The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1893-07-25

II "
learning or skill or genius can atone
The journalist who pursues the evel
tenor of his way, Independent of al
factions and all politicians, will as Otter
: find himself on the side of the peopl,
, as he who sets his sails to catch tn,
, favoring breezes. There Is peculia
, satisfaction in being on the side OF tn,
majority when the majority is right
for then one has the appreciation o
his own conscience and the recommen
dation OF his fellow citizens-botf
eStreme mra graatifyhing thogs to any wei
those who wait, If they do their dut,
while they wait. George Washing
ton says, in a letter to Professor Luzac
OF Leyden, December 2, 1871:
In times of turbulence, when the
passions are afoat, calm reason is
swallowed up in the rene to which
measures are carried but when these
subside, and the empire of reason is
resumed, the man who acts from prin-
ciple, who pursues the path of truth,
moderation and justice, will regain
his influence"
The greatest danger to, journalism
is not lack on ofindependence so much as
lack of training and qualification for
the Office and work of editor. To be a
physician one must devote himself for
years to the study of medicine. The
lawyer must go through tedious
and laborious course of reading. The
carpenter, the blacksmith and the
shoemaker must acquire skill by long
and patient practice. But the editor,
whose knowledge should be all-em-
bracing, needs only a hand-press and IL
few pounds of type to enlighten the
world on the momentous issues of the
day. With meagre information, with
no originality and no power of think
ing, he can only become an echo Of
some man or clique, to be used for u
who can put words together and spin
sentences is not an editor any more
than everybody who bangs on piano
is musician. The public is too exact
ing in some things, but in this it's
standard is much too low.
There Is every consideration for an
editor to magnify his calling by honest
and diligent study, by the acquisition
of useful knowledge and broad and
liberal culture. He may thus become
a leader among thinking mon and q
power for good among all men-an edu-
Gator of the people. An editor should be
better informed than his readers that
is his business, and his profession de-
mands it of him. 1t is not necessary
that he should be educated in the
languages and the sciences, though
these will not hurt him, but he must
learn to think for himself and to rely
on his own Judgment for the decision
OF the many questions of popular in
terest that are constantly confronting
him. Some of the best educated men
owe very little to the schools and col
leges. The model journalist, of the
weekly press especially, is he who
combines the practical knowledge of
the printing buiness with knowledge
Of the men and things of his own times,
those who have risen by regular pro-
motion from the position of devil" " to
that of editor. We have some worthy
examples of this kind of journalists in
our own Association-men who know
every detail ofntheir profession, from
washing rollers to writing leaders.
l would like to discuss the more
practical side of newspaper life and
show how newspaper owners have
gradually allowed the public to en-
croach upon their property rights and
deprive them of q large share of their
legitimate profits how the newspapers
have come to be free bulletin boards for
the communication of facts for persons
| CoUCo dU oCdo CApCuoS W UuS
publisher how every party and faction
and society use the newspaper freely for
their own ends; in short, how the
publishers allow themselves to be i'm
posed upon to the great damage of
their business. But there are several
matters of Importance to come before
the Association, and I will not detain
you longer. l sincerely hope that our
deliberations in this splendid hall, SO
kindly put at our service by the Score
tary of State, may be characterized by
courtesy and liberality of sentiment,
and that our stay in this beautiful city
may prove pleasant and profitable to
us all.
At the close of Mr.. Wallace's ad-
dress Mayor Fisher, on behalf of Col.
umbia, extended cordial welcome to
the visiting editors, and hoped that
they would have pleasant and profit
able time.
President Wallace thanked Mayor
Fisher for his cordial welcome.
The reports of officers were called
for. Treasurer Franz Melchers, of the
Zeitung, showed the Association to be
in pretty good financial condition.
President Wallace submitted brie1
report in which he reviewed the work
of the Association, and referred to his
leaving the Association and how very
pleasant his relations had always beer
with other members of the organiza
tion.
The most interesting report was thai
of Secretary Prince. 1t was quite {
long paper, but the gist of it is Civ en-
The report gives hurried review o
the history of the Association from it.
inception May, 1875, when it was or
ganized with but twenty-seven mem
bers, up to the present time. Accord
ing to his report the membership
increased eighty-nine members dur dur
ing the period from 1876 to 1883
and thirty-three from that time t,
the present, giving the Association ;
; total membership Of one hundred ant
; seventeen to date, no record havins
been kept from 1882 ta1889.
The report shows hat under Mr.
Princes careful and in. Vested secre
taryship the records of the Association
have assumed most satisfactory form
; and are now in fine shape for his sue
cessor, who is to be elected at thi
meeting 1t treats most Interestingly
of the trip of the editors to the World
, Fair, which will be made in August, il
which they will enjoy one of the rares
, treats possible to an educated mind q
, no cost except such as 1t pleases then
. to make. The trip affords free trans
portation, entrance to the Fair, fire
, entrance to the theatres of Chicago, q
[ we'll as free entrance to almost every
3 thing 10 be found on the Midwa
, Plaisanse-in brief, carte blanche {