The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1889-08-08

State WELD as great or as wholesome
an influence as these iortyone hard
working, progressive, intelligent men,
most of whom are young and just be-
ginning their life-work. The conven-
ton was called to order in the chapel
of Davenport Female College Wednes-
day morning by President Thad X.
Manning, editor of the Henderson
GoLp LEAF, vino read his address to
the assembled editors and citizens of
Lenoir 1t was an admirable address
and reflected great credt on the Pres
ident. it touched upon the questions
of greatest interest to editors, and was
full of wise Suggestions which were
afterwards considered by the conven-
ton.
| On Wednesday night Mr.. Vernon
w. Long, the chosen orator, delivered
his oratiop. His subject was Why
young men leave North Carolina, and
plea for higher education" His
Grafton was the production of a
thoughtful mind and his composition
| was ia we'll of English undehied. =
He delivered slh,e sshe Grafton with elo-
quence and grace, and il me did not
have the fire of the orator he pleased
his hearers by his clear delivery, per-
feet enunciation, and pleasing style.
He is one. of the brightest lights in
North Carolina journalism and it graf
flied me to hear the many deserved
compliments paid his oratien.
Thursday was a day of much inter
est. Various topics of great interest
( were discussed. Among them was the
question: What is the duty of an edi
tor in regard to the publication of
matters scandalous or in themselves
impure? Mr.. D F. St. Clair, of the
Sanford Express, opened the discus
sion and took the ground that an edi-
tor could not ignore news, and that if
justice required the people to know it,
he must print impure matter such as
the Grlssom trial. He said that NEWS
was to-day the chief thing the people
wanted and that the newspaper had to
furnlshit. Hespoke against "nas ness
for its own sake and sensationalism for
its sake, but for Justice above all. Mr..
]. d. Kernodle maintained that a
newspaper ought not to print anything
unfit to be read in a family circle, and
he made plea for total exclusion of
all impure matter and all sensational
ism. There were other remarks upon
this question which | take to be the
most important one that editors can
consider. How to solve it has long
been a problem to me. | believe in a
clean newspaper, but above that be-
lieve in an honest newspaper. AS
have before said in the Chronicle, |
think that sometimes it is necessary to
publish impure matter such as the evil
dence in the Grissom investigation SO
that the whole people may form cor
rect verdict. Justice is above the pro-
prieties.
The Influence of the Press in Sc
curing immigration was discussed by
Mr.. L. B. Eldridge, editor of the Lex
ington Dispatch, and Mr.. w. E. Chris
tian, of the Charlotte Democrat Mr..
: Eldridge spoke of the drawbacks and
partial failures, but urged continued
effort. Mr.. Christians speech was the
t gem of the convention. Racy, spark
, ling, bright, witty, it captivated and
, convulsed all who heard it. | knew
, from his editorials that he was man
of ability, but | did not think he was
, SO brainy or SO versatile as his speech
f evidenced. | rejoice that the mantle
of the venerable Yates has fallen upon
the shoulders Of so accomplished a
r gentleman. Mr.. Christian, by the
S way, is a native of Raleigh. Hi:
father is prominent Methodist
preacher who was President of what j:
now Peace Institute (then Raleigh
2 Female Seminary when Mr.. Christian
: was born. His wife is the daughter o
= the great Southern leader, Stonewal
r Jackson.
The subject of Advertising and Ad
a vertislng Agents was discussed by sew
E eral editors. Mr. Robt. Haydn, the
: bright and successful editor of tht
a Charlotte Chronicle, opened the dis
n cussion i'll strong argument IN iavo
/ OF business methods in The conduct 0
# newspaper. His words were wist
: and weigh;y and impressed the con
5 yenton He was one Of the leadin.
! spirits on the iloor anal woi the admi
/ ration OF the members al TINS first con
t venton He was i,,Ilpwed by The Wis
G editor If the Si.,:cs:ll.c LaaaWa,k
:, Mr.. !. =. Caldwell, whu spoke word
: Of truth and soberness. Whatever II,
z says in regard to newspapers Is worll
t hearing. His almost unprecesiente,
II success gives his utteranccs grea
l. weight. He makes a paper not sur
D passed in North Carolina and he is a
h clever 4 man as he is an accomplished
e editor. The convention delighted I.
e honor him. Ihad r. Manning, Esq.
/: &. {. Daniels, Esq, and others iol
d lowed on this topic.