Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-10-18
Mrs. Virginia Clay C1opton
TO THE EDITORS OF ALABAMA.

tlon as 1olloWS.
Ladies and Gentlemen: The distinguish
ed lady who will address you this evening
needs no introduction in Alabama. IN
deed, her fame is national, her name
known throughout the length and
breadth certainly of this our fair south
land.
authoress, she Yields a most facile pen,
which she often uses in behalf of any
noble cause which may appeal to her
heart. A great lover of books and very
cormorant of newspaper literature, she
has been fifty chosen to speak on the sub
ject of Journalism to the journalists OF
her state, whose efforts and whose in
f1uence she so thoroughly appreciates.
But in spite of her many intellectual at
tainments, it is not in the field of letters
that she has won her fame. 1t is for the
qualities of the heart that she shines with
such brilliant lustre.
Her broad sympathy and wonderful
powers of adaptability have gained for
her the confidence and affection of all
with whom she comes in contact, and her
friendship once gained is rarely with
drawn.
So in her wide travels and large range
of experience, she has drawn about her
a Gordon OF admirers whose homes are on
both continents, and these she keeps
bound to her with cords of love.
Possessed of conversational ability sell
long reigned over and commanded host
of admirers, who have felt proud to
claim her friendship and honored in doing
her service. And in this age of sordld
selfshness and self centered interests, 1t
is no small triumph to have won ma
tional reputation for disinterested mo-
tives and unselfsh friendships. To her
belong all of those subtle charms which
make
1.-THE perfect woman nobly planned,
To warn, to comfort and command"
AS the wife of one of Alabama's most
brilliant senators, she reigned for many
years social queen a the nations CAPT
tai, yet with all of her keen interest in the
affairs of state, and her wonderful di-
plomacy, everything about her has ever
been found to be pure womanly."
/ allude to this chara cteristic especially
In connection with a cause which | know
she will touch upon tonight A cause
which many of you in wilful ignorance
and blind prejudice, insist upon connect
ing with all that is unwomanly and I'M
attractive.
aOur distinguished speaker is an ardent
advocate of this cause of social reform
and justice to woman, and If she touches
upon this subject this evening 1t Will be
because she believes that in addressing
the journalists of her state she is appeal
ing to moulders of public opinion. the
educators of the people. And surely the
moving motive of the country's educators
should be principal and not prejudice,
Justice rather than mere sentiment
Our speaker is one whose bright intel
lect has kept her ever abreast of the
times always alive and awake to the
interests of her country, and the needs or
her sex.
She is a woman whose interest in her
friends and in every beneficient object
never flags, woman in whose yocabu-
Iary the word self does not appear. A
,ho HicnnUprp6
secret of perpetual youth lies in keeping
the fountain of love forever yelling up
in her heart.
This, ladies' and gentlemen, I believe
you will recognize to be true picture or
the gifted woman whom I now have the
honor to present to you, Mrs. Virginia
Clay Clopton of Alabama.
Mrs. Clopton's Address.
Gentlemen of the Associated Press OF
Alabama When short time since L
was cordially invited to address you on
this momentous occasion L promptly de-
clined approaching my utter inability to
properly perform so formidable task;
but, on second thought, a feeling of pride
awoke in my breast that l should be
chosen for so distinguished an honor, so
with iaudable ambition Gas | trust you
will conceive it,, though but poor coun-
try woman of a Martha troubled about
many things" l have left them all and
have come with heart and soul to meet
you and give you Highland welcome TO
our little city, to our homes and hearts,
to our amphitheater of picturesque noun
tains and to the crystal waters of our far
famed Big Spring. We have enjoyed
partial acquaintance with some Oh you
through the exquisite subtilties Of speech,
which pertain to the press, but doupiy
felicitate ourselves today on meeting you
face to face in cordial handshaking, the
vibrations of which cannot fail to awaken
a genuine affinitive and electric heart
thrill through every link of this GORDON
of brotherhood--the men who WELD the
pen. which is mightier than the sword;
Ihe men who compose the Associated
Press of Ala bama. l see before me body
of journalists whose facile and fOrceful
pens give life and luster, charm and
character to our state whenever ana
wherever read, and of whom our public
is Justly proud. Alabama has never sent
forth sheets such as the Wasp in Missis-
sippi and the Hornet in Arkansas, whose
unwarranted license and venomous ca
reers were cut short by the tragic fate or
their editors, to the relief of their respec-
tive communities. A sense of personal
responsibility, accompanied by courtesy
magnanimity and good breeding have
ever been prominent qualities In the press
of Alabama Although, according to the
prevalent idea of enterprise, all news
papers publish the vile crimes of 10000
of people, yet the press of this state Is
CT
the sanctuary of the home. And In poll
tics we have had examples of men who.
ectuated by devotion to the cause of the
neonle. have bravely and successfully
stammed the current of adverse public
oninion and commanded the respect of
their opponents. In the conduct of news.
naners for the exercise Of influence and
for permanent existence principle Is the
only sure guide Among the gentlemen
before me Alabama, as of yore. possesses
many pure and courageous standard
bearers.
7 behold also in this audience most
distinguished figure-that of one who
though long retired from the political and
editorial arena, shines today with glory
unsurpassed in the annals of journalism.
7 feel that | shall be pardoned and APP
plauded when I mention the name of Hon.
Robert Barnwell Rhett of South Carolina,
the Nestor of the southern American
press. AS long as the English language
is read his eloquent and invincible expo
sition and vindication of southern rights
and southern principles, southern honor
and southern valor will attract and COM
mand the admiration of the reading
world. AS editor of the Charleston Mer-
curry and New Orleans Picayune his fame
Is transatlantic.
II Was said by Apampmnon of his grand