The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1890-08-07

Landmark" Responds to the Above
! Toast at the Banquet Given Compli.
! mentary to the Press Association al
the Hotel Claiborne. Durham, July
24th.
You know the lecturer who had for
his subject, "Snakes in Ireland" ex.
hausted it in the six words: "There
are no snakes in Ireland" 1t is not
given to me to escape SO lightly, for
though there be no snakes in Ireland
! there be joys and sorrows in the cup
editorial in Iredell.
The assignment to me of the subject
in hand, l take to he a compliment to
my capacity for condensation, for to
be sure the oil in the cruise would run
out with the patience Of my hearers
should l undertake to tell all that l
and my fellow-bondsmen know of
"The Joys and Sorrows of the Coun-
try Editor" especially the latter; and
moreover, what is now comedy might
become tragedy, as in the case Of the
Roman Emperor who dwelt with
such power upon the SORROWS of life
that many of his hearers went out and
destroyed themselves.
With reference to the joys which
brighten the life of the rural journalist,
there are certain popular misapprehen-
sions which | am glad to have this op-
portunity to correct. To be able to
"jeff" the printers Saturday evening
out of a weeks wages, is one peculiarly
his own, but in the main his joys are
not different from those of other men.
10 open a letter which he feels in his
bones contains dun, and to find a
postal note from a subscriber who is
three years in arrears, awakens sem
sation which can be compared to moth
ing except the stern joy with which he
halls the appearance of a load of fuel
brought in by wood subscriber when
the snow is falling and the printers are
setting type by fire made of bound
volumes of the CongyessionaI Record.
Yet other men have found agreeable
surprises in the mail and others have
been cold (though not this summer)
and have been warmed again.
AS the strong man rejoices in his
so does the country editor in
his influence. l, even l, have the
power Of control over men. No longer
ago than last Saturday afternoon at
tended a primary. There were four
men in it who waited to see how l |
voted and then they went and voted
the other way. l have in time taken |
my public opinion moulder from be-
hind my ear and advocated the claims
of certain man to Office and carried |
every township in the county against
him. In all the range Of my acquaint-
ance l do not know of but one other
man who, believe could beat this
record. He is a country editor, too.
In ancient Greece an Athenian gen.
eral said the victories of his rival would
not permit him to sleep. I leave this
branch of my subject lest l arouse the
jealousy of my brethren.
And must condense. There is Joy
in the heart of the country editor when,
after the church festival, the ladies
come around and ask tor his bill:
when the commencement season is
over when he is told of the death of
he man who comes up and reads his
exchanges to him.
But as suggested by my subject, and
admitted at the outset, he has his sor-
'ows, too. There are times when the
is burden. The first
cotton bloom and the first cotton boil,
he egg with the crooked neck and the
nan with the first strawberry of the
eason, demand elaborate notice; the
chickens with four legs and a double
,ack, and the calf with three legs and
IN eye in the top Of its head, clamor
or recognition. The advertising agent
Who wants top OF column on the local
age, with reading matter on both
ides and followed by reading, and
wants it at half-price less IS per cent.
,ars the editors way to a strictly re-
igious life. The subscriber sometimes
'aits on him with hickory stick and
he sheriff is not always gracious.
But the bitterness Of these memories
ade under the influence of Durham's
rood cheer and in the ronpanv oft
ach other and OF Durham's charming
,eople.
Now gravely, my country brethren,
admonish you to magnify your joys
nd minimize your sorrows, and to re-
lie the dignity Of your calling. You
ave mission peculiarly your own
nd minister to people who weigh
our words. There was never a time
,hen your responsibilities to society
'ere greater or when it was more nee
ssary for Us to be steadfast, immova-
lie. At this period, when, as it would
.em, social revolution is upon Us,
hen prejudice is about being en-
moned in the seat of reason, COM
,end to you the words Of Seneca's
ilot: 90 Neptune! you may save me
you will you may sink me if you
ill; but whatever happens, shall ]
eep my rudder true
Half of a mans life is spent in find
,O ont wha hie friooJc aro Da;dcy y;lIn | 4