The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-06-11
PRESS CONVENTION.

Norehead City, n. c., June 10.-(Edi-
torial Correspondence)-The welcome to
the editorial association was fttingly
expressed by Mr.. c. l.. Abernethy, edi-
tor of the Beaufort Herald. Mr.. Aberne-
thy said:
Brethren of the Press of North Caro-
lima; Moulders of Public Opinion; Pre-
servers of Law and Order; Watchmen
upon the Towers of Civil Liberty; Pro-
tectors of our Homes and Firesides; in
behalf of the two sister ''cities by the
sea-" to-day | bid you welcome, each
and every one of you.
1t has been some time since your As
ISOLATION has so honored us by meeting
here in convention assembled but we
sincerely trust that it will not be your
last time. May your yearly pilgrimages
be turned towards North Cardinals Nee
ca, whose natural surroundings cannot be
surpassed within the borders of our
grand old Commonwealth, or shall | say
within the borders of this glorious Union.
Here it is that the handi-work of a
Supreme Being so manifests itself in
Nature; from the smallest animalculae to
the largest fauna of the sea- so wondrous-
~ formed are they, that all who see
them are compelled to exclaim: what
must be the intelligence of the Being who
created and gave life to so many Won
derful creatures" Then what is a more
beautiful sight than to stand upon the
billow washed shores of the grand old
ocean and watch the ceaseless waves as
they madly chase each other to their own
destruction upon the sanded beach; or
from a protecting shelter watch the fur
ry of an ocean storm as the waves lash
themselves to pieces at the will of wild
Nature; or you may go few miles out
upon the sea and behold that magic cur
rent, the Gulf Stream, the existence and
cause of which has puzzled the profound
est philosophers and most studious and
serious scientists.
10 these surroundings, to the pleasures
afforded by them, to the surf thing,
fishing and delightful a-breeze, to our
homes and hospitality, we extend to you,
. most hearty welcome.
1t is seldom the pleasure of one to adj
dress so representative an audience as
this one before me to-day, a set Of men
who do not devote their lives to news
paper work for mere sordid gain, for show
me a man who has gained wealth from a.
newspaper and l will show you hun-t
dreds Of country editors whose earthly
possessions, to use an expression from
the Billyille Banner, have swiyelled
down to a collar button and rail road
pass" For it is proverbiad, that when
newspaper man gets any extra money, ne
Immediately begins to enlarge from the
patent outside" to the 'all home print"
that's a whole yard wide.
We find in the newspaper man, pa
triot who loves his home and his native
country, who is willing at all times to
make even personal sacrifices for the
sake of public enterprise. AS the trained
pilot stands at the helm OF some great
ship during terrific storm at sea, his
nervy soul and courageous heart is need
ed to save precious human lives and vail
liable property; just so the newspaper
men Of our land have piloted the old ship
of State through many breakers that in
the past have threatened to disrupt and
destroy this land of precious liberty.
The orator and statesman is a great
factor in the making and the holding to-
gether of a nation, but is nothing to
compare with the potent power of the
press It's power is felt in every rank and
station of life. AS Mr.. Thomas Carlyle
says, "the newspapers preach to the peo-
pie, daily, weekly. admonishing kings
themselves, advising peace or war with
the authority of a Pope, inficting moral
censure, imparting moral encouragement,
consolation and OBLIGATION"
1t is theirs to make or destroy q ma
ton, it is theirs to enlighten and to ed
ucate the masses, it is theirs to set up
a high standard of morality, or to be the
precursors OF greatest evils.
But l can say without fear Of contra
diction that the press of North Carolina
has ever been true 10 its craft and pro-
fession.
There used TO be a beautiful custom
practiced by the ancient Greeks, they
would place a Gagged magpie at the
threshold Of every home and the bird
was taught 10 give "A friendly note Of
greeting and welcome to every visitor
And it was also the custom of the Ro-
mans to have the welcome word, Hail."
inscribed above their doors. And while