The Fabricator
Seigenthaler concludes farewell remarks
Former Tennessean editor and publisher John Seigenthaler this week concluded his moving farewell speech to the paper’s newsroom staff, a speech that he began in 1991.
“In conclusion, it has been wonderful to work with all of you, and I know you will continue to do great things in the future,” he said, appearing to grow misty-eyed for a moment.
The oration began as an impromptu goodbye at a party to announce Seigenthaler’s stepping down from day-to-day operations at the newspaper. He had climbed onto a desk in the corner of the newsroom to be heard better, and began by thanking those present for their hard work during his tenure at the paper.
The first few hours of the speech had been greeted with good cheer and laughter at humorous and affectionate stories involving, among other subjects, the Kennedy family, competition with the rival Nashville Banner, and Tennessean alumni such as David Halberstam, Tom Wicker, and Sonny Rawls.
“There were so many names dropping, you needed a hard hat,” said one staffer who was in attendance that night. “But it was a lot of fun at first.” As one anecdote led to another, and the daylight turned to dawn, the partygoers began drifting away, and others went back to work at their desks, eventually leaving Seigenthaler addressing a room that was never empty, but seldom listening.
Those passing by would hear an occasional, “As Bobby Kennedy said to me in 1966,” or “The Gridiron dinner in 1989 stands out in my mind,” but for the most part, the speech dropped to an amiable background sound in the newsroom.
After ducking into a nearby men’s room earlier this week, Seigenthaler climbed into the car that had been idling at the curb in front of the newspaper office for the better part of 10 years and went home.
“You know, I didn’t really pay that much attention to him when he was speaking, but now I sort of miss it,” one newsroom staffer said.
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