The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-07-12

Ina Press Convention held in Wrightsville,
the grafton was delivered by Mr.. Archi-
bald johnson, editor of Charity and Chill
dren, the viyile organ of the Baptist Or
Freedom, Fairness and Faithfulness,
and it was so full of wisdom that we
know every reader OIL this paper will enjoy
1T. Mr.. Johnson said:
| wish that | might be able on this oc-
casion to speak helpful word to my
brethren of the honorable profession to
which we belong. This is the motive that
led me to accept this task which your
kindness has imposed upon me. 1t l fail
to drop a single seed of truth into
heart and mind, it will be because l do
not know how to sow. l have had
year for reflection and preparation.
have had some leisure, at least, to devote
to this purpose. l have field OF un-
measured fertility, and a theme or rich
suggestiveness; there is really only one
reason that | know why l should not
make a good speech, and that is that /
do. not know how, which, by the way, IS
not a bad one. But if i do fail to inter-
est and instruct you, l have too much
respect for the occasion and for my
brethren to say that l did not do my
level best.
Time after time we have been told by
orators on occasions similar to this one
that our profession is a high and holy
one. Again and again we have petted
and praised ourselves for occupying one
of the widest fields of usefulness IN all
the world. Year In and year out our at
tention has been directed to the honor
and the responsibility as well as the re-
spectability of belonging to the newspaper
fraternity but brethren, / desire to say
with all the emphasis that l can command,
that our place in this field Is high or
low, according to what we make 1T. As
in some other things it is not the office
that honors the man, but the man the
office. 1t is not the newspaper that
brings an editor honor or prosperity
but it is the intelligent, persistent and
ccnsecrated effort that he puts into his
profession that win and hold the respect
and the confidence of men.
Perhaps we have not been quite defin-
ite enough, as a general thing. in our
speeches and general discussion along this
line. The mere glorying IN any line of
work as if the fact that we are engaged
in it were need of merit. is wrong and
misleading. Because man is editor
is no reason in the world why he may not
be fool, or rascal Indeed, / think
it is rather generally conceded that even
in the Christian ministry there are wolves
wearing the garments that belong to the
sheep. and it is entirely possible that our
own calling, high and holy as it is. may
be prostituted and scandalized by men
who hinder rather than help in, the up
ward progress of the race.
/ desire to be perfectly practical and |
am obliged to be very simple In the few
things that wish to bring before you at
this time, and so / will enter at once upon
the discussion of the subject that | have
chosen and which / have called Three
Things" These three things are qualities
which in my judgment every newspaper
or magazine editor must possess in order
TO magnify his calling and render effec-
tive service in bringing men to the truth.
These things are: Freedom, Fairness and
Faithfulness
Much has been said about the freedom
of the press; very little about the free
dom of the editor. Laws have very prop
ery passed our Legislature guaranteeing
let or hindrance, and | am glad to say
that no State in the Union has a better
law than North Carolina, thanks to the
persistent and most intelligent efforts of
one of our foremost brethren, Major Lon
don, but there is another and a higher
law than those on the statute books of
our State that touches us at a more
vital point than statute laws, and that
=. 4 h. =
soul.
No man can be effective as journalist
who is In bondage. And many a man is
galley slave who has always believed
and boosted that he is free man! There
bre other chains than those of iron
which fetter the hands, and they are
stronger and more Calling. We are living
il an age of slavery. The almighty dollar
Is the absolute monarch in our society.
His DEGREES are obeyed and without know
ing 1T ourselves sometimes, we find that
we are before him on Bonded knee beg
glng his favor and his grace. Hear me
mem Right at this point we must guard
well our almost souls. In the most in
slduous ways this tyrant comes to us and
Iobs US of our strength. 1t may be that
in the sacred and holy name of education
Cur virtue may De dSSalleQ. 1T mas DeeH
done in the name of education. The CT
garette trust and the Standard Oil Com
pany forge no letters of iron, but of
shining gold; but they arc as strong as
steel and more cruel and relentless. The
Florida Legislature suffered itself to be
tied hand and foot with the golden cords
of millionaire. and led captive at his
will. Do not say it cannot be done. 1t
can, and it will be done right here III
North Carolina unless free men will spurn
the honeyed phrases of the money king
and turn their backs upon his splendid
promises.
Who of all the men in the wide world.
ought to be the freest? Who can least af-
ford to wear the collar of any meSey
king? Upon whom does the responsibility
of keeping the public conscience pure and
clean fall first and heaviest? Why, you
men of the watch towers of North Caro-
lima If you yield to the siren song OF
of the money changer what protection Is
left for the people? 1t may be hard to
resist, it will be, but if you are faithful
to the trust committed to your hands
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