The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-07-14


the Lynchburg News. ana is now
ex-presldent of the Virginia Press AS
ISOLATION his term OF Office having ex-
pired with the annual meeting of tho
association held at Blue Ridge Springs
last week 1t is customary for tho
president 10 deliver address AT each
annual meeting That delivered By
President Addison last week was strict
~ an Industrial article and the Indus
trial Section OF the Tines-Dispatch feels
honored that he urged a policy for
all Virginia journals that was inauG-
uratcd six years ago By this paper
and has been most successfully pushed
by 1t ever since.
Mr.. Addison's excellent piper should
be read not only by all newspaper men.
but by all businessmen and all kinds
OF business hustlers as Well. Here ia
the address In full;
Ladies and Gentlemen Fellow Mem
bers of the Virginia Press Associa-
zion:
las your president. it affords me
pleasure to extend to each and all OF
YOU an earnest welcome to this, your
convention for 1917
The Importance of these annual oc-
casions should be obvious We repre-
sent the Journalism OF a great COM
monwealth. We are united into an or
gained body for the purpose OF pro-
noting the interests OF a high calling.
We are bound together in the ties OF
fraternal sympathy that should be
broad and strong and deep and last
ing. And as each year goes by. We
gather at one place. in one communion.
TO advise one with the other as to
how fares tho Fourth Estate. and to
catch inspiration from the association.
so that the more bravely. the mora
or, 6.r, tt.nt
go forward TO another period OF SER
vice Permit me TO express the hop5
that when the proceedings of the pres
ent convention shall have witnessed
conclusion. they Will be regarded as
having been altogether worth while.
and as having afforded profitable and
pleasant experience to those in atten-
dance"
Mission of the Press.
Il have said that ours IL a high
calling. And ] make no mistake in
the assertion. But sometimes the doubt
occurs whether we pause often enough
TO realize the real loft!ness and the
rea. honor of newspaper work and the
Jealous. ceaseless vigilance that should
be had TO maintain its dignity and in
sure it's efficiency. journalism is the
highest agency for human pro-
srcss in the world. 1t holds aloft
the torch BY whose light civilization
peers into the uncertainties Of the flu
I ture. sees the way, and marches on
ward-always forward. 1t Yields tha
sword by which Justice is enabled to
STAY the wrong and to vindicate the
right. 1t carried the flag that is an
ever present rallyInE point in times
of public danger. and 1t affords a
fortress OF security for the peace and
good order and happ!nc 5 Of society
All this Is true. indeed but I deem it
worth OF iteration wherever two ar
three or more of us are gsthered to-
sether in fraternal conference.
"Of course journalism has its prob
lems-lt has its unworthy opponents
1t has to meet and beat down and
drive back influences that are constant
| ~ hcsieging its outer works under
the cap;aincy Of human selhshnoss and
craft ana cunning Its courage is con
atantly under challenge Its high pur-
poses resolve INCREASINGLY assuilc.i with
all the nsidious weapons known to
unsc.upplous warfare. 1t marches
ceaselcssiy It has no bivouacs. It's
soldiery is but scantliy rationcd and
but nearly paid But. though this
be So tlme-worn and time-stained
though their regimentals Re- and
wearied though they be with relent-
endurance, the dicinles OF Journalism
are content It's the honor OF the ser
vice that rewards-that the compensa-
ton that inspires for more shan the
desire for money gain.
What OF the Dnys
Considering these things, II is WORTH
while to pause and inquire how under
the always increasing stress Of modern
Journalism. has tho Virginia newspaper
Jared. The answer can be given by
you, any one OF you as accurately as
can give II. 1t seems TO ME that since
entercd upon journalistic work In
1903. the enterprise OF Virginia news
papcrs has witnessed marvellous de-
velopment, their capacity for service
has experienced wonderful expansion:
the fruits OF their labors for the pub
lie welfare have been abundantly multi
Piled.
There is, nevertheless. room Tor even
steadier and larger gain in Virginia
newspaper cndeavor Ne are doing
much for community and stase-but
there is much. perhaps that can be
done which is left undone-and to
whose performance We should set our
hand. and lend the support OF ,nheXibIc
resolve APPLYING this view to a single
line OF journalistic concern. may I ask
what is the average virginia newspaper
attempting and achieving in behalf OF
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES political progress
s!veness--bvt that which counts for
! the material uphuildlns OF The state
/ These be progressive tines-thc old
world is restless IN the ;hroes OF in
duStrial evolution. ana vibrant with
| the impulse OF economic advance
what are we newspaper men doing to
place and hold our state In the fore
| front 81 Industrial progress What tho
vision with which We behold what tho
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