The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1856-01-10
ABBEVILLE BANN Err.
WILLIAM Q. DAVIS, EDITOR.
THURSDAY MORNING, JAN. 10, 1856
Valedictory. :.

| AicNouSiy W tic EtSL TWO issues OF the
Banner, we had ceased to preside over the
responsibilities and cares of its editorial
chair. A bow and q special farewell arc
due to our readers; aud much more than a
bow or any farewell, to those generous
friends, whose substantial aid and too fiat
tering cncomiums, checred us in this brief
but ard,ous episode Of our life.
Circumstances which no policy could
coptrol, dictated the change, and not the
mere instability Of icklencss in us. Had
the labors of our position been as produc-
tive of the sine qui non, as Of p!easurablc.
ness in their execution, we would have been
saved this task of bidding our readers a
formal adieu. The pursuit of literature
i'll the South, must yet little longer oc-
cupy, professionally, only those whose ar
dor elevatcs them to the dignity of dcvotces
ut her shrine, or whose condition of life fits
them for self-dcnial and mar,yrdom in her
cause.
The struggle for bread, intensified by the
stirring music Of fircside prattcrs, has few
sentiments in common with the dreamy
distractions of the professel itterateur,
unless those distractions, like cotton and
rice, command Il marketable value, COM
mensurate with the quality of the STA
pie.
We arc not complaining, however; our
life during the last two years, has been n
period Of delightful recreation, which we
would fain continue. 1t rest ored, in great
measure, the health previously lost in
the too confined and ovcr-worked school
room-it afforded lis an exercise in the
potent art of composition, that no other
situation is capable Of giving-it placed lis
on pinnacle, rs it were, from which We
caught giimpscs and broad views of life,
and Of that subtle thing-a wheel within IL
wheei-caIlcd human nature, that we had
contemplated never before and, more
than all, posted lis in the very flash of the
guns that do execution in the aggressive
and defensive warfare for Truth. That
|
hess, or found nothing but sunshine in the
discharge of The obligations they imposed,
is not asserted. The editor enjoys no sine
cure-bclongS rather to the forlorn hope Of
his country, and when marching bravest
and sluarcst up to his duty, is most sure of
his fate.
Here and there We made an enemy.
Was there ever a rational man, who dis
charged his duty, that did not? But the
truth must he expressed in stronger in
terrogatory than that-Can any man do
his 'chole duty, fearless Of consequences, in
public or private position, and not be a
martyr! a few have been found bold
enough to try it,. and scarcely one-not
even the purcst and best Of them all-lost
the privilege of scaling his principles with
his blood. But we may have offended
some in passion or ignorance; these
VIC would conciliatc by every honorable
amend
10 our brethren of the Press of the
State generally, we are under obligations,
which we cannot but remember here. To
say that our relation to them, as body,
has been most kindly and pleasant, falls
short of expressing the whole truth-it has
been instructive and ennolling as we'll
With many Of them, We have the pleasure
of personal acquaintance, and know that
a more generous and talented class of men
stands at the helm Of no State. High
toned and nightly in bearing, they corde-
scend to no mean assidutics, nor violate, 10y
low personalities, an elevated code of pro.
fnssiona' courtesy. Generously associHted
and Of liberal education, they can be made
the plant tools of no man or party; but
taking a manly, comprehensive view oi
every question, are at once the ornament
and defence of their gallant State. Will
such men to direc, in the realm of politics
and letters, we fear nothing from the great
struggles Of tho future.
The expiring Thehan breathed in exulta-
ton the names of Leuctra and Martinez
may not we, without presumption, and With
Il pride alike in kind at least to his, point
at this moment to two illustrious daughters
Of the numerous household of an untram-
mellcd Press-the Agricultural Society Of
South Carolina, and the overthrow OF Know.
Nothingism.. We stood godfather at the
baptism Of both. and though not chief
were as intensely interested in all the servi.
ccs as any master of ceremonies; and now
in resigning our guardianship, cannot but
point to these monuments of State valo,
and enlightenment, with feelings Of pride
and exultation. To the latter, destiny has
assigned fate; no word from us can effect
that; but the former, though illustrious, II
i yet an infant. and our last breatllings shall
be-" Brethren; watch with earnest solici
tude over yonr tender charge; her you'll