Newspapers / The Wilmington Messenger (Wilmington, … / Jan. 2, 1906, edition 1 / Page 2
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"THE PRESS HID L10HALITY Their Relations CcopetiUon, Uck oi Courage and Inconsistency - ' t ' ' ' . OpiortuniUcs for Service Before the " Persons Ensed in Publication of Xewspapcr and Periodicals Pow-. crful Influences That Seek to Induce Publishers From the Conservative V Ways of Strict Morality. (Chester Lantern.) It was not mv own proposition that I should discuss "The Press and Mor ality" before this association, and I do not know what view of thesub Ject was In the minds of those who selected it. Did they mean that I should tell all that I know about the press and all I know about morality separately? Then the task would not be so -difficult.. It Is probable, how ever, that I am expected to say some thing about the press in its relation to morality, and I confess that I "am per plexed to know how to start or what to say. However, as a loyal member of the association I shall endeavor to per form the duty assigned me. But how the subject theme may gang Let time and chance determine; Perhaps it may turn out a sang, Perhaps turn out a sermon. To be safe, like the negro preacher you have doubtless heard of, I shall divide my subject into two heads first, "de things what's in de tex," " and, second, "de things what ain't" and, while I do not.as he did. propose to "wrestle wid de las' part fust," yet when you cannot see the connection between my remarks and the subject I beg you to consider then that I am dis cussing the second head. It Is hardly necessary to define what is meant by the press. It is sufficient for the present purpose that it includes the publication of newspapers and other periodicals, together with per sons engaged in such work. Morality as viewed from our present viewpoint Is the practice of virtue as required by the moral law, summarily comprehended in the Ten Command ments. At least that is the view that I im taking'of it. The pious old cobbler said that his business was to serve the Lord, but he cobbled for a living. The journal ist is more highly favored. He gets his living for serving the Lord. If he does not render the service he is guilty of breach of trust. Having selected this business, we are presented with al most infinite opportunity for doing good and we are charged with corre sponding responsibility which we can not evade. Without waiting to point out the path of duty, which is ever plain, or the fields of usefulness, which are all ways in sight, let us mark some of the points where we may be tempted to go astray. To the newspaper man who holds rigidly to a high standard of morality in the conduct of his business material rewaru is smau enougn to iry ms iauu, while few and small are the Install ments of approbation that come to cheer him on his way. The first and only real triumph accorded him by the public which he serves comes on a day when he heads a procession in which he takes no pride and feels no interest. Bven those who regard him with affec-. tion and in a measure appreciate his worth reserve their words of ap proval until they can no longer cheer and save all their flowers to decorate his grave. His compensation, though infinitely superior to that of the time server, is in the invisible future. The man, therefore, who does not regard the moral law as supreme even In practical matters, Who is impatient that the dividends declared by an ap proving conscience are not available in dealing with the payroll, in maintain ing pleasant relations with the grocer and in securing such rating by Dun an,i Bradstrect as will entitle him to get his bills of lading at the postoffice in stead of the bank, it may not be sur prising if one thus constituted is temp ted by rewards that appear more sub stantial, with settlement that' is more prompt, and adopt the maxim. "Busi ness is business" which taken literal ly, is a truism without meaning, but in the sense usually Intended It has a parallel In an expression I. once heard from a lady speaking about a member of her family. "Tommie never allows his religion to interfere with his busi ness." There may be Tommies con nected with the press who are friend ly with morality as long as it imposes no restrictions upon their business, but "with the aid of the great deceiver per suade themselves that morality de mands no sacrifice. Their advertising columns are at the service of those who wPl ray for the space, thou erh it be used in the Interest of a business that is demoralizing or positively, vicous. Ther news nnd editorial columns, may lkewfse he. in a measure, at the com mand of those who can contribute valuable influence. They are in busi ness and the answer to the question,, "Will it nay?' decides their course. What readers demand may come to some "ax If a man had inquired at the oracle of God." The demands of the reading public must be granted, how ever it may affect society's attitude to ward the moral law. This is business, argues the thrifty publisher, and his sources of revenue must not be taxed with an assessment . for the promotion of morality. The present state of civilization de mands that the moral law be revised. The great Lawgiver, forsooth, did not know when he laid down laws for all ages that his creatures would make such progress as to civilize his stat utes off the face of the earth. Now we sometimes hear of what seems to be a demand that the laws of eternal wisdom, instead of governing fallen nuiiiajiuv. iiia-v i crpctutru, ill itrrftl. amended or ignored to conform to the practices and propensities of disobe dient subjects. The rivalry of competitors is an in fluence powerful enough to seduce 'some publishers from the conservative ways of strict morality. If I regulate my , business in conformity with tho moral law I shall be outstripped by the more progressive, if less conscientious, competitor. No remedy has ever been provided for the law breaker taking advantage or the law-aDiding. and & legitimate' remedy cannot be found in a counter violation of law. The fear of - man often brings a snare which , turns the newspaper from the path of rAcltiide. jf my be fen.r of his laugh. Vet cnon re- Me. n't'"vno,P'o, jm- It mnv , u. M5 nStOl. It TPSV uno-A consideration for the opin-, inn o- i"-r-fe-sions -of prominent pat-i rons or influential contemporaries. The editorial policy may be hampered by its relation to directors., stockholders or creditors. Then 'some of those con nected with the management of 'paper may be engaged in 0hrf busi ness, the interests of "whij, dictate ex cessive produce. some of them may unwisely seef office and so become subjec to embarrassing obligations. uur influence in the cause or moral ity may be destroyed or greatly hin dered by our own 'inconsistencies, by failing to practice ourselves the pre cepts we lay down for others. Do we teach that one's words concerning others should be true and fair and kind? What is the character of our own expressions, and what is in our hearts? If we condemn intemperance and other forms of dissipation, what is our own parctice when we visit the city or pleasure resort? If "the bays" would talk, what could they tell? Do we seem to plead in vain for obedience to the sixth commandment?' Maybe we do not respect the third. Do our ex hortations to honesty, as required by the eight commandment, seem to go unheeded? Possibly we disregard the fourth. In conclusion, the work of the faith ful newspaper is ojie of toil, and the reward is often not proportionate to the labor bestowed. In holding up by precept and example the standard of morality for which his opportunity makes him responsible, he need not ex pect the encouragement he deserves. He will be misunderstood and misrep resented; he wil be charged with pre judice and bigotry and regarded as narrow and puritanical. Nevertheless he will not lose his reward. With cour age to defend well founded convictions. with faith in time and faith in eternal iustice, let us hold ourselves to a high standard of morality, while we enter tain charity for all our fellow men. STTCCKSS OP AN ORPHAN BOY Sends Christmas Gift Back to Oxford Orphan Asylum. An Oxford Special to News and Ob server says, a happy Christmas was spent by the children at the Orphan asylum in Oxford. Generous friends made contributions sufficient to give the children a bountiful Christmas tree which was enjoyed Saturday evening in the chapel, when the gifts were distributed. A friend of the asylum gave oysters to provide an oyster din- ier on Sunday. Monday they enjoyed a Christmas dinner, and on Monday evening the orphans gave an enter tainment in the chapel of the asylum. The Superintendent and Mrs. Rogers with the assistance of the teachers and Miss Bemis, and doing all in their power to give the orphans a merry Christmas. During the first years of the exist ence of the Oxford Orphan Asylum one of the little boys was employed in the home of the late A. H. Williams as help on the premises. . His name is Dewitt Parker, and is well remember ed by many of the citizens here as a very responsible youth. He left Ox ford quite a number of years ago and has been unheard from for a long time. Yesterday Mrs. Williams re ceived a letter from Mr. Dewitt Parker telling her he had long- desired to ex press to her his gratitude for the great kindness and attention she had bestow ed on him when he was employed in the home, and would never forget her sympathy for him as an orphan and enclosed a check for $50 dollars, of which $25 was to buy a Christmas present for her, $25 to be sent to the Orpha,n asylum for a Christmas gift. He wrote that he was now at the head of a large manufac turing business in Georgia and meeting with financial success. The Robeson ian. The Failure of Athletics. The Washington Post draws a moral from the defeat of Fitzsimmon by O'Brien, and applies it with much vig or. Fitzsimmons, it says, was in his day easily the best of them all; now. at an age when a man should be in his prime, he is "stale." "Why," The Post asks, "are profes sional athletes played out in the very prime of life used up at forty, or even earlier, while the normal man is just beginning to take on the powers of a physical perfection? Of course, these heroes of the prize ring, the gridiron. and the diamond are prasied to heaven, especially by lovely woman. In every college town, West Point and Annap olis especially, the solicitudes of the fair sex are concentrated on the suc cessful "full back" the chief "swatter." and the prince of fisticuffs. Away back, behind the visible and admitted influ ences, and more potent than all of them put together, .is the adulteration of young females expended on the leg breakers, the strangers and the as sorted toughs who lead in baseball, football, rowing, and so on. Pale scholars, men of brains, initiative, and true genius come and go without ex- cting the least applause or sympathy. Any big, sweating, malodorous, and stupid barbarian who has just achiev ed some triumph in the line of muscle and brute endurance will be smothered in the perfume and flowers that lightly rain from ladies' hands.' "What points the moral of the situa tion is the fact that athletic training does for college boys what it has done for Fitz, and that, therefore, we should set up another standard of excellence and worth. Let us pass the question of morality as a result of professional athletics. Discussion of that aspect. might be inadmissible to the columns of a respectable newspaper. But we see that Fitzsimmons is now . canceled a an old and worn-out man at 42. What, men, are Ave to expect of the college heroes who pursue his regime with out a spark of his ability?' Asheville Gazette-News. Exhumed for an Earrimr. v (Irish Independent) A remarkable development has tak en place in thecase of the prisoners O liiordan and O Driscoll. who are in custody in Tralee on the charge of wilfully niurderinjr Mrs. O'Riordan. a schoolmistress, wife of the first and sister of the second prisoner. The body of Mrs. O'Riordan, which has been a considerable time in the grave, nas been exhumed to decide a curious point that has arisen. An ear ring was found on th prisoner O'Driscoll, and O Itiordan claimed It as his property. The doctor who made the post mortem examination of " the murdered woman could not say for certain whether there were two earrings or onlv one ,on the body. To settle the point the body was exhumed, and on examina tion it was round that one earring was missing. . .... - ; , .; i Girls, if you want red lips, laughing eyes, sweet breath and good looks use Elollister's Rock v Mountain Tp Th greater beautifier known. 35 cents, Tea or Tablets. R. R, Bellamy. HOW APj, m DtTKC Vi!l , anehcHor Join Reception to Xjfttiorths At the Wedding of the Stater ot Prcsidenrs Future Son-in-tiaw In Cincinnati the Englishman Felt Slighted The Ohio Kepresenta tative Expressed Intention of Poncb Ins the Briton's Nose. Will the Duke and Duchess of Man- Chester participate in any of the so cial affairs when Representative Long worth takes his bride to England? The sequel to the query is that the future son-in-law of the President a few years ago apprised the duke of his intention to .punish his nasal organ, but since that time circumstances have favored the duke, and he has not met the athletic Representative. The circumstance which brought about the Incident occurred in this way: At the wedding of Mr. Long- fworth's sister to the Viscount Charles de Chambrun, which was a notable society event of Cincinnati, the Duke and Duchess of Manchester were among the guests. The latter being Miss Zimmerman, daughter of the railway magnate. During the reception following the wedding the duke observed the bride's table, and asked if he and the duchess were to be seated at that table. His highness immediately started a dis turbance when told it was the Ameri can custom to have none but the inti mate friends and wedding party at the bride's table. Manchester violently protested, and asserted that by re"ason of rank he and the duchess were entitled, to the high est honors, and he persistently refus ed, to be pacified with the explanation offered. The reproaches of the duke became so objectionable to the guests that Mr. Longworth was asked to settle the embarrassing dilemma. With all the persuasiveness and ur banity for which the Ohio statesman is noted, he told the duke of the pro prieties which precedent required to be observed, and that it would be im possible to make an rearrangement of the guests at the bride's table. How ever, Manchester remained obdurate, and indicated his intention of abruptly leaving the reception. At this juncture Mr. Longworth told the duke that if the arrangements did not conform to his conception, both he and the duchess were at liberty to leave without fear of incurring the displeasure of any member of the wed ding party. The duke evidently took exception, for the fact remains he and tne duchess immediately left the Long worth home in no amiable mood. Subsequently the duke went to a club and unfolded a story of how he had been wantonly slighted. He said unpleasant things .about the Long worth family, and Nicholas Longworth in particular. While he was discharg ing himself of the tirade of criticism a friend communicated with Long worth, informing him of what the duke said. "You tell him," said Longworth, "that I am too busy with this wedding celebration just now to come to the club, but when my sister and her hus band get away I will come around and punch his nose." The message was delivered, but when Longworth appeared at the club to make good his purpose the duke was not in evidence. He was not seen again arouna the city, and has avoided Longworth since that time. The friends of Mr. Longworth are now conjecturing in event of meeting Manchester at any of the social func tions abroad during his bridal trip whether he will be willing to treat the incident as closed or renew hostili ties. Washington Post. Hut He Did the Talking. 'The Greensboro Tar Heel takes an optismistic view of that celebrated in terview between the Blackburnites and; the President. Everybody, it thinks, will be given a square deal. It says: "He did the most of the talking. He knows how to talk and is not afraid to talk cut loud. He talks well and is the second man the writer has ever met who can easily hold his hand in any circle of the other sex. Hon. C. J. Harris had been selected as spokes man for the delegation, but the Presi dent insisted on making both speeches. The writer gently ventured a soft sug gestion, but it was engulfed and lost in the dizzy, whirling eddy of the wondrous flow of strenuous speech with which the delegation was favor ed and dazed. Mr. Blackburn's little nominating speech was cut eff just be low the ears, and Wagner's appoint ment was decided and announced be fore the Congressman had time to name his man. The Precident does things does them quickly and he can do them without your help. His speech is terse, strong and rapid. His gait is swift in all lines. His trans portation is by steam. He never mov ed behind a North Carolina mule. He would rather scale the heights of a Gettysburg under shot and shell than ti push a plow behind a North Caro lina bull up a North Caro lina hill. The atmosphere in which he was developed is not akin to our ways or style. He is a bit fast in act and word for the average Tar Hce, but while we lose him on the track, we catch a glimpse on the home stretch and follow him under the wire. He was "de-lighted" and we tried to be. His job is a stupendous one, but he'll do it or die. He is moulded of hot stuff. He differs from a Corliss en gine in strength. His power, physi cal and mental, Is unmatched. . In public as in private life, he is per fectly perpendicular. His word is his bond, and every coupon thereof Is above par. He gave us Wgner. He will give us more. The delegation was satisfied. He will deal a 'Square Deal to both Rollins and Blackburn. There Js but one of his class." Asheville azette-Newa. - Will Answer to Charge of Murder. iRoanoke. Va.. December 29. After lirliminarv hearinsr In a magistrate's urt at Pocahontas, Va., which lasted nart of two davs. Benjamin Read, ras todav sent on - to the grand Jury to answer for the charge of murdering Ms; aged sister. Miss Elizabeth .Read, irho was found dead In her mountain tome near Pocahontas on December 8. . The evidence against Read was iuch that fall was denied. - , SPEAKER TO WEAR 311VXS 31 r. .Cannon Saw Congressman Aken's IIome-Made Suit, Admired It. and Got Oiw Like It for Christmas. When Speaker Cannon raps the house to order at-noon on January he will be attired In a brand-new suit of woolen jeans, the cloth of which wa-i woven by a woman In South Carolina. In striking contrast 1 to the score or more of ready-to-wear hand-me-downs, Mr. Cannon will appear spick and span in his South Carolina suit. To Representative Aiken, of South Carolina, is Mr. Cannon indebted for his new suit. Mr. Aiken arrived in Washington at the beginning, of the present session dressed in a suit of home-made grap jeans, and this suit so took the eye of the speaker that be called Mr. Aiken before the big desk of the house and asked hirn where he jrot It, with the remark that It "was; the best-looking suit of clothes in the house.. He continued to admire the suit more and more, and Mr. Aiken told him that the cloth was woven bvan cfid lady in one of the mountain counties in his state, and Mr. Cannon expressed his wish to obtain one lusr like It. Mr. Aiken sat down and wrote the lady, 'telling her that Mr, Cannon wanted a suit just like the one he was wearing. Her vanity was consider ably touched that a man of Mr. Can non's standing should want to wear a suit of jeans. She set to work to weave enough cloth, and the result was that Mr. Cannon received for his Christmas present a nice new cut of jeans, the exact kind that Mr. Aiken is wearing. Washington Dis patch. TO THY MAIXE RISIIOP Indictments Against Dr. Cod man and Ttctor Found Good. The Indictments for criminal libel found against Bishop Robert Codnian, of the Episcopal Diocese of .Maine, and the Rev. Robert W. Plant, of the Episcopal church at Gardiner, by the grand jury of Lincoln county last May, ae adjudged to be gcod and the ex ceptions and demurrers are overruled in a rescript just handed down by AssociatJiistice William P. White hoiisgof the supreme court of Maiae: In the indictment against Bishop Codman it is alleged that he caused to be read and published a libellous statement that William H. Gardiner, of Camden, had been publicly excom municated from church by the bish op. The defendant filed a demurrer to the indictment, which was overruled by the presiding judge, and the case went to the law court on exceptions to this ruling. The indictment against Mr. Plant charges him with reading and publishing the letter al 1 edged to have been written by Bish op Codman, stating that Mr. Gardiner had been excommunicated. It Is thought that the cases will be tried in January or April. Augusta (Me.) Des patch. Woman Famous in Time of War. Down at Port Tobacco, southern Maryland, where Colonial customs still prevail and the telephone and tele graph are stil almost unknown, there was buried last week Miss Olivia Floyd, famous throughout the south as one of the "runners" of the "under ground railroad.' She became one of the runners in the underground railroad between Washington and Richmond, and al though her place was surrounded and searched several times, so sharp was her lookout and so careful her conduct and so many her resources that the federal troops were never able to catch either her dispatches or convoys of merchandise. She conveyed clothes money and letters through the lines from prisoners. One fugitive intrusted $80,000 in bank notes to Miss Floyd. She hid the money in the stuffing of a hassock. Federal soldiers frequently searched the house and even sat upon the has sock, ignorant that it contained a for tune. The full amount of this deposit was subsequenly returned to the own er. She assisted many escaped prisoners to pass the line, hiding them in the woods and feeding them until an op portunity for escape occurred, and then passed them across the Potomac. In one of her dreadful experiences her hair turned gray in a single night, and her relatives wondered at this marvel ous change. When colored troops were being en listed in 1S64, some one came to Miss Floyd's home for the purpose of en ticing her negroes away. Miss Floyd took the negroes to the county seat, enlisted them and got the bounty. Richmond Times-Dispatch. Xot That So rtof Competition. (Galveston Tribune.) Senator Foraker was contradicting a certain statement. "Though this is a firm contradiction, he said, "I want it to be a pleasant and polite one It is not necessary, when men tell falsehoods, to call them liars and club them over the head. Their error can be pointed out in neater and more graceful ways. For instance. In a small town in Indiana a group of drummers were assembled. They satin the reading room of the country hotel. On the flimsy hotel paper they had fin ished writing to their firms with the lumpy ink and the rusted pens, which the hotel management provided, and now, with newspaper reading and de sultory talk, they whiled away the tedious evening. A young drummer in p. red tie took the cigarette from his mouth and said: , "Well, my day's sales here reached &,000. Not bad for a small town, eh?" "An elderly gentleman looked up from his newspaper, and said quietly. "'Not bad at alL It is wonderful what one can sometimes do in these little places. On my first trip here my commisslons came to just what yon say yoor salei dkL' "The young man reddened. "'This isn't a lying competition. he ald gruffiy. : "'Oh, excuse me,' said-the other. T thought it was.' " Rough skin and cracked hands are cot only cured by DeWItTs Witch Ha zel Salve, but an occasional application willl keep the skin soft and smooth. Best; for Eczema, Cuts, Burns; Boils, etc 5 The genuine BeWitfs vWitdi Hazel Salve affords immediate " relief in all forms of Blind, Bleeding, Itch ing and. Protruding Piles. ; Sold by K. R. Bellamy. . - . . - V . v r V m ' . .w tvjlarau 2ni coffea cold loesa (in btdk), exposed Do yoa honestly snSt irerms end insects, pssang Mm ThSmhmmwamam IlCS CCTTEg Ct UMSS3L CT MIL FACTAO V Mfflions of Ameriosn Homes welcome IJON rao. There is no stronger proof of merit than continued ttd increas ing popularity. ''Quality BurriTes all opposition. . fSoldcymllb.pac3age. Lionie&d oa erery package.) (Bare your fion-heada for Tslaable premlama.) , . SOLD BY GQCCEQS EVERYWHERE T G! CHERP! - Mixed Nufs, Oranges, Apples, Finest Cream Cheesef Excellent Butter, Very Fine New Rice Straw, Car Lots and Less LET US QUOTE YOU. SEED POTATOES - White and Red Bliss, Bovee, Early Ohio, Early Rose, THE WORTH CO., dDLP MEMSY WE Send all the wrappers to us that you can save before January 1st, 1906, and write a separate letter stat ing your address, age and sex, and we will send a very nice present in return. Write plainly to STRAUS-GUNST & DU., RICHMOND, VA. Rooney lalt and Turkey Gin labels are of Eoual Value. This Offer Expires January 1st 1806. IVttiPo IFaiiPinnKBiP We want to talk with you about a new Disc Harrow,. New Ground Plow, Subsoil Plow or Cultivator and Harrow. A full line of the latest improved implements in these - . - lines. Come to see us. N. Jacobi Hardware Company. lil SI if i " through many taa (Boxno of vT svrcsvcLssnV "blendedr mllTT It w sw . - you don't fcaoir horror by "wnoxn, & fit for your issa I Of court you don't But BJIdDFJ CD)IFIFII ls3C9 ct C plcslatlca. ere maid est drees cl ore talrm to secsre perfect cleanliness. Cavcr.ctrc3ti end enncrdty From the time the coffee fearej the factory no hand touches tt tiu 'WOOLBOH SPICE ui ioumo, The Merchant Tailor, irJ5?t5'' tipreclatcd tail- pi7SVloc:itod 3 north llZSSSh .He haa been prominently Identified with the Merchant TatitorteL ma onacss has crown and prospered. "ca a capero une of tne Izteet. 5 SoSeS1 imporlS ana Domestic. Vfooisz Tweeds. - TtZZXi Fcoer Trocjerlsra la We lii-dea end deslsna. .AD katua Mr. Xlerera tS. SSS? cf taste, eteaoe
The Wilmington Messenger (Wilmington, N.C.)
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Jan. 2, 1906, edition 1
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