs. Julia c. X. Dorr, of Rutland,
the poetess OF the occasion and her son
Mr.. Harry R. Dorr; Mr.. o. NJ. Tinkham
of North Pomsret; Mr.. V. c. Meyerhoffsr.
of Rutland. and IL. NJ. Mott and wife and
Mr.. D. c. Hackett, of Brandon. The an
nual meeting was called to order by Presi-
dent Walton, in tho parlors of the Brandon
House. and the record of the last meeting
was read by Recording Secretary Petten-
gill.
The following gentlemen were elected
members of the Association: o. NJ. Tink-
ham, Pomfret, E. r. Poland, Montpelier
EsbeIt G. futile, Fred G. futile, V. c.
Meyerhofer, Rutland: D. G. Hsckett,
Brandon W. A. Nc Arthur, Ludlow Hon.
Barnes Frisbie, Poultney. George A. Tut
tie, ESD, of Rutland, was elected an hon
orary member.
Ga motion of s. b. Pettengill the follow
ing committee was appointed to revise the
roll and to report amendments to the COZ
stitution and bylaws, to be considered at
the next annual meeting, s. B. Pettingill,
G. q. Benedict.L o. Greene.
The following were elected officers for the
year ensuing:
Enthusiastically. NJ. Camp, V. T..
Meyerhoffer, A. Chandler.
Recording Secretary-E. r. Poland.
Corresponding Secretary-S. B. Petten-
gill.
Treasurer-C. NJ. Stone.
Executive Committee-G. G. Benedict,
A. Ii. Tuttlo, l.. U. Greene.
On motion. the selection of Orator and
Poet for the next annual meeting was re-
ferred to the Executive Committee.
On motion, it was voted that the next an
nual meeting be held in Rutland, at the call
of the Executive Committee.
THE LITERARY EXERCISES
Of the evening then took place. To hear
these, goodly numberiof ladies and gentle
men of Brandon came in by invitation, and
the parlors were filled with an intelligent
and attentive audience. The address was BIZ
d. NJ. Camp, Esq, of the Newport Express
and Standard. Mr.. Camp. after apologizing
for the haste with which he had been compel
led to prepare his discourse, delivered the fol-
lowing timely. practical and excellent ad
dress:
Mr.. CAMPS ADDRESS
Mr.. President, Brethren and LADIES:
think that we are forced to admit that the law
of compensation is pretty general and universal in
Its force and operation alike in nature in science
and in morals. The change OF seasons. the success
sion Of day and night heat and cold, storm and sun
shine, prove II . while IL 10 10 less noticeable in
those experiences OF pain and pleasure, of wear
mess and rest, of hope and dependency, of trust
and doubt, common to US all. In our moral lives,
too In the relations of right and wrong Of rewards
and punishments, its existence and power are
equally visible. and so in the unerrng balances of
our Master our lives are adjusted according to this
great plan. And vet with our finite minds 1t is
tremely difficult, If not impossible to understand
Just when and where and how the life Of the average
country editor is to be thus balanced.
We all knew something Of the toll, psrplexity,
unrest and anxiety that belongs to his lot; of the
criticism, the censure, the abuse to which he is
frequently subjected /; of his gratuitous unappre-
ciated service of his selfsacrcng devotion to the
public interest and occasionally of life yielded
up in defence OF principle. What is to compensate
for all this Where is the reward for such servcel
l would net in the lcsst undervalue the mOdicum of
legal tender which he may secure, with liberal
donations of premium pumpkins, fruit and eggs;
nor overlook the rare enjoyment that springs from
those frequent reyels amid effusons OF spring and
poetry. His life is not all shsdow and
gloom there bright spots along his path, GASES
by the way, in such annual reunions we now
joy, when caru and labor may though but for day,
be laid aside. and amid these pleasures OF earth,
air and social intercourse, rest, enjoyment. profit
may be secured. And yet We must admit that the
compensation, the prOportonste reward comes, If
II comes at all, from the consciousness of having
lahOred honestly Tor the improvement, the noblest
culture, the highest good of the masses Admitting
this true wisdom will prompt us TO the greatest ef-
fort and constant, perseverlns labor in the dlrec
tions named. that the compensation may be proper
large.
This leads US directly to the question can the
field of our labors and influence be enlarged, our
work ennobled and exalted, and our success in
creased That there is need of, and for great
Improvement all will readily admit, at least the
broad principle OF progress; but the methods by
which this may be accomplished are not so easily
determined, while the ready appliance Of methods,
when found, IS too frequently neglected or wholly
forgotten
In directing your thoughts to improvements in
do not intend a review Of the past.
Progress in the years and centuries gone has been
marked, indeed, but let others who possess that
taste eIhume the dead the live journalist has far
more to do with the living present and the grand
possibilities of the future. Nor would l conine
your thoughts to improvements in the mechicau-
al department of our work. These have been i'm
portant in the past and will continue to Increase
keeping pace with the with the march OF genius in
he ages to come. Good sense will ever seek for
md appropriate improvements in this direction
or he:better, the more attractive the vehicle |
through which printed thoughts are sent out
broadcast through the world the more readily will
hey be received and the more successful will be |
heir mission.
The higher and more important departments OF |
,ur work claim our attention. No artisan mat |
or what his specific trade or calling, should be sat
SIZED with imperfect inferior work, and the finer
he material the more marked and conspicuous are |
he mistakes. the ill-directed blows OF the work |
nan. Imperiections in design and hicks and scars
rom tools csrelessly handled, which are scarce
y distinguishable upon rough, imper-
ect surface of clay or granite, become pain
ully distinct upon polished marble or gold. You
ave seen the sensitive plant, and even when its
caves are the tiniest you have noticed low auicky
ney feel and shriyel at tho most delicate touch OF
be most delicate hand. And so Is the character,
specially Of childhood and youth; extremely SEN
live at first to any thing wrong. harsh cruel and
caring always the scars received through false
saching or improper example. Ii were we'll for us
pause and ask ourselves, What are our chisel-
lgs upon these pure. polished blocks all about
l would not assume censorship, nor attempt in the
'ast to dictate, but simply allude in plain, prac
cal manner to some OF the faults and defects
Thich, in my Judgment, exist In tho journalism OF
he present day, and suggest some Improvements
hich observation and experience have brought to
ind.
Commencing at the foundation. then, we need to
more fully the nature and extent of our
nuence. need not tell You that the influence OF
10 newspaper In forming the character Of individ-
ais and in giving tone and direction 10 public sen
ment, Is more extended and powerful than any
nd all other agencies combined reaching an al
citing q greater number of Intelligent beings than
lplt, schools and Bible together able TO |
ZACH. In very many families the local paper is
10 only reading found. 10 them IL is the compen-
um OF all useful knowledge, the guide In all
ings pertaining to the farm. shop, household and
irsery. Fathers and mothers quote 1t as the high
t authority on all disputed points; children come
love and reverence it, Who estimate its I
,wer in educating such minds, in developing and
rming character in such households Yet such Is
red to this class alone. Wherever 1t goes il L. :
reiuly perused not to say studied, by all classes
all conditions, and does leave its impress N
rming new thoughts, originating new ideas, L
rensthening Informed purposes creating new L
moulding character and directing pub
opinion. The printed sheet goes forth no il
rthly power can destroy much less estimate, its
uencc. The Press has truthfully been called the {
ever that moves the world" We all know this is a,
= TACT, and yet II We comprehended 1t all its y
arings and possibilities, at least so to con |
lntly remember it, how much that written
ud have remained forever unwrtten, even in q
ought Where rests our lever Are We helping u
roll the world up or down the plane of truth
IN order to perform most faithfully the work In n
ch engaged, secure the best results for | .
labor and the highest honor to the profession, u
need to understand and more fully appreciate :.
character of the material upon which we work,
means We employ, and the probabilities OF D
lure or success. We need to understand more
y the great responsibility of position. IN d.
standing this responsibility, shall have a T.
re perfect apprehension ., the natural qualiica-
Is and the proper preparation, the fitting, al
ary to most efficient work. ours olsht to he
sderet n profession equal at least to that OF Mt
=, medicine OF divinity, equally demanding HI
ptaton and proper training.
know of safe substitute for brains In pro hs
non. There is, am aware, a sO-cslled eJuiva-
that passes quite too currently among this
pie minded. 1t IS In common parlance termed he
eek. and was, We believe, originally imported ~
Vermont from the metropolitan press. We an
: have seen occasional specimens, and they 81
Q, no doubt, won our admiration and love. VI
qualification may he useful in a degree, but
10 pure state, highly developed and suhstitut-
tor brains it should hardly be considered the Or
ne qualification OF our ideal editor He should
he start, possess at least average amount WI
rains, the more the better, supplemented bv Sa
'qusl amount OF good common sense Both :,
10 should be strengthened ami developed by IN
tant study of the varied interests and wants ,
he public familiarity with current events, in'
the most careful search for the best spplica- of
Of all the means at his command, the best use
IL his latent iorcos, that the best possible re Dol
5 may be attained. lilo who uses finishing A.
should be an adept, no bungler, lest both 'u'
r