The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1921-06-03
COL. HENRY WRITES
OF NEWSPAPER WORK
Tells of Early Experiences and of the
Tough" Road He Had To Travel
In Beginning of His Career.

Col. K. II. Henry, the distinguished
and veteran editor of the Clarion
Ledger, has been writing for the Sun
day issue of his paper for more than
a year memoirs of some editors 1
have known since the days of the
Civil War;. His sixtieth article, and
concluding one, appeared in last Sun
days paper.
The financial tide was against
him for a long while. He was in
such hard lines that he went to
Washington City just after Cleve-
lands first inauguration in 1885, to
get federal position so as to try to
pull through Lamar was Secretary
of Interior, and the Colonel told him
frankly his condition and asked for
job. He said Lamar looked at him
for minute and that he thought his
steel gray eyes would penetrate him,
and then it was that one of the
greatest statesmen Mississippi ever
had said to the then Mr. Henry:
We'll, III help you get place.
but it won't pay you to break up and
move to Washington. You cannot
hold a federal office and run your
paper, which will suffer by your alb
sence Remember this: Few men
can do more than one thing at
time; and the men who succeed best
give all their time to one business.
You have within you the elements of
good newspaper man. You are
young, energetic, aggressive and bold
in expression, and I look upon you
as the coming publisher of MISSISSIPPI
pi, provided you devote your time
,al, 70
That talk almost staggered me.
mentary that | had nothing more to
Henry, | know you aspire to be
State Printer of Mississippi and | in
tend to help you get it. You can
win, for one concern cannot hold on
forever. I'll have you appointed a
National Bank Examiner; you can
try it awhile and if you do not like
it you can resign and enter upon an
active canvass for State Printer"
The following is the Colonel's
parting advice, which is we'll worthy
of the consideration of all and
especially newspaper men. He lays
and finally closes by pointing to that
IIOHe dDONt WLlCil 10 ana UC
the goal for which all humanity is
striving:
DO one thing only; do it well and
with all your might, and success
must crown your efforts as certainly
as the night follows the day.
Print clean, reliable, fearless pa
pers. Say whatever you please, if
you consider it right, for the public
admires bold editor
Have opinions of your own. and
the courage to express them. Don't
print a shallow. tim:d. cOlorless
Declare yourself on all questions, pO-
litical. secular and religious. Don't
be a neutral, or moral coward. Don't
attempt to float III dead eddy, but
swim with the live current.
Take sides on party, civic and
factiOral queStiOns-dOn't straddle.
Stand by your party friends, and
,riticise your political enemies; but
oe just. generous and truthful in
your dealings with men and meas
ares.
Praise your friends, ~political or
social. believing them TO be right and
fudge a little in their behalf if nee
-SSdI y OOIOSullI NOUI pO4IliIdl
emies, giving them Old Harry and
lnshirted Hail Columbia, whenever
hey deserve it. You can have moth
ng to expect from factional oppo-
lents; therefore waste no time upon
hem. You know where they stand;
hey are always against you.
"Criticise those with whom YOU dis
gree, in a dignified and manly way,
vhen the occasion justifes; but do
lot slander or abuse them, unless
'Ou would aid in their schemes and
Throw a brick occasionally if you
10 break a glass. Speak right out in
1eeting, to let your opponents know y
ou are on the quarter deck, and
eady for action.
"Have definite policy and adhere
o it. Let no man shape your edi-
orial views or change your business
lethods. Manage your paper your
elf and allow no one TO run over
our styles.
Don't allow the front office to
OntrOl your editorial opinions.
ont permit business firms, through
1reats of withdrawal of patronage,
, intimidate you, or force you to ad-
ocate a policy contrary to your
Jews.
Beware of corporations, with their
aleful influence. Sell them space
ut not editorials. Treat them just
Continued on page 81