The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-05-20
OPINIONS COME UNASKtD
he Will Not Cease Journalistic Work
Unless Forced to do So.
NOT YET INCOMPETENT OR UNfAITHFUl
with a Fair Chance and an Open Field,
Could Hope 10 Stand For a While Longer
for the Truest and Best Things tor
Dear Old North Carolina

To the Editor: The proprietors OF the
Messenger sent me this:
1--WE will say, in this connection, that
for years past the editorial page or the
Messenger has not been satisfactory, not
only to US. but to a great many 1rlends
Of the paper"
That was rather surprising after more
than eleven years Of faithful, %unbroken
service. 1t is thirteen years this may
since | began with the Messenger. After
this how could any one with the sensl-
bilities. pride, self-respect and manliness
of a gentleman continue with those who
so stigmatize his best efforts and pro
longed toll? But this is incidental, fof
| am not contrary with any one.
| wish to lay before the public some
extracts from letters received within q
few days from friends. | have letters
from Charlotte to Elizabeth City. They
are from gentlemen of character, educa-
ton and influence. Some are from per-
sons of distinction for learning, ability
and position. publish extracts from
only a part. emitting some of the most
4 IL ~ oAii1
unexpected, but uncommonly appealing
and comforting to me under the peculiar
circumstances must beg pardon of my
highly esteemed friends for copying ex-
tracts from their private letters to me.
| assure them of my most profound graft
tude for their kind words, so cordial and
appreciative.
Rev. DR.. James Carmichael, the learn
ed rector of st. Johns Episcopal church.
Wilmington, in a letter of marked ele-
gance, among other things wrote: THE
newspaper (the Messenger) has been a
great success, because your brains, your
exquisite culture, and your moral integ-
rity and perception have given it the
highest tone, despite many adverse sur
r%oundings. < = 3 | trust you are not
going to fold your hands and retire from
the battle of life, but that you may find
q way where your mental gifts and your
Christian fidelity, may continue to be a
guide and blessing"
The efficient superintendent, Prof.
John j. Blair, of Wilmington High
Schools, writes in part:
To me your department was the most
instructive, dignified and interesting of
all. 4 number of times recently, | have
wanted to thank you for your utterances
- III VI LIZ - VI
the State. Sometime ago you wrote an
editorial of Badger. Ruffin, Graham and
others. | can not begin to tell you
with what keen delight | read your ref
erences to the great men. i 4 r You
have done much to dignity and elevate
the press o. our State, and your pres
ence will be sadly missed from the field
of Journalism
Judge H. G.. Connor, of Wilson, who is
held in high repute, writes:
Il nave enjoyed and been edited by
reading after you for 50 many years.
| feel your retirement is q per
sonal loss"
Edward Gillian, Esq, of Charlotte,
the gifted writer and able executor.
wrote of me with very high praise in the
News of that city. So l take nothing
from his letter to me-. In his article he
said IN part, as the whole appeared in
the Dispatch, it being copied:
Easily the most gifted and accom-
pllsned scholar among North Carolina
journalists, his sound convictions, his in
%dustry, his ~plainness of speech, his man
llneSS and courage in the Sanctum have
given him first place among his brethren.
It is a sad rejection that one SO accom-
plished and so industrious has spent his
mat y nv O1iIb
tence for old age, but requires unceasing
lifelong labor for subsistence"
Mr.. Andrew Joyner, the faithful Spe-
clal Press Correspondent at Greensboro.
\. C., wrote a most pleasant letter in
deed. He is very kind and compliment
airy. We give a few excerpts:
Since my earliest recollection YOU
have been my ideal of a pure and re-
freshing literary guide, an incompatible
editor, q State lover and benefactor and
with it all, and above it, a man. .
| would rather leave such attributec ac
4 heritage to my children. transmitting
to them the Southern gentleness. streneth
and independent manhood 3 than
to leave them without those qualities
C'intellectual and faithful manliness"
mentioned De1ofe), the wrath and
prestige Of our modern demi-eods.n
apt. w. R. Bond, of Scotland Neck
Halifax county, author of the important
and excellent 100 page book on .petti-
grew and Pickett so important To
North Carolina. and himself a wearer OF
the gray in the days of soul trying.
writes:
II have taken the Messenger for wears
and my chief reason for doing so was
to read what YOU had to say about all
matters of interest"
Hon. ~Josephus Daniels, the really able
editor OF that very enterprising and eff
Gent North Carolina daily, the Raleigh
News and Observer, says some pleasant
and touching things in a letter ia mo
He saw a letter | wrote to q friend and
says:
For twenty years and more | have
read your editorials every day. and have
been greatly blessed and helped by them.
| owe you much and will ALWAYS count
myself your debtor. : The first o.
all is God is with us 1t humbles me 70
read of your sublime faith in your
troubles"
Mr.. w. w. Faison, of Goldsboro, writes.
For almost twenty years l have read