The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-05-20
Address of Welcome TO the Press.
By Mss Ida Duncan, al Water Valley, o.
TknrslaY Mont. Hay -, 1885.


Distinguished and Houored Member. CT the Press
Association Of Mississippi:
The power that rules our destinies has
once more effected junction in the course
OF your eventful lives. And the import
anee OF this occasion must be estimateds1
not only by the cause You here represent,
but more especially By the fact that this
point marks the twentieth anniversary OF 1
the birth OF your institution.
This is indeed a momentous epoch, the /
dawning Of new era. Twenty years ago ]
your organization was in its infancy, now |
it appears before me in all the dignity, and |
strength and vigor OF its manhood, WELD I
ing an influence over our nation not |
equaled By any other power.
Public interest and unity of purpose has
assembled you here from all parts OF this I
grand old commonwealth. TO one high
and noble calling you have devoted your
lives, and one common cause Is dear 10
your every heart.
For the first time in her history has our
humble city been honored by your pres
ence in an official capacity. Perhaps
never before was there assembled here such
/ a mass and variety of intellect and culture.
/ This fraternity is a representation OF the
! Gterati of the reading world. You are the
I
/ this State. Here are represented all classes
OF writers the historian, the novelist the
| dramatist, and the poet, from whose gifted
pens flow thousand perennial streams OF
intelligence and eruditioD, into every
family in our State. Every week ten
thousand homes eagerly wait the welcome
missives still moist from the sharp teeth OF
| the press, filled with freshest news, and
laden with regal, rich and racy Tor the
mind and heart. Every journal you con-
tribute to the public is a feast OF reason
and flow of soul
Your calling is high. noble, and honor
able, and your labors, if faithfully perform
ed, are conducive 10 the best Interests oil
our race. The political and moral eduea-
ton OF our citizens depend largely upon
the press. To every freeman's heart your
cause is dear, and every lover of truth and
right extends to you helping hand
To promote the interests OF this great
cause. YOU are here assembled. And upon
me has been conferred the high honor Of
: extending to you, in the name of the cltI
I zens of Water Valley, a most cordial vel
J come. In uttering these words only re
e echo the strongest sentiments OF every sou
in our town.
All hearts are beating in unison, and on'
5 feeling prevades every bosom. Other cite
1 in which you have assembled may hav'
+ been able to receive you with greater POM
and outward display, but nowhere hav'
o YOU been met with more hearty recep
d ton Ii our citizens are not wealthy, the,
are warm hearted and true. Ii the recep
I ton we give is not grand, it is with arm
4 more widely extended. You are welcome
i to the very best we can give you. Wei
5, come to our homes. Welcome to our hos
: FATALITIES And thrice welcome to all tina
l. we can do to make your stay in our cit
: comfortable and pleasant.
g You have met in our legislative hall
whose presence alone spoke with eloquenc
4 more sublime than we can command. 70
d, have convened beneath the towerin
ID heights OF literary institutions from who's
Is very walls YOU could absorb classic lore
Or yoa may have met where kind natur
" had bestowed her beauties and riches wit
8 more lavish hand. We boast of non
:. of these. But while our city may not
lie beautiful for situation, nor pleasing to tn
eve, and while symmetrical form and al
De chitectural beauty may be wanting, yet "
n have whereof to speak with pride. If
was an honor to be citizen OF the eve
m living city of Rome, built upon her seve
e hills, much more Is it an honor now eve
ld TO visit our delightful and thriving cit
to with her more than twice told seven hill
ornamented and crowned with delightfl
e. homes. whose hospitable doors now swirl
IN open ride to welcome this worthy an
Ms State honored Association. These Hills a,
D. only silent witnesses of the frugality ar
a prosperity of our city which nestles {
nd their bosoms and adorns their brow
With the immortal Tell we can proudly So
that we love the very hills where our spo
lst tive childhood days were spent, and whe
cd freedom rings from eve mountain side.
tn But we have more than these, our indu
as try and trade are not surpassed by al
IL town of its size in the State The gigant
mt engines and other rolling stock whlC
by equip our thoroughfare show bur raj
er- road interests The whir of thousands
by dizzy spindles, tn hiss of the molten iro
re the din of the workshop, the ring OF Il
es, anvil indicate our progress in manutact
OF ries But more important than all, al
let that which lies nearest to our hearts, Is Of
school, The pride of our city and an no
* or to our State. But We refrain.
ess Again we say you are welcome. Al
ful we say so the more heartily when we fe
100 that the destiny of our whole nation is
ed "A great extent ruled by the press. The r
on YIELDS more powerful influence than t
sword. For two and halt centuries, t
he press has been the medium through WIFI
Nv all the great pOlltlcaI ana hdtlohdl ana
he have reached their proper adjustment
ay, Its power is now greater and more univt
he sal than ever. You can do much to pl
serve and promote the prosperity al
ey, peace of our beloved land. You can
he much to steer Alright our grand old ship
at, state. If you remain faithful to 20
M trust we need not fear intestine wars a
disasters.
the 1t is the desire of this city that here
Its, the twentieth anniversary of your orgal
red cation you may receive a fresh impulse
red move forward and upward in your gre
work We trust that your visit to our C
the and to our homes viii be such as to lea
en- many fond recollections of happy days a
the kind friends. Through your labor a
influence may peace and harmony rel
at supreme throughout our entire State. M
ent the soft, balmy breeze from the south, lad
lrs with richest perfume be to us the enbl'
ses of the peace and harmony that pervat
and our government. May the mighty fail
raj of waters in the west, as he rolls in maj
tic power and splendor be the symbol
ley our strength and greatness. And N
,ess Gathering cars, as they dash through {
rec forests and glide over our lonely plains,
'ess, the emblem of our growth and progr'
av- until Mississippi, the State of our nativi
leir our mother and our home, shall come 70
Ocl- grand ana glorious into the front rank
this mighty Renuhlip