The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-12-24
BAILEY THINKS
HE IS "INSPIRED"
Issues Ukase to Methodsts and Baptists to
destroy" the News and
Observer.

and Observer, falsely alleging that the
paper of which l am editor is trying ito
take captive the Bride of Christ" is ''hec-
toring the religious denominations" that
II would invade the churches and dictate
to them," and that it has coolly assumed
have rights which it must respect"
call upon the people of North Carolina
t2 say whether this indictment is true.
In the fear of God, l declare there is
grave charges contained in Bailey's call
to Methodists and Baptists to boycott
the News and Observer. There is no
living man who has profounder respect
for the churches and le ministry than
myself. There is no newspaper in Ameri-
ca that, in proportion to it's size, devotec
more space to religious topics than the
News and Observer. 1t always lends liz
influence to moral reforms and every
preacher in the State, whose life work
is consecrated to saving souls, to civic
righteousness, to moral purity has found
in it an ally and co-worker. When the
temperance forces chose Editor Bailey as
lively fought for effective temperance leg
slation except the News and Observer,
and Mr.. Bailey publicly declared in letter
printed on the first day of February this
year:
81 thank you for the magnificent
paper of last Sunday. Never before
has q daily paper so adequately
voiced the demands of the people of
North Carolina You deserve praise
not only for this edition, but for
the constant support you have given
the campaign for temperance legis-
lation.''
Only yesterday distinguished Methodist
preacher said: eve owe more to
the News and Observer for the growth
of temperance sentiment in North Caro-
lima than all other agencies" Certainly,
little or much, it did all it could and
never counted the cost, to shut up the
saloons and the stills.
What proof does Mr. Bailey offer in sup
port of his allegation that the News and
Observer has Invaded the sacred pre-
cincts of Che church, and put forth
a deliberate and desperate effort to lord
it over Gods heritage?" He bases his
whole argument upon the criticism this
paper has made of the spoken words #
Rev. J. C. Massee and the written words
of Prof. Bassett. When Rev. Massce
came to Raleigh, the News and Observer
printed his picture, copied extracts from
papers giving him high praise, and up TO
the hour when he prophecied bloods.ed
and virtually excused negroes for stealing,
this paper was kind to him, as it has
been to every minister OF the gospel in
Raleigh. The good preacher is the man
in every community deserving of highest
honor. My paper always gives them
denomination who has lived IN Raleigh
knows.
why was Mr.. Massee criticised? :?
On the fourth day of September there
appeared in the Raleigh Times. (edited
be Mr.. j. C. Caddell, formerly as
corder, and leading and influential Bap
tist,) under big headlines, report Of
All address or talk made in the Baptist
Tabernacle on the night of Sept. 3rd. 7
had made arrangements not to return to
the office that night and was so busy
that did not read the Times that after
eight O'Clock my telephone rung score
OF times, prominent ministers and laymen
in Raleigh calling me up and expressing
indignation at the incendiary utterances
of Mr.. Massce. AS soon as ! could ex-
cuse myself from my guests, / hurried
to the News and Observer Office and at
the phone. l told him ,aat the utterance
had profoundly stirred tho whole city
and the people were indignant. st my re.
quest he went to see Mr.. MaSsee and that
gentleman came to the News and Observer
office / showed him the following ex-
tract from his address or sermon in the
Times, written by Mr.. Edw. l.. Conn,
devout member of the Baptist church,
'They accused Job of being unfair
and oppressive to the poorer classes.
/ think the people of this country
have a whole lot to answer fer the
way they treat the negro race. l be-