The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1904-06-09

to follow his leadership. Lead the people
In the right path and bis power Is unlimited
but when confidence Is shaken. either In
Judgment or Integrity. the power to guide
"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 large majority of farm
nication 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.
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.
him, and no good attained falls to receive
his comInendation.
with it all he Is a man of affairs. for
In shaping policies for the public good he
which makes II possible to add to his own
store OF earthly possessions. lie Is not
however. always a inancier, because often
prodlgal In personal expenditures. lie sees
life from high plane of social Intercourse
and Joins the throng Of merry-makers with
a xest which adds much to the pleasure.
There Is no class Of men who more
thoroughly enjoy life. Yet when trouble
comes the editor Is the first to know and
heart beats responsive to human suffering
and he speaks kindly, encouraging words
As friend and citizen 1t 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 sting that nothing can
efaee. life of .probity and honor may be
held up to ridicule until no vestige of good
deeds Is left. The press has the power OF
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
ONCE 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-
tenn of public schools. He may rise In time,
and often In fact does become the editor
goal he gathers fund Of knowledge of in
finite value for the coming years. He be-
comes an unconscious lltterateur, q critic Of
English In Its highest perfection, and Is
thoroughly Informed on all the topics of the
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 this
great Exposition. A new and ever-varying
picture meets the eye. Spread out before
us Is oil that is best from the productive
Industries of this country and foreign ma
lions. while our own Commonwealth Is ap-
propriately represented by a display of Its
vast and diversified resources.
The exhibits Of Missouri have been In
stalled with great care and exquisite taste
They present grand page In the history Of
the world, and no Missourlan need blush for
the showing. The exhibits, State and Ma
tional and International, are the result In
large part of the hearty cooperation of the
representatives Of all Industries. However
more credit Ii due to the metropolitan and
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 1t possible for
the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company
to present a display Of the resources of the
United States and Of the world unsurpassed
In all the ages.