The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1906-07-19

added to the reputation Vi lHt spcdheAs'
And W. C. Dowd of the Charlotte News,
did the State proud by his brilliant re-
sponse to the address OF welcome.
The annual Grafton was delivered by
Rev. J. D. Atkinson, ID. d., editor OF the
Elon College Christian Sun. His subject
was 1.-The Struggle and the Right TO be
Free" He had a splendid audience com
posed OF the editors and their wives from
both States and the guests in the hotel;
He more than met the expectations OF
his closest friends and the appreciation
of the audience was attested by frequent
and spontaneous applause. DR.. Atkinson
is q native OF Wake county, and l felt a
new pride in him as [ saw Virginia edi-
tors and visitors from other States cap
tivated by his thoughtful Grafton and
happy delivery. He was full OF his sub
iect. every word he uttered came from
the heart. and reached the hearts OF all
whe heard him. The best evidence OF
how it impressed the editors is the TACT
that at the session this morning DR.. At
kinson was unanimously reelected ora
tor for 1907, an honor without parallel
in the history of the Association.
The lecture On''Old Times in the South, "
by the ever lovable Polk Miller. gave an
evening s enjoyment never to befOrgotten
He was at his best and that means that
for nearly an hour he had an appreciatlve
audience alternating between laughing.
CRYING and applause. What fund of
anecdotes Polk Miller has, and what
droll stories and what original dialect
poems illustrative OF the old-time South
ern darkey. Mr. Miller mingles much
wisdom and not little craftsmanship
with his stories and his jokes. He be-
lieves that the new generation OF white
folks in the South are not generally inter
ested in the stories of the Old-time ne
grOes that delight the men and women
who lived in the time of slavery and re-
| member these old negroes. Is he right?
am inclined to believe that the younger
generation is quite as much interested in
these stories as the older people. They
| ought to be for they give glimpse into
the old days that can be gained nowhere
except from Joel Chandler Harris, Thorn
as Nelson Page and Polk Miller.
The sessions of the Convention were
harmonious and delightful. Except for
| the orations and essays the editors were
| like boys turned loose from school, and
had a royal good time, with quips and
jests and repartee and fun at the expense
of each other 1t is a hard-working
body of men who do not get many holt
days. No men do more to push forward
the car of progress, and it is pleasant to
know that in town and in city the edi-
tors are better paid than ever before,
showing that the people are approaching
more than formerly the value OF their
work to the State.
At the last meeting of the National
Editorial Association Mr.. Henry B. Var
cd IF hn
was chosen First Vice President, and he
is in line of promotion for the presidency.
The Association passed strong resolu-
tons in favor of Mr. Warner for the
presidency and the Virginia delegation
will heartily join the North Carolina edi-
| tors in helping to elect Mr.. Warner to
that responsible position.
The entertainment OF the editors and
| their wives at The Mecklenburg has been
| all that could be desired, and every per-
| son in the editorial party will leave here
saying that never in the history of the
| Association has any place given more ele-
giant and enjoyable entertainment. The
| service here is as near perfect as is posi-
BILE, the table is supplied with every deli
| cacy, and all have enjoyed every minute
OF the time here.
The following officers were elected:
President-T J. Lassiter, Smithfeld
Herald
First Vice President-J.. Z. Hardy,
| Warrenton Record
Second Vice President-W. B. Cochran,
| Troy MOntgomeran
Third Vice President-H. r. Kinlaw
Rocky Mount Echo.
Secretary and Treasurer. B, Sheriff.,
| Concord Times.
Historian-M. l.. Shipman, Hender-
sOnvile Hustler.
Orator-Rev. J. o. Atkinson, Elon
College Christian Sun
Executive osephus Dan
iels, II. A. London, W. c. Dowd, J. A
| Thomas, Zeb Council
| Delegates to National Editorial Con
vention-J. O. Atkinson, Josephus Dan
iels, J. A. Robinson, Archibald Johnson,
NJ. l.. Shipman, c. L. Stevens. Fl. p
Deaton, j. A. Thomas, H. R. Kinlaw
R. NJ Philips, j. 7. Britt, Thad R. Man
ming, W. b. Thompson, W. c. Hammer
| W. G. Dowd, J. d. Bivins, j. W. Bailey
c. III. Poe, r. F. Beasley, J. G. Boylin, J
7. Caldwell, Clyde r. Hoey, W. K
Jacobson, H. A. London, W. F. Marshall
Norman II. Johnson, J. B. Sheriff..