Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-06-29
NoTiCE nc SUBSCRIBERS.
James X. Gray.
Here we and sorrow sit.

here We ana sOEEoW SIT
The Journals President and Editor is dead.
our leader and counselor and dear friend is gone.
In the fulIness of his vgor with the light of noble
labors on his brow he has gone serenely Home
And the words would speak are lost in weeping
What Mr. Gray meant to those who knew him
closely in the days work and the evenings COM
radeship is hear-hstory. to be treasured unwritten
What he meant to his community. his State and
country is recorded in the living letters of his inu-
ence and his deeds. Look forth upon this city and
see how he has builded. The Auditorium-Armory
came very largely as a result of his inspiration and
persistence: the first meeting of the citizens who
projected and contaminated that enterprise was
held in Mr.. Gray's office, and every stage of its
progress had his personal well journalistic
support It was through his initiative that the
Music Festival Association. which opened
Southern seat of Metropolitan Grand Opera,
organized. It was very largely with his support
that the movement for refounding Oglethorpe Uni
versty carried success; and his associates in
that splendid endeavor showed their reliance upon
him we'll as their admiration for him by making
nim the first president of the institutions board
of trustees. In the establishing of Emory Univer-
sity also. he had a generous and distinctive part.
To his liberal mind and great heart the possibilities
Of Emory as the University of Southern Methodism.
appealed less keclIy than those of Oglethorpe.
born of his own Presbyterian faith. Behind these,
The more recent causes to which he gave so unsint
ingy of his talent and influence and means stretch
civic and educational and humanitarian endeavors
almost innumeTabe that felt the touch OF his quick
ening and sustaining sympathy. His was in deed
and truth the Atlanta spirit the spirit of service
of progress of joyful cooperation of steadfast and
constructive loyalty to the common good.
It was a rooted principle in Mr.. Grays philoso-
ply OF life that city. like man. could not grow
truly strong and truly prosperous ii it lived for
itself alone. His vision for Atlanta. as for The
Journal. was that II might be force for. the up
building of Georgia and the South that it might be
city and an institution worthy of America With
This generous idealism, he combined keen
of things practical and grasp of things executive
that gave substance and power to his ideals With
his love of Georgia and the Southland il was the
love of one nurtured in their goodliest traditions
and bearing in his heart the smile OF their blue
heavens-he combined workmanly discernment of
what the State and the section needed to develop
their wondrous and bring their dreams to
pass Public office. ne never sought or desired;
but ne thought and served with a statesman's mind
a
In politics in all the affairs of life, Mr.. Gray
Twas Democrat. But to him. democracy was in
fnitely more than party creed or a passing affa-
bility. Democracy TO him belief in man, and
sympathy with men. His chief concern as the ed
itor OF The Journal and a personal influence was
the rights and the well-being OF the rank and file
He had nothing of that ELUSIVE praise OF 1.-THE peo-
pie" which is the politicians stock in trade He
realized that the people sometimes err in judgment
believed to be the right from opposing what he
believed to be wrong. however strongly or even
stormiIy the gusts of popular sentiment might blow
TO the contrary. But HIS guiding principle OF
choice and action in issues was to find where lay
the path of the greatest good for the community,
the State the nation the greatest good for man
kind. and to follow that path unswervingly to the
end This it that made him Liberal on all
questions of public moment, that made him power
in his party and "a happy warrior" in the cause OF
justice and truth.
This was the man the public knew, the man OF
vision and courage and incalculable usefulness to
his generation. But deep in hearts, lighting
the loneliness and sorrow there, is the presence
of that kindly leader and friend whom of The
Journal knew as Mr.. Gray. Some of us for
teen years and many Of for a decade
have felt the cheering strength and nobleness of
his nature. and have come to regard him a father
TO US all. From the composing room to the press
room and through all the intermediate departments
among all the men and women and boys in The
Journal service. the memory of Mr.. Gray lives and
will live forever as a benediction To his bereaved
family we who knew their dear husband and father
and loved him with a devotion like that of their
own hearts to each and every of them, we
offer our sympathy, and souls tribute to him
who has given us finer faith in mankind, larger
hope in things eternal.