The Aberdeen examiner. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1866-current, 1883-07-12
ADDRESS OF WELCOME.


The following is the Address of Wei
come delivered before the State Press
Association, by that gifted lady and
writer, Mrs. NOBLE MCGEE SMELL, at
Concert Hall, Columbus, on Wednesday
night, the 4th, inst
Tonight am here. Sir Knights of the Quill.
10 speak for our people their earnest goodwill
70 welcome you Us Il brave body OF men
who wield for our State the good of your pen.
Like those pcarly gates that swing open above,
me gates of Our city, to those whom We love,
Ever open to greet the friends who draw near,
10 bid them all hail and to otIergood cheer.
lis said that the welcome which Southern hearts
give,
In the annals of nations shall ever more live,
So hearty. so kind, 50 generous SO true
Ana Sllcll Is the welcome we now prOfer you,
The Press of our State is guardian bold
VINO directs to Ollr homes the channels of geld,
who looks from the tower into the deep sky.
And reads for our good the stars that drift by,
All praise to the Press No sword hath the skill
To rival the good of a well goyemedNuiil.
The protector OF right the reyenger OF wrong,
What influence vast to its writings belOng2
All praise to the Press throughout every age
| 1t records every truth on Hstory's page
Which the layer of years can necr blot away,
We welcome the coming Of each daily sheet,
Like wind they can fly on wings that are fleet,
Ielliug the tales of sorrow and mrth
Messengers they all over the earth.
Reporting each death, each new marriage tie,
Whether markets are dun whether cotton is high
What Congress is doing, what the Senate has
done,
And even keeps up with the spots on the sun.
Tells the curious ones who admire the great,
The minlltrst acts of the officials of State
Whether another can sleep, if he drinks tea or
wine
And who Mrs, Crusus to dine.
When items grow Shorthand the columns of space
Are NaWnng for more, why each vacant place,
Is tlllcd with the lcVtcS or some tariH bill,
That can stretch out at It's length at the editors
Will.
Yes the Press is all this. Yea, could not 20 DER
The Wonderful list OF its magical lore.
We might live and be happy Without sauce made
of CapcrS,
But where Is the man who could live without
papers ?
And so we would welcome your coming tonight
| With every expression of joy and delight,
We feel that among us are bards taking down,
Rare features in ink of our beautiful town.
You will note for yourself each neatly kept street
The vistaS of shade, the flowers sweet,
| How nature has blessed us with loyelness rare,
| liOW climate has gwen It's bdlnlcSt air,
| How health here has found a lasting retreat.
And beams from the face You every where meet
We love our fair city not for its grandeur or art
| But because it is home, where each human heart
| Finds friends who are true. who turn not away
Ii the cloud should DER shadow the light OF to-day
| Our men are as brave as the true Knights Of old
Our women have hearts that are better hangOld,
our laSsics are sweet rs the roses OF May
That blossom and brighten our practical way.
Our boys are at work no droncs in the hive
| No Dudes yuull meet ON the walk or the drive,
| But young men. who feel that to labor is right
| That with it alone, they can make their name
bright.
| Possessing all this kind sirs could You blame
| II Columbus is proud Of her record md ugmr
| with past all uns tanned by bitter regret,
And future that tells Of still better hing yet.
| We will turn for our aid to the powerful Press,
| This thought adds gltam to the draught We
| would sip
TO your health Of the cup we're passing our lip,
| 1t lends Il new warmth to the welcome We give
| And makes us all say, May our Southern Press
live
A blessing to all, II kind, Watchful friend,
| As lasting as truth and true to the end"