The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-12-04
TO MUzZLE The PRESS
The LawIessness Shown in Hanging
One Who Had Done Nothing More
Than Exercise the Right of Freedom
of Speech is Denounced as a Blow
at the Liberty of the Press.
Especial to News and observer.) }


Washington, D. c., Dec. 3.-Today the
North Carolina Press Association, in ses-
sion in this city. after due deliberation
and with only one dissenting vote, passed
a resolution condemning in the strongest
language the recent display of lawlessness
and mob violence on the part of the stud
ents at Trinity College. Durham, N. C.
Following is the text of the resolution,
which was voted for by every member of
the association present, except H. NJ.
Blair editor of the Greensboro Christian
Advocate:
Whereas, the papers of today inform
us that a brother member of this associa-
tion has been hanged ineffigy by the
students of Trinity College, one of the
leading educational institutions of our
State, for the apparent reason that he
exercised the right of freedom of speech
in his paper;
Resolved, That this association regret
the said action as an attempt to abridge
the freedom of the press and condemn it
in the strongest language as contrary to
he true spirit of our people"
morning Editor T. W. Whitehead, of the
North Carolina Truckers Journal, offered
a resolution calling for the appointment
of committee of three to prepare a
suitable resolution expressing the sentl-
ments of the association regarding the
action of the students and trustees of
Trinity College on the Bassett matter.
He wanted a prompt and decisive con-
demnation of it, as he thought no lam
guage could be too emphatic in deprecat-
ing the refusal of the trustees to accept
Bassett's resignat ation or too strong IN de-
nouncing the outbreak of lawlessness that
his teachings had inspired among the
students, as manifested by their hanging
in effigy one who had dared oppose such
dangerous doctrines.
Editor London, of the Pittsboro Record,
deplored greatly so unfortunate situatioe
as had developed at Trinity, but he did
not think the action proposed by Mr..
Whitehead wise. He did not think the
association ought to go on record as de-
nouncing the action of the trustees of a
private institution, but to condemn the
act of lawlessness on the part of the
students in attempting to degrade one,
who had done nothing more than exer-
else the right of freedom of speech and
of the press, he regarded as properly in
the province of the Association.
Moderation was urged by Editors Man
ming of Henderson Gold Leaf: Farriss of
High Point Enterprise; Beasley, of Mon
roe Journal, and perhaps others, but all
of them took occasion to express emphatic
disagreement with the views of Bassett.
and the strongest condemnation of the
spirit of mob violence displayed by his
students Mr.. Farriss and Mr.. Beasley
doubted whether it were not beneath the
dignity of the Association to be condemn
ing the act of lot of irresponsible boys
in school. But Mr.. Hartness, of the
Statesville Mascot, pointed out that the
act of the students was not the act Of
boys. but of men. that it was a blow at
the freedom Of the press by attempting TO
degrade and humiliate one who, in the
exercise of that freedom of speech guar
anteed him by the Constitution. had
dared disagree with them. He considered
it an act that called for prompt action
and one that could not be passed in
silence by the Association.
Elder p d. Gold. Editor of lions
Landmark. spoke to much the same effect.
He deprecated the necessity for any dis
cussion of a matter which related to a
policy of a great denomination or Its
government of great educational institu-
ton of that denomination. but he did
favor the condemnation by the Association
OF an ac: of unprecedented indiSnity
launched by any body of citizens against
reputable citizen. II the case In hand.
an honored member OF the Press Associa-
tion of North Carolina had been attacked,
and he believed that this act should be
condemned in no uncertain tones by the
Association. He could not sec how those
who had been pleading for tolerance of
thought and speech could now object to
the strongest condemnation of this dis
graceful spirit which would destroy the
constitutionally guaranteed liberty of the
press
Editor Blair, of the Greensboro Chris
tlan Advocate. said he had condemned
Bassett and he might do so again. but he
could not coniure this up as an excuse for
such action BY the Association as was
proposed by Mr.. Whitehead nor even the
more conservative action proposed by Mr..
London
Barring the views of Mr. Blair the only
point of difference seemed to be as to the