Illinois newspaper directory. History of the Illinois press association

Illinois Newspaper Directory and Historyof those illegible manuscripts, which, like those of the late Horace Greeley, engenderedvolumes of profanity in the 'composing room,' and were enough to try the patienceof Job and the meekness of Moses. No man can predict where the march of mechanicalimprovement will end; and what we now need is better minds to give direction andcontrol."We have entered the new year of the new century as a nation and as a people;and we have no less entered upon a new era of progress in the mental world, in whichthe rubbish of decayed ideas must melt away before advanced thought. True, wonderfulhas been our progress in the past quarter of a century, but by the blessing of the DivineHand, it will be as nothing, compared to the future. The last hundred years have beenformative years — years of preparation and discipline. We have now graduated fromthe schools, and should be ready for the journey — work of life. Let us then, brethrenof the Press, prove ourselves more and more worthy of the high position we are calledto fill. This we owe to ourselves as men, and to the State as public educators."Before closing, it may not be out of place to refer briefly to the importance ofPREPARED ESSAYS, treating upon subjects of interest to the editorial profession.At our business meeting in Springfield, last winter, a number of valuable subjects werepresented and, more or less, thoroughly considered; but I regret to say, as I nowremember, only one essay was read on that occasion — and that related to the historyof our organization, and came from the pen of our worthy Treasurer. Had papersbeen prepared upon every subject, the proceedings of that meeting would have beenof far more value to editors, in the department of practical experience; hence, weearnestly suggest to you, there is much room for improvement in this direction. I shouldlike to say a few words in regard to FOREIGN ADVERTISEMENTS, and the bestmethods of popularizing the Country Press, but time will permit only of a mere passingnotice, relative to the former. All must admit that the most perplexing thing connectedwith newspaper experience relates to foreign advertisements. The patent-medicineman fastens upon the Press like a nightmare, and it seems almost impossible to shakehim off. By one device or another, let the editor be ever so exacting, he apparentlycannot avoid the toils of this perpetual fraud. 'Radical diseases need radical cures.'We hope, therefore, the day is close at hand when every member of this Associationwill deem it a solemn duty to make his terms for this class of patrons cash in advance!"A FEW WORDS PERSONAL, and I am through. It affords me great pleasure,gentlemen, to say to you in behalf of the officers of the Illinois Press Association, thatwe fully appreciate the honor you conferred upon us one year ago, and we can truly saythat we have endeavored to the best of our ability to faithfully discharge the duties entrustedto our care. For myself I will say further, that I have had large correspondencein regard to various matters of legislation—affecting the public interest in common withthat of the press—and, for your worthy Secretary, I am pleased to state that through hisown personal exertions he has secured for you one of the grandest trips on this continent—a trip through the beautiful valley of the Missouri, along the grand canyons ofArkansas, to Denver and the silver mines of Colorado—a journey, I am sure, which willbe both magnificent and instructive to the appreciative members of this Association."In the years gone by we have visited various parts of our broad and beautifulcountry—in the North, South and East—and we have mingled with many cities andpeoples. Now we go to the far West, to visit the youngest and among the most picturesqueof our sister States; to visit her flourishing capital and inspect her vast mineralwealth; to climb her rugged mountains; to ramble in her 'Garden of the Gods'—beholdthe grand works of nature, and engage in sweet communion with the God of theuniverse!"36