The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1881-10-01

of themselves and the State. Let us then cher
ish the hope that the name Of every country
editor in the State VIII appear upon our ron
when We meet in March next at Alexandria.
CITY editors are supposed 10 possess the happy
faculty of taking care of themselves At least,
they claim that right.
And now appears the most pleasing part of
INV picture; Il adcrns and embellishes the whole;
n is the participation of woman in our delibera-
tions. How shall compliment the Association
on this giant acquisition to its strength Need
I say that her life-instilling presence Is act
ing noble and glorious part in the press OF our
States The subject needs no illustration; 1t
speaks for itself in better language than can
utter She has actually penetrated the sanctum
of the press and has become power IN the Land.
She has learned TO deal ont even-handcd Justice
alike TO saint and sinner; she lashes the wicked,
praises tho virtuous and manly, upholds the
meek and suffering and is ever ready to sustain
the unfortunate and distressed. Probably ma
ture never intended her for the sanctum; but
she is In and she adorns It, Now get her Out, u
you can Better he had never been Doln VINO at
fempts IL, Either as a contributor to the press
or as member of the editorial staff she Is rap
idly winning her way to an eminenee that the
world little dreamed of a decade or two ago,
and your Censor believes that he hazards moth
ing 10 saying that the time is rapidly approaching
whom she VIII be the peer Of man In al that
concerns the welfare of the State. BE would
cheerfully eulogize her many claims to public
recognition In other ways bur a voice cries,
hold r 1t is the warning voice OF our better
Al present our active list of lady members is
small. but claim the right to hope that by the
next annual meeting of tho Association our rol!
win be heavily increased, hope know shared
in by all present The name appearing first
the aS s Of b S 10 az
extensive circle of sdmiring readers as Gather
ma Cole" Today she 10 In Europe on trip for
the benefit of her health, or she would assuredly
be with Is An will cordially Join me In wishing
Ava d. Hildenbrand, next challenges my admi
ration for energy, high spirit and writer to be
admired. She edits her own paper mainly, and
wields a sarcastic pen whenever she deems It
necessary TO lash an unpublished community into
sprightiv Mrs. Ella Bentley adds lustre to our
circle. Her witty pen 10 feared by many but
admired by all. Like Goldsmith, she adorns all
she touches. Her talent il conceded and We
hail her accession to our strength with no little
pride. And although mention last Miss Bessie
Smsilwood. IL is because follow the order of
membershlp. This lady, sister of Mrs. Field,
has made bright mark In the newspaper world
of our State and partakes equally with her
gifted sister in winning. golden opinions from
Cherished members, and tho acknowledgement is
due TO the lady's worth and excellence. May
she long remain with u.s.
And now having discharged my duty as Cen
sor Of the Association 10 the best of my poor
abjlity-and as understand it'll bring my
iabors to a close. A few parting words to my
Young friends of the press, may not fan upon
barren ground: The press is a fearful power in
the land when properly exercised. Always re-
member that independence Is the only solid
foundation of a free press Under all circum,
stances maintain your freedom of thought and
action. Let tho public seek You. not you the
public. A trucking. sycophantic press Is a dis
grace TO the community in which 1t exists--it IL
q byword and reproach wherever tolerated.
Avoid IL In all cases and under all circumstances.
ALWAYS demand and insist upon cash basis for
ali foreign patronage and observe that your pub.
lished rates are rigidly adhered TO. Make no
exceptions 10 this rule. Publish the names Of
those who deceive you that others may profit by
your experience. Hold your parish officials to
strict accountability for work ordered by them,
eitber through the courts or other channels.
Maintain the most cordial relations with your
brethren Of the press and never allow your tenn
per to get the better Of your Judgment when en-
raQed In controversy with q contemporary, and
last, though not least, keep up your courage
under all circumstances and you VIII WIN In
the end. d. .. HxAMS.
On motion Of Gen. Jastremski the address was
received and tho thanks of the Association ten
dered Mr. Hyams.
ORATORS AppREs5.
ExGoy. r. C. Wicklife, who had been desig-
mated az the Orator Of tho occasion, not being
present, Col X. A. Cross, alternate orator, was
called to the stand and delivered the following
eloquent address:
imposed ON me of bidding you welcome to our
Highland city, on the occasion OF your third re-
union In the discharge of this duty am simply
the organ for the expression Of the warm interest
your assembling excites among our people. Bat.
on Rouge has high conception OF the value Of
the friendship of tho press, since she has felt its
force in critical emergencies In her career. She
owes 10 your prefence the distinction she now
enjoys as tho restored capital Of Louisiana, and
she has seen continually the indications OF your
peafed friendly references to her growing
prosperity. 1t ie only natural, therefore, that
she should open her gates to the representatives
ofthe press not with lip service merely, but with
the bestowal Of her most cordial hospitahties;
Your assembling here to-day has all the sig
nificsnce of an auspicious augury. The divorce
of the law-making power from Baton Rouge was
accomplished by CGearen violence and now
that our Penatas have been restored to their
rightful seat, 1t is appropriate IN the order Of
ion should be here among these memorials Of our
olden prestige, to revive their sentiments Of con-
cord and fellowship, and to establish together q
liberal and public-spirited policy.
Ino saying u trlte toat Inc pen ~ uu&uLct
than the sword, and that the Press Is mort
powerful than tho instruments of brutal coer
cion but with all our natural predictions IN
favor of our profession and with all our dispos
ition to magnify our Office doubt that the frns
relations Of the press to the progressive devel
opment of society are always thoroughly and
adequately appreciated.
Tie fact Is that In the last quarter Of centu
nv profound revolution has been wrought In thu
instrumentalities which direct public thought II
the beginning Of this period the concert OF pub
lie feeling was established and united public
action was directed mainly by oral discussion
The magnetic eloquenoe OF the orator was uset
to influence tho public mind and great popular
movements were begun at the hastings. Blu
now tho newspaper has usurped in great meas
ure the province of the speaker.
No department of thought is reserved ground
excludcd from the occupancy Of the reporte
and the editor. The wall of partition between
the sacred and tho .profane has been broker
down, and every topic of secular and Of sectari
an interest has been opened to the inquisition o
the argus-eyed newspaper.
This change in the function Of the Press hal
been accompanied by corresponding augmen
tation of inhuence and responsibility. The tim
has passed by when the newspaper Is looked Of
az the eubservent representative Of some politica
aspirant, expressing his thoughts and promoting
his personal ambitions. By a general concurrence
Of sentiment with the editorial profession ant
the people the Press has been lifted indeed Il
the dignity of fourth estate in the realm
with tie own independent functions to pei
form and with its own direct respOnsibilitie