The El Reno Democrat. (El Reno, Okla. Terr.), Vol. 6, No. 30, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 22, 1895 Page: 1 of 8
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The El Reno Democrat
The Official Organ of the War Department and Canadian County.
T. F. HENSLE Y, Proprietor.
PUBLISHED EJ'ERY THURSDA i
$1.25 PER YEAR
Volume VI-
HIL RENO, OKLAHOMA TERRITORY, THURSDAY, AUGUST IH95.
Number tJO
I
EDITORS MEET
The Semi-Annual Meeting of the
Oklahoma Pencil Pushers.
ftT HOME IN EL RENO
The Session Opens with Large
Attendance and Many New
Members are Enrolled.
HOW THE TIME WAS SPENT
Splendid Program of Addresses and Re-
sponses — Music — Excursion to Fort
Reno — A Big Banquet and
Other Interesting Features
honored guests. Mr. Forest said:
We welcome you to our young and
as we call it thriving city. You come
to us from all parts of this beautiful
territory, which at some time in the
no distant future will be either a part
or the whole of a state which will stand
well among the other states of the
Union, and in many respects will be
vastly superior to several of those
which have lately been admitted. The
rapid advancement of this territory--
the most remarkable in the growth of
the continent, is largely due to the press
of the territory. More credit should
I be given you than to any other cause
which has contributed to this advance-
ment. Representing as you do every
city, village and hamlet in the terri-
tory, your compliment to our city in
coming among us to attend to your
association duties, and to become ac-
quainted, and to take such liberities in
the nature of social enjoyments as are
always consistent with an editor's
home duties gives to the people of El
Reno great pleasure, tt is gratifying
to be able to say to you that some pains
have been taken to make your visit
with us as pleasant as circumstances
will permit.
Editors should always be entertained
and as a rule they always are. No
man in the civil duties of life can
occuy a position of higher importance
to his community than that of an edit-
or. His may be a most useful life, and
fruitful of the greatest good. If he
enters his profession with good pur-
poses and in the conduct of his duties
put sues a conseientous manly course
there is scarcely a limit to the influ-
ence he may weild among those who are
his patrons. But hemust be consistent,
he must be faithful to his duty, faith-
ful to self, fair and just to all. The
line of his duties are of a public charac-
ter: he deals with the public and with
public matters in particular}-, and al-
most necessarily, from the atmosphere
in which he lives, becomes a politician
This is no discredit—especially in Ok-
j lahoma—where there are more natural
| born politicians than in any spot on
God's footstool: all of which is com-
! mendable, for 1 believe when every
American becomes so deeply interested
! in politics that he will be always on
is who 1
the alert, and take such interest in po-
The Oklahoma Press Association held
its semi-annual meeting in El Reno
last Friday and Saturday, August Hi
and 17. The attendance was fair consid-
ering the extreme hot weather and
many new members were added to the
Association.
The State Capital in speaking of the
first days session says:
Yesterday marked another epoch in
the history of Oklahoma journalism.
Others factors, potent and powerful,
have materially assisted in the devel-
opment and upbuilding of this, the
youngest, brightest, the most phenomi-
nal and precautious child of Uncle Sam
—Oklahoma—but above and beyond all
other agencies, overshadowing and
eclipsing, comes the potent and almost
magical and wholly irresistible power
of the press, that has sounded the
praises of this fair land, in season and
cut of season, buoying up and encour-
aging in hours of doubt and despond-
ency: rejoicing and exulting in seasons
oT prosperity. Who has stood by Ok-j
lahoma at all times, hurling defiance
at tradueers and challenging competit-
ors? The editor. Who has shouted I
from the hill-tops and proclaimed from
the gates the matchless climatic con-
ditions, the tropical fertility, the un-
qucnchible enterprise and the match-
less possibilites of the ''Land of the[
fair God? The editor. He
has seen Oklahoma fertility, resources
healthfulness, beautiful women, brave
men, big pumpkins and fat babies
through the benign and cheerful glass-
es of the optimist, and has never yet [
had his soul or faith even so slightly
eclipsed by a doubt that this is the
greatest and grandest spot on earth.
Consequently, when he rejoices the
people rejoice with him. When hej
dons his festal raiment and goes forth I
to enjoy a brief season of recreation
his lot is cast in pleasant places and
his path is by the green fields and be-
side the still waters.
The reception tendered the editors i
at the charming city of El Reno yes-]
terday on the occasion of the semi- j
annual Oklahoma Press Association litical matters as duty demands, that
meeting, exemplifies these statements. 0ur institutions will be on a safer basis
The city gates were wide open. "Wei- than they have hitherto rested, when
come shown in the face of her citizens the masses have submitted everything
and the committees that met the guests , to a few self-constituted leaders, who
at the trains were untiring in their | do the politics for them.
efforts and hospitality.
MOUNT ST. ELIAS.
The hitfhcrst point of land In North Amerlra, Mount St. Kilos, has be on lost to the UnltM
States thron^n u reoent government survey which gives it a location <>n British territory The
mountain stun<la Just half a decree east of the Mist meridian, tlio boundary lino of Alaska
ited disgust and contempt of all good j can citizen, the spirit of patriotism,
people who adhere to the humame doc- j foI. their inculcation have had the pub-
trine of "live and let live."
Principles and politics may be as-
saulted, when in conflict with the po-
litical doctrines of an editor who de-
votes his paper to the advancement of
a political party. Patriotic sentiment
and party zeal may awaken and war-
rant the most violent enthusiasm in
editoral conflict involving party suc-
cess: but nothing can palliate or excuse
an attack upon private character where
no motive save personal pique or re-
vengeful spirit, or jealously is the only
foundation for abuse. Good results are
incompatible with evil designs, and
the mind is poorly balanced which con-
ceives that the destruction of another
well meaning, yet possibly erring per-
son can enhance the promotion of the
destroyer. Just criticism of official
conduct, exposure of inefficiency, and
honest comment upon merit and de-
merit, in all maters where the public
is concerned, are beyond the line of
condemnation: but to hold up private
life to the finger of scorn to gratify a
personal spite is beyond the limits of
all ethics in the editorial lield, and
falls within the pale of scrurilous
screed, which never fails to bring upon
the head of him who indulges it the
just censure of his patrons and the
business world. He who follows such
a course may find his gratification in
beholding the torture of his own cre-
ated foes, but such pleasure must be
lik that which the miserly wretch who
hoards his wealth and begs for his sub-
sistence. Conceived in the atmosphere
of a sinful heart, and born in the squal-
lor of revenge, the smile it produces is
the reflection of a wicked spirit, whose
cheif delight is to inflict and torment,
rather than relieve and delight man-
kind.
BILL BOLTON—WOODWARD NEWS,
Happily such editors are rare. The
great mass who constitute the editorial
world are built from nobler types, and
follow the profession from happy in-
spiration which consciousness of well
earned merit encites. In the growth
and development of the republic no
other source in the many which have
contributed to our national prosperity
can claim a credit equal to that to
which the public press is entitled. The
unlimited resources of country, so in-
viting to our industrial growth and
material progress, perforce would have
Like lawyers, editors may occasion-] necessarily brought to the American
continent a vast population, in the
years which have intervened since the
; necessarily know it.
The editor should refrain from per-
The Association was called to order j sonai abuse. xhe publications of the
at promptly 2 o'clock by President j misdeeds and the misfortunes of others
Hensley, and the following program j ;8 a matter of public duty only when it
was presented. ;s 0f such importance that the public
I Piano Duet.—Selected. J
■ Misses Kensley and Watt son !
~ Culled to Order by the President.
\ Prayer—Rev. Noble.
i Vocal Solo ,iie<>. Pearl ally abuse each other, but like lawyers
5 Address of Welcome—R. B. Forrest. i u, .1 1 -ti t . -> t
tt Response by President. j thc should 9ulokl-v fol'*-rt,t an(1 fo>"
7 Editorial Associations—M. I.. Wxler. j give: apologies are wholly unnecessary: I earlv settlement upon our shore, but
!> Quartette—Selected : n,. .. 1 1 . ■ rr, , I
Messrs.Wattson, Pearl.Uuuii and Gerrer j should be understood. lo such the moulding of national character,
10 Cash in Advance—F. II. Greer, Guthrie I editor* who are true to the trust th v i .1 , ,. , ,
State Capitol. t-unui. wuuuie 11 ue xo tnt u usi, intj j an(j the establishment of a government
11 Vocal Solo—Selected ciias. G. Wattson assume there is a welcome everywhere, based
. Wood-
is Foreign Advertising—W. F. Bolt
ward News.
If Personal Journalism J. L. Isenberg
14 Should a Newspaper Toot Its Own Horn.-
J. T. Palmer.
I" Excursion to Fort Reno to Witness I>re>*
Parade and Band Concert, at ">: «) p. ni
upon republican and democratic
| and in every occupation of life they are | principles, whose foundation would be
steemed and respected. secure, and whose perpetuity could be
But the editor who dips his pen in maintained, became the task of edu-
rall and knows no friends but servile j cation. In this field the school house
ADDRESS OF WELCOME I tools, who buys his favors with full has laid the foundation, but the re-
The address of welcome by the Hon. j flattery, and sinks the boon of fearless sponsibilities of citizenship, the love
R. B. Forest was an oratorical gem and j manhood to gain hi- smiles, and incite of liberty, the comprehension of our
breathed the generous spirit of the city his poison upon the heads of hi- ene- institutions, and the .-till higher, and
in presenting the municipality to her| mies. will bring to bis reward the mer-, highest of all requests in the Airie-i-
lic press as a teacher. For it is upon
the plain of duty and in the turmoil
and activity of practical life that we
learn the most of all we know which is
really useful to us. The schools,
colleges and universities only prepare
the youth for manhood, actual exper-
ience in the field of business developes
and presents the man. In the early
years of our national life it was the
monthly, ihen came the weekly, and
finally the great daily newspaper, al-
ways keeping the American people
awake upon all questions, not only of
public but social life: constantly battle-
ing for principles and policies, and eon-
tending for political supremacy: for-
ever recurring to teachings of the pat-
riots and statesmen, and arousing the
spirit of patriotism, thus eventually
moulding our Americanism, free, inde-
pendent. and above any and all the
nations from which the many peoples
came whose commingling blood has
constructed the American.
At no period in our history has there
been a time but when some great ques-
tion was pending before the nation, the
settlement of which has been finally
submitted to the intelligence and pat-
riotism of the people; and it has always
been settled right. The present time
is not an exception to the rule. Con-
flict is constant among mankind. His-
tory is complete with sanguinary and
political contest, and while the Ameri-
cans have settled the policy of the
nation on the tarriff question, they are
to-day confronted with a more serious
matter in the proper settlement of
which the American press will exer-
cise the same potent power which has
been most instrumental in every matter
before the people. Two great lines
are to-day being formed, upon one side
or the other of which every American
is destined to stand. There will be no
escape from the issue. The American
people are confronted with the ques-
tion once more whether they will be
free and independent states or suffer
themselves to remain submissive to
the policies of Great Britain, whose
attempt to rule the continent was over-
thrown more than 100 years ago. In
this contest the power of greed, realiz-
ing the magnitude of the press in the
formation of the public opinion, know-
ing its irresistible force has already
drawn to its support many of the influ-
ential metropolitan papers, who are
devoting their efforts, regardless of
truth, regardless of argument, regard-
less of justice to the mass of the peo-
ple. to bring the American mind to
look with prejudice upon the re-estab-
lishment of silver a - a money metal in
our monetary system. To this end the
subsidized press is sparing no pains to
discredit and misrepresent every move-
ment from the people looking to re-
iuo neti/.ation. Its advocates are called
dishonest: they are denominated igno-
ramuses, calamity howlers and hood-
lums.M Prior political opposition is
forgotten, to stand upon what they
have seen lit to denominate the "sound
money" platform is a sufficient atone-
ment for all past political sins, lie-
publican and democratic goldites unite
hand in hand against the common «me-
my the advocate of the money of the
! fathers -silver and gold. Thi* con-
dition presents a new and increasing
duty for the press. The grandeur of
its boasted liberty has never had an
opportunity to shine more effulgently,
nor the potency of its power a broader
field in which to weild its influence.
At one time the I'nited States stood in
the van of civilized governments. She
made and indulged policies which
were peculiarly her own. In her in-
fancy she assumed an air of independ-
ence unparalleled in the history of the
world. Under the impulses of patriot-
ism which the spirit of independence
aroused, and the exercise of liberty
had deeply rooted in the American
heart, our young republic sprang has-
tily into the fields of nations, ami the
world outside was awe-stricken in be-
holding its magnificence.
To-day it is the football of those
powers which would have subdued its
existence. Powerless to destroy it in
its infancy, they have so shaken its
subsistence that they now look and
hope for an early decay by sapping it
of its life blood. What are we to do?
Shall we continue to submit to party-
ism whose leaders have purposely or
blindly led us into this swamp, or will
the same press which aroused patriot-
ism in the trying days of Valley Forge
to such a pitch that hiood, starvation
and death were preferable to submis-
sion to British yoke, again unite and
bring th" people of this nation to a
sense of duty. It is not for mo on this
occasion to discuss this question. But
you of the press—the provincial press—
must discuss it. Understanding the
condition of those who support you and
patronize you, you can hardly fail to
conceive the proper side of the case.
Again extending to you a hearty
welcome, and assuring you, by the per-
mission of our worthy mayor, that you
have tlx* liberty of the city while you
remain in our midst, I thank you for
your kind attention.
RESPONSE.
Response to tin* address of welcome
by T. IHensley, President of the As-
sociation.
THE PRESIDENT
Ladies and gentlemen—On behalf of
the Oklahoma Press Association, which
I have the honor- of trying to represent
on this occasion as president, 1 arise to
respond to the splendid welcome ex-
tended to us by the eloquent gentle-
man commissioned to speak for El
Reno and her people, and at the same
time to return the heartfelt thanks,
and toexpress our appreciation for this
reception and your futher proffered
hospitality.
The program call on me for a re-
sponse to the address of welcome, but
the situation suggests that the few
words I may offer might very appro-
priately be added as an addenda, or
kind of codicil or postscript to the ad-
dress of welcome already delivered.
For some reason I cannot shake off
the feeling that this association is my
guest in common with the people of
El Reno, and that it i> my duty, more
strictly speaking, to help to spread
wide the gates of our hospitality, and
bid you enter with full confidence of a
hearty welcome, than it is to return
thanks to my own people -to myself as
it were—for the invitation that brings
you here.
This association has been called to-
gether more on account of matters of
business than of pleasure, yet the life
habits of an editor are such that he is
seldom averse to receiving the little
kindnesses which an appreciative pub-
lic delight to bestow upon him at his
funeral, and upon occasions of this
kind.
\\ e trust that this meeting may not
only be pleasant from a social aspect,
but m italh profitable to all concerned
from a material standpoint
The editors of Oklahoma have a pat-
riotic pride in everything that per-
tains to the prosperity and develop-
ment of a territory which in all of its
material elements and conditions is an
empire within itself, and whose king
is enterprise
The semi-annual meetings of this as-
sociation. held in various parts of the
territory, not only brings the moulders
of public sentiment in touch with the
people of every section, but affords
them an opportunity for discovering
the great wealth and possibilities of
our new country, better enabling theui
to give to the world a true idea of its
resources, and of its desirability as a
place of residence for good people of
whatever kith or kin.
1 have consulted Emerson, Henry
Cabot Lodge, and the Rev. Thomas A.
Guard of South Africa for something
appropriate to say on this occasion,
and they have each admonished me, in
the classic language of Dean Swift, to
"cut it short*' and please the boys, and
1 have listened to their admonition.
Now in conclusion, permit me in be-
half of the association to again thank
you for these generous manifestations
of a hearty welcome.
After the response to the address of
welcome M. L. Bixler of the Norman
Deinoerrt read an interesting paper on
"Editorial Associations" He was fol-
lowed by F. H. Greer, of the State Cap-
ital whose subject was "Cash in Ad-
vance." >\'. E. Bolton of the Wood-
ward News read a good paper on "For-
eign Advertising." J. L. Isenhurg
made a very sensible talk on the sub-
ject of "Personal Journalism." The
central thought of his address was that
if "You should take out of a public
journal all that was perjonal nothing
would remain." It is an undeniable
fact that every seccessful provencial
newspaper is little more nor less than
a reflex of the personality of its editor.
The program for the first day was
enlivened by a splendid musical pro-
gram arranged by Miss Kensley, the
opening piece being a piano duet by
Miss Kensley and Miss Carrie Wattson
followed by a quartette "We Rock
away on the Billows Gay" by Messrs.
Chas. Wattson, Geo. Pearl, L. J. Gunn
and Albert Gerrer, which called forth
a hearty encore to which they respond-
ed with a comic selection entitled "The
Song of the Ducks." This was follow
ed by a vocal solo by Geo. Pearl. The
concluding piece in the musical pro-
gram was a vocal solo by Chas. G.
Wattson entitled "The Skipper." This
also called out a hearty encore.
The Association adjourned for an
early supper when carriages were pro-
vided and the editors were driven to
Fort Reno to witness the special dress
parade and band concert given by or-
der of Col. Pearson the commanding
officer of the Tenth Regiment for the
entertainment of the editors of okla
hotna. The Association not only voted
a resolution of thanks to Col. Pearson
but were loud in their praise of both
drill and band concert. Col. Pearson
had a luncheon prepared for the visit-
ors but through some missiinderstand-
g only a part of them remained.
SATURDAY MORNING SESSION.
Called to order at 0 o'clock, sharp.
Enrollment of New Members and Appoint-
ment of Committees.
Unfinished Business
New Business.
Report of Committees.
MIscellaneous Business.
Adjournment
Vacancies were filled in the office of
CONTINUED ON FOURTH PAGE)
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Hensley, T. F. The El Reno Democrat. (El Reno, Okla. Terr.), Vol. 6, No. 30, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 22, 1895, newspaper, August 22, 1895; (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc160011/m1/1/: accessed July 18, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.