State

Archibald Johnson A man who was a «real editor, a great worker and a great crusader. The influ¬ ences set in motion by him will exist iu North Carolina for many years to come. TIIE familiar maxim "tin* pen is mightier than the sword” is known to every schoolboy, and the Fourth Estate has never lacked powerful representatives in Carolina. In the early days of the last century, the pen of Hale of the Fayetteville Observer was quoted in the National press. Prior to the Civil War the genius of William W. Holden glowed from the pages of the Raleigh Stand¬ ard. In the days of Deconstruction, Josiah Turner ill the Raleigh Sen¬ tinel wrote with the authority of one inspired of God for the salvation of his people. In Inter years the pen of Joseph P. Caldwell of the Charlotte Observer was peerless iu the potency of its power. Yet in my judgment, none of these great editors of Carolina was more gifted than my subject; nor did any wield a more far reaching or abiding influence within the confines of Caro¬ lina. In his early years the label ‘‘Blockade Preacher” was tabbed upon him by the brilliant editor of the Charlotte Observer— a title which clung to him through life. But John¬ son was far more than a preacher ; he ltecame an evangel ; lie eventuated into not merely a man but an institution; and his reflection burgeoned into bloom in the hearts of our people; for no one ever lived closer to the sons of the soil than did Archibald Johnson. Born in Scotland County He came of a cultivated ancestry from a cultured community, the Spring Hill section of Scotland County, a country community which wears worthily the distinction of hav¬ ing within its borders more college graduates than any similar community in the state — a community from which has gone forth a long procession of preachers, poets, physicians, mis¬ sionaries, educators, editors and civic leaders in almost every walk of life. Johnson himself transmitted some of his own genius to his talented son, Gerald W. Johnson of the Baltimore Sun who has made for himself a na¬ tional reputation as un editor and an author. By It. €. LAWRENCE Archibald Johnson look no college degree, nor would the possession of such have shed any lustre upon his name. But he possessed natural powers akin to those inbred within the brain of Abraham Lincoln; and his soul was inspired with the same stout¬ hearted courage which distinguished another Carolina Johnson, himself unlettered in learning — one Andrew, President of the United States. A Long-time Editor Archibald Johnson passed almost his entire career in the editorial chair. I u 1802 he lieeainc editor of the laurinburg Exchange, and a little later he founded the Red Sjrrings Citizen; but as early as 1805 his pow¬ erful pen had attracted the attention of Baptist leaders, and ho was called to Thomasvillo to become editor of Charity and Children, iu which ca¬ pacity he continued until his death forty years later. For a long period he served ns secretary of the State Press Association; and later as its president. No other honors came to him, for ho was a man of quiet and modest de¬ meanor; but notwithstanding this, he built for himself here in Carolina a monument “more lasting than brass and enduring than marble." It was another famous Johnson (Dr. Samuel) who said of Goldsmith that “ho wrote like an angel, but he talked like poor Poll.” This does not apply to my subject, who was us gracious iu his speech as he was gifted in his writings. It could be said of him, in the language employed by the Psalmist: “My pen is the tongue of a ready writer”; and also, in the lofty JEFFERSON STANDARD Pays 5% Interest On funds Held in Trust for Policy- holders and Beneficiaries language of St. Paul: ‘‘I sjieak with the tongue of men and of angels.” He represented the work of the Baptist Orphanage not only in its editorial chair, but in the field before the Baptist people. For forty years he attended most of the annual Asso¬ ciations, always speaking with per¬ suasive power iu portraying the plight of the orphan; but often going “outside the record” and laying some great cause — sueli ns education or temperance — upon the hearts of his brethren. Although a Baptist he was not con¬ trolled by his denomination; although he was employed by a Board of Trustees, he did not allow them to dominate him or dictate his policies. 11 is editorial chair belonged to him, and from it he exercised an inde¬ pendent power. Even if his denomina¬ tional leaders thought one way, and lie thought another, he never for a moment hesitated to express his own views and to maintain them with per¬ sistent vigor. Sometimes he would prove to be in the wrong, but, ns he himself expressed it, he preferred to be wrong rather than be nothing. But the biggest thing in his mental makeup was the fact that when he found him¬ self in the wrong, he had the moral courage to come right out and admit it! This high quality sets this man apart from the common herd ; and places U|H»n his brow the laurel wreath which belongs to the victor iu the strife. Championed Many Causes He represented more than merely the orphanage work, important though that be. From his editorial chair, Johnson was un evangel iu every good work. He championed the cause of prohibition at a time when it was unpopular even in thcchurches; his voice and his ready pen pioneered in advocating aid for the common schools from the state treasury; he was a partisan in the cause of good government; he was a thorn in the flesh of the unworthy. lie gave gen¬ erously of his superb literary talent, and of his splendid panoply of power (Continued on page twenty-five) 1»