Henderson gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1911-19??, 1911-11-09
CONGRATULATIONS.

issue Of the Henderson Gold Leaf
was to contain eight pages, and
was TO be printed on anew up-to-
date press just installed. | at
once called to see the machinery,
and engaged space in this first
issue of the new paper for note
Of congratulation. Now, since |
have the promise that my COM
munication will be printed, I shall
say what | please.
My congratulations are extend
ed, not to the editor, nor to the
Gold Leaf company 1--WE never
congratulate the bride while the
groom is on probation, J but to
the community on the prospect
of having q paper of which it
can be proud. In an age of tense
competition every community and
every organization finds it al
most necessary to have an indi-
vldual organ to assist it in COM
ing to Self-consciousneSs so as
better to be able to function as
part of a larger whole. Such an
organ is the newspaper of any
/ city or town. Up to the present
moment Henderson has not had
an organ that is adequate. Our
newspaper does not meet the
needs of our rapidly developing
city, and the prosperous commu-
nifty surrounding. 1t has not
even furnished sufficient space
for advertising the material or
the intellectual products of the
community.
In these statements there is no
intention Of disparaging either
the editor of our paper or the
men who are financing the bust
ness. Both deserve high praise.
The gentlemen who constitute the
Gold Leaf Company are interest
ed in dividends, but we believe
they are more interested in fur
nlshlng a paper that shall serve
the highest interests of the COM
munity. Mr.. Way has been with
US long enough to convince US
that he has the experience, the
ability, and the moral ideals es-
sential for qualifying him as edi-
tor Of the paper we desire for the
community.
In order to the success of the
enterprise we are considering,
one thing yet is lacking. To be
definite at least three things
are essential to the success of
the Henderson Gold Leaf. It
must have adequate financial
backing, a competent editor, and
a constituency of public spirited
citizens. 1t is at the last point
that we are deficient, perhaps,
more than anywhere else. Mo-
editor, no public servant in any
capacity whatever, can do his
best work except when he real
ICES that he is surrounded by a
body of public spirited men and
women who are interested in his
work as a form of service to the
community. More than we know
the greatest spirits Of the world
have been dependent in their
work upon this sympathetic fell
loWship. Goethe, one of the
worlds greatest dramatists, held I
that men of genius are more in
dependent upon this moral sup
port that are men of ordinary
ability. They are more delicate
ly constituted, and are more SEN
sltive to their surroundings. 1
will venture the assertion that
neither editor of the Gold Leaf /
has been wholly insensible to the
indifference on the part of the
community toward their efforts
to establish a suitable organ for
the public good.
The subscription list of the
Gold Leaf has been increasing in
recent months, | am told, but it
is still far too short. So far as /
understand the piano contest for
securing new subscribers, there
is only one thing wrong, and that
is not with the scheme, but with
the condition that makes it nee
essary-the people ought to be so
ready to support the paper that
such inducements would be un-
necessary. Every self-respect-
ing citizen in Vance county, who
is not already a subscriber. should
Justify this enlargement of the
paper, and assist in making DOS
slble further improvement. bv
placing his name at once on the
subscription list.
And not only should we sub
scribe TO the paper, it should be
read-read in full, advertise
ments included.
And now, Mr.. Editor. begging
your pardon for this imposition
| retire. | write 0ftener that I
desire TO write 0ftener thananv
one else desires TO have me write