The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-04-29
KNOX PRAISES THE PRESS.
Speaks at Banquet Of Publishers and
Associated Press.


New York. April 22.-Chere was
notable gathering Of editors and pub
lishers at the waldorf-Astoria to-
light. the occasion being Joint ban
quet of the Associated Press and the
American Newspaper Publishers As
sociation. both Of which are holding
their annual meetings In this city.
Every state and Territory of the Uni
ted States was represented by those
who have earned distinction In the
newspaper profession and their guests
included William Jennings Bryan,
United States Senator, Philander c.
Knox. of Pennsylvania and others of
public influence.
The green ballroom was filled to
the limit Of comfort when the 600
diners had found their places. The
boxes. which were half hidden , by
q wealth Of CARNATIONS and apple
blossoms. were occupied by the fami-
lies and friends Of the banqueters.
The scheme Of decoration was as
beautiful as It was elaborate. the ma
tional colors, Of course. prevailing.
In his speech Senator Knox said:
II venture to remind you Of your
own great share OF responsibility for
that public opinion which will either
make or mar the greatest republic
Of the world. Your duty to be true
to the institutions of your country and
the best ideals of the republic is as
great es any sworn officer OF the law
or even the robed justice. What
Is true Of the judges In the courts Of
law Is true of you who. in your edi-
torial Offices. pronounce. not the sem
tence Of the law, but the equally
great sentences Of public opinion.
''The great need Of our country to-
day Is peace between all interests and
In ourselves. With these
the financial convulsion OF the last
year will soon pass away. and the
American press. even more than any
other class Of public servants. can.
BY calming popular passion and pro-
noting confidence. bring back again
In even greater measure the prosperi-
" Of. our common country. Il
''rhe relation Of the press to the
people and the ethical standards by
which II should be governed was new
Or more accutsly set forth than by
Mr.. Samuel Bowies. He said:
THE Newspaper H.. perhaps. the
most important agent In modern life,
and its honest and intelligent service
Is vital to progress The communi-
" suffers whom the individual neg
lects his civic dutiss. but when the
newspapers u dereiict or corrupt the
effect Is momeptous. 1t must be abb
sclutely devoted TO public interests
md stand for public enlightenment
and welfare. Essential to the ade-
auate fulnllment Of its functions are
honest art and gsnuine proportion in
In construction. The Newspaper
maker on one hand II manufacturer.
but on the other his work Is like that
'f the learned professions. law med
|cine. the ministry. and should be
conducted in conformity to the stand
ards which are supposed to rule in
those callings.
The journalist has one client. one
patient, one fiock-that Is to say, tire
whole community -, and nothing
should stand in the way Of his single
minded and devoted service OF tina:
one common interest. He should
beware Of all sntangliny alliances -
which may limit or embara,s - sucl
service. He should let tho honors
and emoluments of, PUBLIC oilics go
t. tho people. His own nfkce. IL
lro peyly administered. Is more i'm
rortai' and powerful than any that
his fellow citizens are likely t. c,n.
Ter Yton him. The indsuen.lent
news;Hper may be. and should ne.
he mast vital and effective instrument
that democratic society can produce
Tor It's own advancement anu pro-
t.. tim. and Its true business welfare,
IN the long view. lies in Il complete,
int lligent. sympatheti: devotion to
pYhlic interests.
Il believe this statement Of the
scope Of the influence Of the press and
its real relations to the public is ac-
curdte. 1t marks the man responsible
for the discharge Of the duties Of such
a relation as public servant in the
very highest sense"
Letter to BrunsOn & BrunsOn,