The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-06-06
MASTERY SPEECH.
OF Senator Elkins Before the
Editorial Association
All. ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA,
On the Evening of June 1-somc Per-
tinent Reflections on the Frcedomor
the Press-A Deserving Tribute to
tho Country Press = The Duty OF
II Newspapers and the Responsibility
Of Rich men-The Progress of tho
Country.

United States Senator ElkIns on the
evening of June delivered the fol-
lowing address before the West Virginia
Editorial Association:
Mr.. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:
The meeting OF the Editorial Assoc!-
alton OF West Virginia in this town,
scarce ten years old marks, perhaps
the most important event in Its history
and Is a compliment toits people On
their behalf am authorized to say we
appreciate your coming here. are glad
to have you as our guests and extend
TO each member o. the association u
most cordial welcome. Our hearts and
homes are wide open to you. The best
hospitality we can extend will be yours.
: We hope your sessions mag do good for
journalism in the state. and that You
will take to your respective homes
pleasant memories OF our mountain
town and its people during your stay
among them. AK 's.,l Il
1recosnize In this presence that am
face to face with those who for many
years in our political campaigns and
during my service in the cabinet and
5 the senate. have sustained and opposed
me on public questions. Ittakes some
courage. having you all together, to
resist the opportunity--the only, one l
hove ever had Of talking back and say
ing n word In my own behalf For /
feel that the best way 10 talk to a news
\ paper man Is face to face. A wise man
does not rush Into print to answer critl-
clsms or. charges made In newspapers
81 That above all things Is what the jour-
nalist desires. I realize It may be some
time before such an opportunity comes
again, I make use OF It. however, only
to say that am grateful for the cour-
y tesy and kindness ! have received ut
the hands of the press In the state gen.
orally during our political contests and
while in, the public service. and for
which I wish to express my thanks to
the members OF this associa ton, present
and absent. III am sure I have not de-
served all the good things that my loyal
party friends have said about me, and
as to criticisms OF my course on pub
= lie questions and attacks uron me by
my opponents. ! have simply to say
that have tried to profit by both rath-
s err than complain. My estimate of the
moral and mental stature OF man Is
not measured by what he may think or
say about me. or whether, he likes or
dislikes me. have learned long since
that because my mIstakes-and I rea-
s lie I'make many-are pointed out and
criticised, It does not follow that those
who do me this service may not be wise
and good mon and sometimes right.
The acts OF public men and candl-
dates for office are matters Of public
concern and become. IN sense, public
property. open 10 discussion and the
fullest criticism.
Freedom of the Press
The freedom OF the press and govern
ment by parties are among the safe
guards OF n republic where the liberties
OF the people IRE the chief concern In
deed a republic could not well exist
without both. The friction Of discuss
ion in the press and on the stump Is
healthful. Discussion lifts the Cog OF
error and clears the atmosphere OF
doubt and ignorance. brings out the
truth. turns the light on vital questions,
helps the voter to proper conclusions
and assists In guarding the rights and
liberties OF the people. Political CAM
palgEs may. nt times disturb the bust
ness of5the country. but they enllghten
the people on great public questions
which by their conscience and judy
mert must be decided.
The time has come when the press Ia
the most potent influence In moulding
public opinion. This was not the case
fifty years ago: then the statesman and
the orator more largely influenced pub
lie opinion. ID not mean 10 say by
this that the days of the orator and
stump speaker are past-they will new
o. Ct,. u,,Nt H.,
ways I'LL an Important place and WELD
powerful influence In shaping public
opinion. know the freedom OF the
press Is often abused. Instead OF calm
discussion. justice 20 m opponent the
press Is frequently made the ins,ru-
ment Of Injustice. Editors too often.
. under excitement or passion, abuse a
public man whom they would not injure
in any other, way. Oftentimes the press
needlessly and reckless!y brings heart
aches to families and places cloud up
on regulations which Is not removed
during lifetime. But It does not fol-
low because OF these abuses that the
freedom Of the press should be restrict
ed The best things In the world are
abused. liberty Itself. but we would not
do without II. The wrong resulting
from abuse OF the freedom OF the press
in most cases Is to individuals. hut the
Injury comes from source good In It
self and one which Is in the interest OF
the general welfare. The advantages
10 society, government and civilization
that come from the freedom OF the
press far outweigh any wrong that re-
suits from its abuse. and as time goes
on. rs men grow better and public
opinion demands higher sense OF JUS.
tlce. better taste and better manners.
rha nh ~ bnf rnar,.D, Of IN
WILL grow less
Founders Of tho Stnte.
Man Is largely creature of environ
ment; indeed, everything In nature Is
influenced and moulded by It's sur
roundlnGs. Man Is seldom responsible
for his political and religious beliefs.
IL he could select his immediate nncca-
tors he might control both. Any Of us
born a Mohammedan and living In Tur.
key would most likely be Mohamme-
dan. This rule OF environment gov
crns largely In the cnse OF the metro
polltan press, In the great cities, where
everything Ii intensely local and con-
centrated. Although tho newspapers
OF the cities are widely read. yet, at
best, they reflect chiefly local thought.
and on political questions don't think
this thought is up to the standard OF
the average thought In the country.
The city papers are not only local With
local environment. but see everything
from the standpoint OF the cities where
they are published. The country or
county press In the several states IL not
70 local. It enjoys n wider vision, gets
nearer the people and the Independent
thinker. therefore crcr,s more innu-
encc, and IL a safer guide and educn-
tor. Ina word. II more nearly reflects
the mature public opinion Of the couR-
try, which IN generally correct The