Mexico weekly ledger., 1904-06-09

to follow his leadership. Lead the people
In the right path and his power is unlimited
but when confidence Is shaken, either In
Judgment. or Integrity, the power to guide
them Is lost.
'.Two mighty factors are now at work to
facilitate his efforts. For many years the
usual mode of quick communication was the
telegraph. Now, In a large majority OF farm
houses, the telephone gives instant commu-
~nication with adjacent villages, and in many
Instances even with distant cities, and
and amplihed by the daily papers.
added to this facility Is the rural free
delivery service, which brings the paper to
the farmhouse door, until today the rural
resident boasts as comprehensive knowledge
of current events as has long been enjoyed
by the inhabitants OF cities.
1.-THE country editor is the friend Of the
public. lie sows the seed which promotes
all movements for the betterment of his
town and county, and thus adds to the
wealth and happiness Of the community.
No action In this direction is unnoticed by
him, and no good attained fails to receive
his commentator.
"with 1t all he Is a man of affairs. for
In shaping policies for the public good he
which makes 1t possible to add to his own
store OF earthly possessions. He Is not,
however, always a financier. because often
prodigal in personal expenditures. He sees
life from a high plane Of social intercourse
and joins the throng of m~erry-makers with
a zest which add much to the pleasure.
'eThere is no class of men who more
thoroughly enjoy life. Yet when trouble
the first to sympathize with you. His
heart beats responsive to human suffering
and he speaks kindly, encouraging words.
As friend and citizen It has been my pleas
ure TO know and appreciate his worth.
There is another side to this picture, for
equally potent Is the power OF the press
for harm. The innuendo of an unprincipled
editor may leave a sting that nothing can
/ QfnpQ A life of Dr0bifV and honor NAV he
held up to ridlcuie until no vestige of good
deeds Is left. TIL press has the power of
a giant, but this power should be welded
along the right lines, to the promotion of
the happiness OF the people, the prosperity
OF all our Industries, and the greatness and
glory Of our State.
The education obtained in the printing
Office Is as varied almost as that afforded
by the high school. The printers devil
begins In most Instances n small boy, whose
wages are necessary 10 exc out the famliy's
advantages afforded by our magnificent sys
TEN Of public schools. He may rise In time
and often In fact does become me edltol
himself. and while striving to reach till
goal he gathers a fund of knowledge Of In
finite value for the coming years. He be
comes an unconscious lltterateur, a critic ol
English 10 Its highest perfection, and Il
t%horoughly informed on al the topics Of thI
day. He Is familiar with the names ant
hobbies of public men. tn war between
japan and Russia Is to him an open book
and he, II anybody, can pronounce the names
Of the Russian commanders.
And now let me say n word for thii
great Exposition. A new and ever-varyini
picture meets the eye. Spread out befor'
us Is all that Is best from the productiv,
Industries Of this country and foreign na
lions, while our own Commonwealth Is ap
propriately represented by a display OF III
vast and diversified resources.
"The exhibits Of Missouri have been In
stalled with great care and exquisite taste
| They present n grand mage in the history o.
the world, and no Missourlan need blush foI
the showing. Tit exhibits. State and Ma
tional and International, are the result II
large part of the hearty cooperation of tn
Representatives of all Industries. However
more credit is due TO the metropolitan an
country press than to any other one agency
The newspapers paved the way. Their en-
terprlse and public spirit aroused the in
terest OF the people, and made II possible 70
the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Compan
to present n display of the resources Of I'll
United States and Of the world unsurpasse
In all the ages.