The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-07-02
by REQUEST.
HTHE IEYINGTONr Am

The readers of this journal have already been
| npprised of the cause of its not appearing for
several weeks past. Having just sufficiently re-
covered from severe and painful illness to use
my pen and survey NV shattered affairs / cm-
brace the first opportunity of informing nv
friends and the patrons of the Flag, of the extent
Of the loss they, well as myself have sustained
i'll the death of young Leopard. While he filled
the post of Junior Eitor-wrting only when
he felt nclined-beng good practical p,inter,
and superintended all its operations. His loss,
therefore, to me and TO the paper is at fatal
and irrcparable. 1t would be impossible for Inc
to supply his place by another person.
In this connection i'll is necessary, too to
state that Leopard and myself were united by
something more than mere business partner.
ship. BY the marriage Of our parents when
we were small, We becume brothers for n num-
bers OF years we wero at school together, du-
ring the greater part Of the time, classmates
1wheh ut nome room-mates-when separated,
almost weekly correspondents; and were thus
endearcd to each other by all tho ties Of long,
intimate and ripencd friendship. / loved him
as tenderly us if he had been n brother OF nv
own blood None knew him as we'll as I did
and, may say, none could appreciate as did
| his priceless worth. The many virtues that
adorned his spotless character are enshrned in
the inner chambers of my heart, and the image
| OF his handsome form and manly men will ever
linger ill the greenest isless of my memory.
leopard appears to huve had an almost in
tqItiye knowledge of the printing business
lie had worked at it but short timc and for
more than year had not handled a tyne,
before We commenced the publication of the
Ftdg and yet he soon brought the most perfect
order ard system out of the chaos OF confusion
and ill-usuge i'll which we found the office; aud
the neat and regular appearance of the paper
bore weekly testimony to his skill and admira- mira
bic handwork. We struggled at first against
many difficulties and disadvantages but had
overcome them oil, and were gradually winning
our way to success. But alas! when the goal
for which. We toiled had we'll nigh been reached,
when the flush Of victory wus already upon our
brows, death cunne and struck down the Moses
Of our banda Leopard, gifted, noble and pure
as he was, must be laid i'll the tomb, his ninbe
fingers cold and rigid al marble, his clear hazel
eyes, where beamed the fires of genius and
| looked out tho windows OF mastery intellect
and lofty soul, closed forever upon all earthly
things. But poignant and bitter as is our grief.
and sad and severe as is our oss,we must bow
to the will CT that inscrutuble Wisdom, from
whose court there is no appeal.
If cannot find good practical printer to
purchase the Flag and continue it, its publica-
tions will have to cease To a man of the
right stamp, will give bargain, and under
proper management it would prove profitable
investment In the meantime, I assure the
subscribers to the paper that 1 shall do every
thing can to secure its continuance. should
uocFIy regret 10 see Lnc district deprived entire
Iy of newspaper of its own.
With this communication, my career. ,ns all
editor closes My connection with the press
has been so brief, and the field have occupied
SO obscure, that I hardly consider formal
withdrawal necessary. will only say that
am am not conscious of having deyiated in the
least from the principles and line of conduct I
marked out for my guidance at the beginning,
and have endeavored to discharge faithfully the
duties that deyolved upon me- Doubtless how
ever, have failed in many particulars, and
come far short of the expectations of my friends
If i'll dealing with the strictcst impartiaty with
all. and with the fullest conviction of recttude,
have given offence to any one, I have 10
apology whatever to make. TO my late brethern
of the press, I will add, parting remark,
that from what have learned of them during
! the short space of four months, have formed
"a high opinion of the ability, dignity and self
sacrificing spirit of the editorial fraternity OF
South Carolina, and regret that it is not my lot
to continue All humble member of it.
E. ]. II. DREIIER.
Lexington, S. c., June &c, 1857.