The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-06-10
lard from the President OF the Western
Wrftar<, Assorfatsnu

Card from tho President OF the Western
Writers Association.
To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
VIII You kindly permit mo to correct mis-
understanding relative to the feeling of the
members Of the Western Writers' Association
toward the city of indianapolis This misap-
prshension has evidently grown out Of some re-
marks made By Mr.. Dawson aud other Indian
members from other States and from other
parts Of our own State. would think themselves
ignored by the Indianapolis public.
So far from rejecting the feeling of the as
ISOLATION, the expression Of this fear BY
tho Indianapolis members was . source
OF regret to nearly every member
Of the association outside of the city Of Indian
spos. II know anything of their feelings
they are Of the most kindly nature toward the
people OF Indianapolis, and especially toward
the newspapers of the city and those who are
connected vith them. Let who may have rnis-
represented or unsupported the proceedings Of
the association. We all know that the Indianap.
oils papers have not Intentionally done so nc any
time. The members are not simpletons They
know that much Of their proceedings which
have been necessary and Interesting TO them
selves. have been, comparatively speaking, dull
to many sxcsllsnt people. and. to a certain de-
association doe. %. seek ' to smuse the
public and cater to the popular
taste further than may be consistens with its
higher and better purposes. Willis the attend
ance OF Indianapolis people at the sessions
would have been gladly welcomed, no one was
so foolish ~ to imagine that our meetings have
greater claims upon their time and attention
than do the meetings of the scores Of other
sociations which hold their sessions &C lndiansp-
oils The members have no sort of notion that
IN tn ant
wisdom, or intelligence, and certainly do not
expect any foolish or childish coddline or fat
terry, either from the general public of Iud;anap
oils or any other place. The purposes OF the as
ISOLATION are to foster careful thought among
its members and others who may be inter
ested in any phase OF worthy literary effort;
not to encourage more writing. but better writ
ing; not TO advertise its members the actors
in an annual show. but to find out and encourage
worthy effort and most Of all, to emphasize the
need Of careful. honest conscientious work in
all that the writer undertakes. Then there il
the very needful and very pleasant feature Of
enlarged mountaineering and frienly interest
amongst those who write. Surely these are oil
citation. ana in even their partial fulfllment
the members find the pleasure and profit OF
their meetings The purpose TO meet at some
lakeside, or in some cool country place, next
year, did DOT arise from any thought, in the
minds of the members. prejudicial to
tho good people Of Indianapolis, but
from the very same reasons that prompt
our editorial aud religious associations to do
the same thing. viz, the desire to combine rest
and recreation with the more serious work Of
the association. have felt that this statement
IL due from me in justice to the association and
its members. that the citizens of Indianapolis
may not be led to consider them as q body OF
conceited and vainglorious pries who anticipate
any other recognition than such they may
earn by conscientious devotion and industry;
and am sure that neither Mr.. Dawson nor any
other member OF the association intended TO
place 1t In the attitude OF . Pathfinder or to
convey the idea that its members are disap
pointed and sore because they imagine that their
efforts are not properly appreciated No such
feeling exists. BENZ. S. PARKER
NEW CASTLE, Ind. June 3.