The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-08-27

JNTST timent expressed
~T|(EV in ;he above cap
-s~~kTEH ton, "The Press.
81 M the Leader of
Thought, not theFollower Of Fac
tion." Responded to by Capt. S. A..
Ashe, Raleigh News ami Observer,
who said:
There is this difference, Mr.. President,
between the members of the Press of
North Carolina and the business men
and bankers. The latter class, gen.
tlemen, look sharply after their in
terest in order to maintain their prin-
ciple intact, while the editors of North
Carolina have to maintain their pr;n-
ciples without any regard to their IL
;erest and to the sacrifice of pecuniary
interests. Under such circumstances,
it is only natural that they should
seek solace in the thought that they
are the leaders of thought, not the
followers of faction.
Mr.. President, the people whom the
Press OF North Carolina addresses, is
generally an intelligent people. They
are people who think tor themselves,
who come to conclusions themselves
and who have judgment and measure
things according to their standard of
right and justice. Under such circum-
stances the editor who attempts to
shape public thought may find him
self mistaken. The Press can only
lead public thought when it is on a
line with the great fundamental prin-
ciples which are in the hearts of the
people. Sometimes they strike it
right, they take it at the food which
leads on to fortune. Such for instance
in the New Orleans affair. The Press
spoke in no uncertain sounds and led
the thoughts of the people, and when
some years since a Federal officer
marched into the Legislative Assembly
Halls and worked his will there, the
Press of the nation with one voice and
with one accord gave forth no uncertain
sound. II. was like the fire bell al
night, and had its effect in leading
the thoughts of the American people
The Press may not always lead; ii
can at least attempt 20 lead. 1t can
not always be successful, but it car
at least deserve to be successful anC
the people expect this of the Press
and the people look to the Press tc
perform this duty, this public duty
as it were. We regard the Press O
| North Carolina in manner as the
High Priest of old, as Elisha anC
Elijah in the olden times, who, when
the people of Isarel as was their won
forsook the God Of their fathers ane
turned away to strange Gods. Thes'
High Priests warned them of the evi
to come, and thus the people expec
the Press to perform the same func
tions as were performed by these High
Priests in days that are past. 10 ac'
complish these duties the editor shoule
never fall away and forsake his prin
ciples. The politician may do SO
they are seeking to ride on the wave
of public opinion but the returning
ebb will certainly carry him int
obscurity. The private individual ma,
forsake his principles, but the life O
the editor stands always in the broae
glare of sunlight. In the utmost pub
licity of his actions he cannot forsake
his principles without desecration.
He may console himself, indeed, il
the fable from that ancient book il
which the trees wished to choose ;
King. They went to the olive tre'
and asked the olive to be King, bu
the olive said, shall we forsake ou
fatness and 60 to rule over the trees
Then they went to the fig tree ane
asked the fig tree to be their King
and the fig tree said, shall we forsak'
our sweetness to go to be promoted
over the trees7 And they went to th'
vine and asked it to be King owe
the trees, but the vine said, shall WI
forsake the wine that cherishes mar
and go to be promoted over tine trees
All denying the invitation, it was let
to the bramble to accept it. Thu
High Priests must trust to inspire thei
patriotism. 1t must seek the welfare
of the people. .
In ancient Rome they erected a tenn
pie to the Goddess of the Hearth ane
there the Priestess proposed a brigh
means that all the homes of th'
Roman people might be free from al
evils and all corruption. So now thi
duty of protecting the homes OF th'
people has been entrusted to th'
Press.
Keep burning brightly the vesta
fires of their patriotism. They mus
uphold the character of the press
never detract from it. There will b'
trials. There will come times whel
temptation may Try them. Dema
gosues will rise in the land and pref
udice will be ripe. The demogogu'
NAV prejudice the people, yet tn
Press must ever follow in the footsteps
of those illustrious men whose aim
have been to promote the welfare an'
prosperity of the people; they mus
walk always in the foot steps OF those
great exemplars of the human race
scrofula cured. even in its worst forms rs
| nd strong