The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-12-22
SECULAR AND RELIGIOUS PAPERS.
Charlotte News.)

The editor of the Biblical Recorder
Mr.. William ]. Bailey, has written q
rather Incorporate letter to the Char
lotte Observer concerning the Raleigh
News and Observer Mr.. Bailey declares
that that paper, being a secular and par
tisan paper, is hectoring the religious de-
nominations. That it is demanding the
retirement of college president and a
college professor and moving for the ulti-
mate retirement by moving for the public
degradation OF the pastor OF church.
The professor is Professor Bassett and
the president is DR.. Kilgo and the pastor
is the Rev. j. G. Massee, OF the Baptist
Tabernacle, Raleigh
Mr. Bailey further charges that tn
News and Observer by its opposition to
the sainted Durham in his memorable
campaign for Christian Education has
ened his death. This we take to be the
gist of the matter OF the communication,
minus its Incorporate speech before re-
ferred to, of which Mr. Bailey has prob
ably repented by the time he sees h s
letter in cold type.
The editor of the News is also the
editor of religious paper. He thinks
that he understands the functions OF
both. He has no quarrel with either Mr.
Bailey or Mr.. Daniels. If they knew
each other better they would like each
other more. We know and like them
both. And the editor of this paper, in
his capacity as the editor OF a religious
paper has received. ne thinks, his lull
share of abuse from politicians and from
secular papers for the stand for the right
as it was given him to see the right, when
the success of the right meant the de1car
of selfish mercenary or political plans.
He therefore does not speak from the
view point OF man who has been en-
tirely free from the aspersions of the sec
ular press. But we think editor Bailey
might himself see things in a new light
ii he were to become the editor of a sec
ular paper for while. Mr.. Bailey
knows that Professor Bassett wrote that
article in the South Atlantic Quarterly
for the purpose, among other purposes,
of holding up to contempt the News and
Observer as yellow journal" Dr., Xii
go made speech in. the Eastern Confer
ence the other day against the News
and Observer, though he did not call 1t
by name. Rev. j. c. Massee was undoubt-
edly Influenced by the News and Obser
ver's criticisms of his utteranccs III Raj
eigh when he spoke for governmental sup
preston of the editorial columns OF the
secular press. The News and Observer
has had it's say about DR.. Kilgo and Pro-
lessor Bassett and Rev. J. c. Massee.
II seems to us that it takes quite a
stretch of the inns gination to say that this
defensive or offensive. attitude of the
News and Observer Under personal at
tacks is the "hectoring of a denomina-
ton
Mr.. Daniels Is a Methodist in good
and regular standing. He is man OF
blameless persona! life. He is the be-
loved teacher of large class of A. and
NJ College students in the Methodist Sun
day school 1t would seem that as a
Methodist he should be given the same
right of criticising the members of his
own denominatita that they have exer
cised in criticising him. We may depiore
the personalities on Both sides. but it
is clear enough that they have been On
both sides. @bt
Rev. j. C. Massee rs a Baptist min
lister, useful and beloved in his own con
gregation Had the News and Observer
any right to critcise him? Let us see
if We cannot work out a principle here.
Mr.. Massee is Southern man who
had been living for a time in Ohio. Even
Southern born men soon lose their grip
on Southern problems when they 70
North Mr.. Massee said some months