The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1890-08-07
THE n. C. PRESS CONVENTION.
ANNUAL ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT
w. W. McDAIRMlD.

THE n. l.. PRESS CONVENTION.
ANNUAL ADDRESS OF PRESIDEN'
w. W. McDAIRMlD.
The Editor of the "Lumberton Robe
sOnian" Reads a Practical Pane
Before the Brethren.
Brethren Of the No,M Carolina Pres
association, Ladies ami Gentlemen
1t affords me very great pleasure t,
greet SO many Of my brethren on thi
| occasion.
Coming, as you do, from the Norti
and the South, the East and the West
Of our grand old commonwealth, it i
pleasant for us to meet as a common
brotherhood near the centre of tn,
State.
1t is pleasant for us who give Sc
much of our time and means to the
promotion Of every laudable enterprise
to assemble in this, probably our mos,
enterprising and progressive city. l,
IS pleasant for us, as philanthropist
on a commensurate scale, to meet in
this city, which is the home of the
most noted philanthropists in North
Carolina, or in our beloved Southland.
1t is pleasant for US, whose province it
is to educate the masses, to assemble
in this city, which is fast becoming one
OF the chief educational centers in the
State. But especially is it pleasant for
us, after a year of incessant toll, pri-
vatlon and hardships-after year of
discussion of the various subjects which
concern our different conditions and
localities, discussions which may not
always have been pleasant, to meet
here where ne can smoke the pipe in
peace" filled with the world renowned
" Durham Smoking Tobacco" and
realize, by union and communion with
our brethren, that they are not neces-
sarlly inferior to us in any essentinl
particular, because they happen to diff
fer with us as to the policy to be pur-
sued in the discussion of economic
questions and to determine that,
henceforth, whatever discussions we
may have, that every blow shall be
aimed above the belt.
We meet to-day under the most
auspicious circumstances. The prompt
ness with which the various railroad
and steamboat lines responded to the
application for transportation, and the
unique hospitality which greets us here,
are probably the highest compliments
to our service to the State that could
be given. ..-..
10 our profession, the past year has
been one of success and prosperity, un-
precedented in the history Of this AS
sociation.
"The Grim Monster," who is "no
rcspecter of persons" has severed but
few ties, while dame Fortune seems to
have been unusually prodigal in her
bestowments. Acrimony and bitter
ness, petty rivalries, jealousies, which,
in times past, may have done much to
degrade our noble calling, have been
conspicuous only for their absence; for
which let US devoutly "thank God and
take courage" Let us have done
with them ; they are disgrace to any
profession. In the language of Moses
to the Hebrew "Why smitest thou
thy tellow?''
If ever in the past our career has
been characterized by less loyalty to
our brethren, or less devotion to the
noblest interests of our high calling if
we have been less inclined to promote
all the interests and virtues of our
brethren than to lay bare all their
faults and foibles: We say, if, in these
matters, we have been laggards among
the other professions, let us wipe out
his reproach. Let us be true to our.
selves, to each other, and to our God !; |
md may our lives, henceforth, be ex-
by that love" which "work-
,th no ill to his neighbor."
Brethren, modern journalism is moth
ng if not practical; SO that you must
:eally pardon me, if, in what l shall
1ave to say on this occasion, there
should be no attempt to charm you
With eloquence others will do that.
When | stated a moment ago that
6 dame Fortune" had been unusually
this year, | fancied that saw
he ironic smile upon your counte.
lance, but it is, nevertheless, a fact.
t would be interesting, as we'll as in
tructive, to know the number of old
land presses which have left their ac-
:ustomed places in the Offices of this
state, relicts Of past age, whose
ubdued and Indifferent print has for
ver given place to the glossy and at
ractlve power press print. The num-
'er of old papers which have been en-
arged and improved, and the number
# new ones which have been estab-
ashed, all bear testimony, to a greater
II less degree of prosperity.
The reform in the character and
'asis of our representation, which was
a few years ago, is having
he desired effect, and has inspired
onfidence in our aims and determina-
ions. Let the line of demarkation be |;
Oddly and rigidly defined, until our
association shall have become, in deed
nd in truth, an Association Of earn
st, practical newspaper publishers.
mother unmistakable evidence of the
lct that We are learning to place a
roper estimate upon our business, is
,und in the limited number OF for
ign advertisers who have gained ad-
lission into our coulmns during the
asst year. 1t gives me especial pleas
re to note this. Let us stick to our
dvertising rates. and fill our DaDers ,