The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-05-11

The following is tho address delivered
by F. Vernon Alcr, OF Martfnsburr, Il.
the meeting Of the Wcst Virginia Edi.
torial Association held in this city on
Wednesday OF this week. 1t Is no, less
interesting to tho general public than
TO the newspaper profession and Is pub.
lishGd in full for that reason.
After expressing his appreciation OF
tho honor imposed upon him, Mr.. Alcr
said:
The power aud influence OF tho prcss
is Il subject that implies a vast meau-
ing. 1t can BIO construed in many WAYS.
but l shall consider 1t. aq a source OF
education and enlightenment; tho
spokesman and leader OF its respective
community; tho flash-light thrown
upon criminals in tho execution Of ius-
ticc; II means OF advancing progress and
enterprise, and 4 medium by which
younger generations are inspired to
lives OF usefulness aud ambition. There
are many printed sheets called newspa-
perath that arc unworthy OF tho lame. A
newspaper OF to-day, in my opinion, ia
one conducted In tho fear OF God, and
through which tho best interests OF mo.
rality and tho people generally arc
served aud guarded fearlcssly, by, chew
ing to the line, let tho chips fall whero
they may"
Such Il paper is sure to gain tho hearty
support, respect and esteem, OF the law
abiding and Christian class Of people.
lts influence would know no bounds.
Its power would exceed all others, of
any and whatever kind. 1t would DO
looked upon as q beacon light for the
guidance OF Its people, and held aloit as
u warning for the punishment OF evil
doors. While the generations coming
after its deeds and record would be soul
inspiring to nobler lives, and by them
handed on, and on, down to posterity.
What better illustration OF this fact can
be found than tho journalistic careers
OF Benjamin Franklin, Horace Greeley,
and George W. Childs. Their lives were
exemplary; their journalistic SUCCESS
wonderful; their accomplishments as
writer's almost marvellous; and the
power and influence OF their journals
beyond question, and far greater
than that Of any other source. Not
only in American homes, but through
out the whole country, their very names
were adored. They were fearless in the
affairs and duties OF tho men, but reapec-
tive OF the God who gave them birth.
Their papers were O means Of conveying
to the thousands OF readers their preach
inCs; but above all this their lives were
typical illustrations OF every day prac.
tice. This latter In itself won for them
admiration, and their names will DO
handed down from generation to genera
ton with instructive teachings, and q
request that one greon spot be kept
sacred to their memory. All, / would
only ask in vain, how many newspaper
men are thete in this audience who do
not love and respect these examples
who have preceded US? Echo would
answer back, none! Every good act, DO
I it ever so small, gains in grace and
honor, and in true naguidcenco, is re-
garded by those coming after. Zen
though man be separated from man, yet
by such O lie he Is drawn nearer to his
Maker. Therefore, in building, think
you are building forever, and not with
Il view OF some little accomplish
ment to be forgotten as soon rs you are
gone. Your work should be such as
your descendants would thank you for;
Of such n character that it will remain
as firm as tho rocks OF Gibraltar, and
be regarded as sacred by your SUCCESSORS
because you accomplished it. Such re-
cords will be pointed to by after genera
tions with pride, and your memory
loved and revered. American journal
ism lost its brightest lights in the men
have mentioned. Yet there are others
who, doubtless, can follow their foot
steps ii they will only "be up and do
ing"
There are some, doubtless. who.
through bigotry and c%onceit, would
readily deny that tho newspapers Of to-
day arc the important factors In mould
ing public opinion; enforcing legisla-
ton: advancing progress, and educating
the people. Such people. evidently, arc
behind tue times; unacquainted with
practical newspaper work aud general
ly OF little value to o community-in
fact obstacles in the way OF its ad-
vanccmcnt. Such adenial cannot meet
with the approval OF any sensible, ener.
Getic, or progressive person. /. for one,
fully believe that without tho press to-
day, this country would be in q rather
bad condition-immorality. vice and
crime. to q largo extent, would 90 UNI
punished-politics, nov rotten to the
core, would be dangerous, indeed
legislation would suffer ior want Of
honorable and honest men; while the
people would be helpless in securing
their rights. In fact, without tho press,
We could safely compare this country to
that Of the heather. Tho present con-
dition Of this country, its rapid stride in
the onward march Of progress and civil
i%sation, Is duo mostly to tho power and
influence OF the press.
Only during the past century has tho
press made any Roadway. There was a
limo when its tenor was controlled by u
higher power; but, thank God, that day
has passed. To-day it enjoys a freedom
OF speecli, that in some countries would
completely ruin it During the past
few years it has made rapid strides in
America, and has SO molly carried
on its mission, that it has entirely sc.
cured the endorsement OF the people
generally. Even in u own little
mountain state it has spread out so
completely that every prosperous COM
munity and section now gathers itself
under its protection, and bids defiance
to evil doers. Without the press in this
state we would hardly know the adyau-
taGes OF civilization, much less prosper
itr. It has been entirely through its
influence and power our mineral and
timber resources have becn made
known 10, the world; our healthiul
climate has brought home-scekers; our