The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1904-06-11

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 c0mmu-
~nlcation with adjacent villages, and IN many
Instances even with distant cities, and
threads Of news are picked up to be verified
and ampllhed 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.
'"Ihe country editor is the friend OF the
public. He 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 unnotlced BY
him, and no good attained falls to receive
his commentator.
with it all he Is a man Of affairs, for
IN shaping policies for the public good he
acquires a knowledge Of men and things
which makes IL possible to add to his own
store OF earthly possessions. lie is not,
however, always a fnancier, because often
prOdigal In personal expenditures. He sees
life from a high plane Of social intercourse
and joins the thrOng Of merry-makers with
a zest which adds much to the pleasure.
There is no class Of men who more
comes the editor is the first to know and
the first to s%ympathize with you. His
heart beats responsive to human suffering
and he speaks kindly, Encouraging words.
As friend and citizen Il 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
Tor harm. The innuendo OF an unprlncipled
editor may leave a sting that nothing can
effaee. A life of prohity and honor may be
held up to ridlcule until no vestlge Of good
deeds Is left. The 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 a small boy, whose
wages are necessary to exc out the family's
living, and before he is the recipient of the
advantages afforded by our magnificent sys
TEN Of public schools. He may rise In time
himself, and while striving to reach thii
goal he gathers a fund Of knowledge Of In
Unite value for the coming years. He be
comes an unconscious litterateur, a critic Of
English In its highest perfection, and Il
thoroughly informed On all the topics Of tn,
day. He Is familiar with the names an(
hobbies of public men. The 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 a word for thi
great Exposition. A new and ever-varyinl
picture meets the eye. Spread out beforl
us is all that is best from the productiy
industries of this country and foreign ma
lions, while our own Commonwealth is ap
proprlately represented by a display Of II
vast and diversified resources.
The exhibits of Missouri have been In
stalled with great care and exquisite taste
They present a grand page In the history o
the world, and no Mlssourian need blush 70
the showing. The exhibits, State and Ma
tional and International, are the result 4
large part Of the hearty cooperation of tn
representatives Of all Industries. However
more credit Is due to the metropolitan an
J country press than to any other one agenc,
Vhe newspapers paved the way. Their Ell
) terprise and public spirit aroused the II
terest Of the people, and made 1t possible fc
the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Compan
| TO present a display of the resources of HI
4, United States and Of the world unsurpasse
5 In all the ages.