Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1894-05-12

Aoootlatioh, Atiu az HStaliigy W. II.
May s and 8, 1894.
mot enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way,
But TO act, THAT each tomorrow
Find us farther than to-day"
Before entering upon the observa-
tons | am about to address to you, my
first duty is to personally acknowledge
the occasion which has brought me
here. In beginning work of to-day,
one mostly values the appreciation oil
those older than himself. To secure
the respect and esteem of those who
have already gained distinction
stimulates one in the hope that he
too, in time, may derive distinction
in turn. AS life advances one becomes
nor thoroughly convinced of his
abilities and his limits, and is inspir-
ed to greater accomplishments. His
future expectations become greater
and higher, and his mind wanders
back over the past. Then he is con-
fronted with the true picture of life
action, and in the language of Long
fellow says:
Trust no future, howe'er pleasant !
Let the dead Past bury its deadl
Act,-act in the living Present
Heart within, and God o'erhead
The question arises not only as to
what he has done, what he can do, OF
what he will do-but, what he is do
ing nowl He begins TO consider the
the time and talents which he has
used or misused, and with this ac-
count before him, if good, it is then
that the thoughts of the respect and
love of those that are coming after
him become peculiarly and agreeably
pleasant. If he has been abused by
his contemporaries, he is fattered in
his self-conceit to have interested
another generation, at least. And
when he begins to feel that ere long
he will pass away, he dreams Of
a second future in the minds of those
coming after, and who will succeed
him upon life's stage.
Therefore, on this occasion, allow
HE to say that never in my life has
anything given me more pleasure
than to be present here under such
circumstances. l heartily appreciate
the honor conferred upon me by sou
i'll selecting ME your orator on this
occasion; an honor spontaneously
and generously bestowed by you, and
unlocked for, yea, ~undreanled of by
me. My heart and ambition has been
with the newspaper fraternity, and
my deepest sympathy. also, in the
many struggles | know they are call
ed upon to encounter.
Many years ago, when | was mis-
chievously filling the lowest position
attached to the newspaper of1ice-the
devilship, l was interested in an ac-
count of the National Press Associa-
ton in one of Jul Western cities. 1t
contained an Grafton delivered by a
distinguished writer, and | wondered
if he had ever been a printer devil"
However, if anyone had told ME, when
| was bordering over this. that l also
should one day fill a like mission,
would have ridiculed the idea, and
placed more absolute %incredulity i'll
the statement than Knox's comrade
placed in that prophecy. Yet, as in
credible as it would then have SEEM
ed, it is now, nevertheless, a fact.
Again thank you for the honor with
feelings of gratitude, and trust that
in my observations you will not be
disappointed.
The power and influence of the
press is a subject that implies a vast
meaning. 1t can be construed in
many ways, but l shall consider it as
a source of education and enlightment;
the spokesman and leader of its re-
spective community; the flash light
thrown upon criminals in the execu-
ton OF justice; a means of advancing
progress and enterprise; and a medi-
un by which younger generations are
inspired to lives Of usefulness and am
bition. There are many printed
sheets called newspapers that are I'M
worthy the name. A newspaper OF
to-day, in my opinion, is one conduct
ed in the fear of God. and through
which the best interests of morality
and the people generally are served
and guarded fearlessly. by chewing
to the line, let the chips fall where
they may
Such a paper is sure to gain the
hearty support, respect, and esteem,
of the law abiding and Christian class
OF people. Its influence would know
no bounds. It's power would exceed
all others, of any and whatever kind.
1t would be looked upon as a beacon
light for the guidance of its people,
and held aloft as a warning for the
punishment Of evil-doers. 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 a be
found than the journalistic careers oil
Benjamin Franklin, Horace Greeley,
and George W. Childs. Their lives
were exemplary; their journalistic
success wonderful; their accomplish
lnents as writer's almost miraculous
and the power and influence of theiI
journals beyond question, and fal
greater than that of any other source.
Not only in American homes, but
throughout the whole country. Their
very names alone were adored. They
were fearless in the affairs and duties