The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-01-05
KIND WORDS NEVER DE-

MOuSSly Is d NlIluC. II ID W NC
modest all the year round. Since we
took leave to draw upon a few letters
a few weeks ago and to lay them before
the reader we nave received others.
But the day following the publication
of the extracts, we received letters
from such high sources bringing such
high appraisement and such uncom-
mon encouragement, that We have been
struggling for weeks to overcome the
natural modesty of a journalist and re-
produce all or a part.
1t is very common for to
publish all good things said of them by
tine press. Why may not an old journ-
aIist-by years the oldest in North Car
DINA by actual service-print what
newspaper men of high qualities of
mind and character may say of him?
Remember that it is not all praise, and
by a very great lea that an editor or
journalist receives. He is cursed, CEN
sured, villipended, misunderstood. His
loyalty to his state does not please
fellows of a certain type. His I'M
swerving devotion to the Los Cause"
is an occasion for malediction and SUI
percilious disgust. But if he be self
contained and sincere and true, he will
cure LOT nOLe VI lAcSS lIllSS- OOi
scious of right he will still pursue the
right.
One of the best equipped n clearest
headed editors North Carolina has had
in a half century wrote as follows in a
highly appreciated and most kind
ly way, and if one half of what is so
generously said is true, we shall not
have lived in vain:
Il am gla to see that you still main
tain your health and vigor, and that
eur editorial work moves along as
evenly as of yore. How much your
pencil has written! What a library
your editorials would fill-illuminating
too such a vast variety of topics AL
though it is a dogs life-to have to
turn ii out whether the spirit moves or
not-yet there is a charm and faScina-
ten in writing from the tripod, me
judice' p~ronouncing judgment, and
Speaking 'ex cathedral 1 heartily con-
gratulate you on you long, and accep-
table and valuable connection with the
press. There is no computing h value
of your services to North Carolina and
to society"
Another gentleman of very genuine
sifts and ranks high has this to say,
aad we are glad to have so partial a
0COSu1llOn 1IOAA OLC ~
Believe my dear sir, that there is
ne man in the state whose good opinion
is more valued by me than your own.
/ have carefully kept UP with you dur
ing many years and with exceptions
which I do not recall q assume there
nAust have been exceptions) L have ever
found you orthodox on the great ques-
items OF politics, letters and state rights,
which last is above mere politics."
A letter from a business gentleman
OF Salisbury, writing of another mat
ter, closes with this approval, which is
in striking contrast with those who see
no good in North Carolina, have no in
terest in her history and her people.
and behold no great worth in her deeds.
He writes: You publish so much (of
North Carolina) that one thinks more
of our state and its people" He was
connected with a religious newspaper
at one time and for years read the Mes
senger. He is so interested in it and its
faithfulness to North Carolina he sends
a subscription.
Just after Christmas a gifted Pres
byterian minister who writes excellent
Iy and is an author of gifts and graces,
writes very kindly. All the extracts,
Dut n are from InOSe with WnOm we
have no personal acquaintance. Our
new friend but old reader generously
says, among other things:
I'm former years I had the privilege
daily of reading your editorials, and
have ever since counted myself very
much your debtor.
Though 1 have not had the opportun-
ity often of reading the Messenger dur
ing the last eight or ten years, ! have
kept in sight of you as it We're,
through the frequent quotations from
you"
None of the extracts comes from those
who are Of the same religious order and
faith" with us. Our real object is not
so much to tickle vanity as to let read
ers see thu there are others over the
state living far apart who place value
upon services that many consider of
no worth. and who are really among the
best minds in their callings in h state,
nearly all of whom have newspaper
training.