The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-01-01
The Work OF the Year.

There is little to add, in this place, to
the carefully prepared report OF the pro-
gress, condition and prospects OF Charles
ton, printed elsewhere in our columns. Tbe
information there given has beer obtained
from leading citizens In the dlherent oe-
nar,ments OF trade, and is set forth, as
nearly as might be, in their own words ID
this way we have hoped to lay before tne
nnhl,c frank and truthful statement OF the
commercial gains and losses OF the year.
The balance is overwhelmingly on the SIDE
NJ the gains-Lhe losses kick the beam.
This ia the deliberate judgment OF those
hest qualified to Judge, and upon their opin-
ion we rely, because it is the opinion Oh
aucb men which give cities their reputation
for thrift and enterprise, areputation which,
in time. solidities and enlarges the prosperi-
ty of the community. There is no mercy
for the city which is on the Wane; there ls no
limit to the wealth within the reach OF that
which is already rich. Charleston has
fought the fight and has conquered. 1t re-
mains for her rulers, and her merchants and
traders, to confirm and increase her we'll
uon fortune by studying her interests,
which, also, are theirs. No city in the
I1n;on had more obstacles to surmount
mora difficulties to overcome. a lew years
ooo without money or credit, under the
han abe was derided by her rivals and
ni,Iad by her friends. Now the derison is
changed to admiration; the pity she does
MT need. Commercial and financial hg-
ures, not figures Of speech, prove that IN
in Tho face of competition and opposition,
charleston has, without help from abroad,
steadily advanced In Importance, and no"
occupies g. position impregnable against
evorv attack save that OF her own people.
Tbose need more union, more concert OF
action. In Charleston there is overmuch
NJ separate action, which is very different
from independent action. Our citizens are
s,ow to form combinations, whatever their
nrosnectiye advants ge. This is undoubted-
" drawback; but the caution, vergipg
on timidity, Of which it is the expression,
will mass away in lime, and then, the old
harmonious spirit revlving, the people can
work together with the disciplined energy
which never knows defeat.
There is still work in abundance 10 De
done il We would make Charleston what we
wish. and what her natural advantages en-
title her to be. And The NEWS will ever be
found battling In the front rank, wherever
the interests Of the ssitssass'as stake. Ao-
| strdcs poifslcs are not to our taste; they IN
terest us only as far as they atect trade
and concern the peace and security OF the
people. 1t is our desire and practice to deal
candidy, and without prejudice, with Con-
seryative and Radical alike. Those who
labor for the good OF the State, The News
will support; those who, whatever their mo-
tive, disregard her welfare, TIE News Will
untal.eringly condemn. Above al things, We
ain to make TIE NEWS thoroughly South
Carolina newspaper, whose columns shall be
the mirror of all that affects and is likely to
interest every class of the people. The
mammoth papers OF the North and West
have their sphere, and we have ours. 1t ia
the height Of our ambition to make The
News the vehicle OF South Carolina opinion,
and the chronicler OF every event, large
or small, which takes place within the
State. It LIS not to be expected that our
opinions will agree with those OF every
reader. We endeavor to build up indepen-
dent thought, the parent OF independent ac-
tion, BY giving the people the material
ghich enables them to judge for themselves
Thay can then agree with US, or differ from
us as their judgment may dictate. The
day when newspaper could hector a
whole people is happily past. With more
individuality OF thought and boldness OF ex-
preston, on the part OF the public, will come
that self.knogledge, seli-reliance and SELF
control which makes people happy, and
keeps them prosperous and free.
Once more we congratulate the readers oil
IHR NEWS upon the improved condition Of
South Carolina, in spite OF robbery and per-
secution. end to one and all OF them we
HEARTILY wish Happy New Tearl