Mexico weekly ledger., 1898-12-22
JUST HEAR rHE PREAoHER.
Rev. Mr. Pittman Speaks Of the
kexico EDITORS he Wishes They
Were Members Of His Church.

To the Editor Of the Ledger.
MExIco, Mo-. Dec. 16-say, brother
LEDGER man, here is q clipping from
the Oeatral Baptist. DIR. Armstrong is
the editorial writer Of it. He was In
columbia last week at the Missouri
Press Association meeting. This
clipping suits ms:
s'rhere was Hearty and unanimous
response 10 every utteFanee which
dlgnined tho editorial Gree, which
emphasized the high character Of ita
work. Nothing was more apparent
than the gentlemanliness Of these
editors. There was no drinking, no
rioting, no profanity, no coarse jest
Ing. Without investigating the mat
ter, Il is believed that a large majority
of them are Christian gentlemen,
moved by noble impulses, whose lives
are adorned by clean habits"
I feel sure that DR.. Armstrong
thought OF the Mexico editors when
he wrote that tribute to the editors OF
tho secular newspapers Of Missouri.
Certainly our Business Men's Associa-
ton can heartily and gratefully en-
courage Mexico's newspaper thrift
and enterprise. Within less than four
yeara | have made four trips to the
Atlanhc coast, visiting great centers
of population; and everywhere / was
In the tracks Of Bob White, who had
advertised Mexico and Audrain county
ana Missouri. The only objection l
have to Bob White is that be Is moi q
member of my church. II he were
not so worthful, SO w~ealthfulIy useful,
l would be more thoroughly willing
for him to be one among the noble
people who r putting Presbyterian
institutions In the front.
During the year l have been at
Canton, In Northeast Missouri; and In
Maryville, in Northwest Missouri,
Since I've lived in MexipSTSve been
ts Joplin in SonlA%ssst Missouri; and
to Cape Girardeau in Southeast Mis-
souri,. In the four corners OF the state
people have asked me about Sam
Cook, the Democratic chairman, and
Bob White. The people say, "Mexicc
must be a great city when such men
as s 3. Cook and R. NJ. White are
residents of IT," / tell them that Sam
Cook and / live in the same block and
that Bob Whites two-towered house
is about 100 yards from mine; and
then I have a pisasing feeling, which
l can't quite describe.
Tho LEp6ER and the Intelligence
are doing donor to Missouri journal
ism, while they are making Mexico
the best known and most favorabIy
known town in Missouri. AS a citizen
of Mexico l am proud OF the editors
of these two newspapers. II the edi-
tors were members of my church, ]
might try to love them more than ]
now do; but / don't think that they
could In their newspaper work be-
stow more kindness on me as q
preacher. II / mistake not, all the
pastors most highly appreciate the
liberal kindness OF tho LEDGER and
Iateliigencer TO the churches.
Brother Reporter, If the LEDGER Il
In need now, I'll take up a collection
for 1t next Sunday. Do the subscrib-
ers and advertisers delay paying upi
You know that some folks don't pay
the preacher promptly? II you fell
lows are a little short Of cash right
here close to Christmas, let me know
and III exhort the people at my
church next Sunday to pay their
debts, so the newspaper men may
have a happy Christmas.
N. R. PTrTMAN.