The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-01-11
The Press and Banner
Wednesday, Jan. II. 1888.
A Matter OF Regret

VNAVSOoy o"A' 49, ASSS'
A Matter of Regret.
The Columbia Register of yesterday an
nounoes the withdrawal of Col. j. P. Thomas
from the editorial department of that paper
The press and the people Of this State have
cause for regret.
The reasons for the retirement Of Colonel
Thomas are best explained, as follows:
To THE PUBL1c.-The undersigned assumed
the editorship of the C6lu1,biq Register IN inc
prehension of his trust sought TO do the work
of the independent Journalist In presenting
the truth, political, industrial and ethical, rs
itor have usually been in thorough accord
and do not hesitate to declare that Mr.. Calvo
has high conception Of his duty, and is brave
to do it. Recently, however, the eaitor ,,S anH
mutual respect and regard, not wholly IN
agreement. The undersigned. while prepared
to bow to the popular will, legally expressed
in true Democratic fashion. Is OF the 4pinii4,n
that the assumption by the city of Columbia
of the completion of the Columbia Canal m
wolves principles OF legislation TO which ms
mind cannot assent: Wnile, tnereiore, nv nv
hopes and peoples desires, he must decline
to advocate by argument measure which
however full Of material good, contains INT
The proprietor thinks otherwise, and, like
the majority of the community, ought &c
have his way. Entertaining these views
have decided to relinquish my editorship OF
this paper in order to give the proprietor the
opportunity OF putting it In accordance WIN
his convictions. If the guarantee be voted
then shall most likely unite with the CON- ON
enterprise. need hardly say how much | de
sire the welfare of this city and OF this State
or my contemporaries Of the press, both o.
the State and beyond the State, / take my
leave with sentiments of high consideration
and with cordial good wishes. If any senst
bilities have been wounded. / regret 1t. Tc
the generous men who have strengthened me s
with their praise for honest purpose and high
intent,I extend my Acknowledgement AnG
to all the persons connected with this journal
I give the assurance OF my friendly feelings
As further explanation, we publish the let
ter of Mr.. Calvo, proprietor of the Register, as
follows:
COLONEL THoMAs's RET1REMENT.-For the
reasons stated in his card, Colonel Thomas
relinquishes the position on this paper he
has SO acceptably maintained for the past SIX
months. part with him with regret, and
feel that the ISL; Of the STATE T rom SUI
ranks. Ny convictions OF the duty owe tc
the community, and my sympathies with
them in the movement now In hand for the
ity. demand that the Register shall editorially
place on record whatever may be honestly
said in furtherance Of a favorable vote on the
canal guarantee Ihave had no apprehension
that the measure would not prevail, and as
lar as she presentation Of further argument
goes. do not deem 1t at all essential. 1 never
theless recognize tho fact that the commun
ity have right to expect the Register to re
shall do. I only regret thai the duty rem
ders 1t necessary to sever rels.tlons win
man whose convictions Of his duty have
never yielded to motives OF expedlency even
in the face of an overwhelming public senti,
ment against him, and whom esteem most
highly as man and an editor:
The letters are frank and manly, and
worthy of their authors, but as to the necessi'
ty or propriety of Colonel Thomass retire
ment there may be question.
II the Register is State paper, speaking fol
the people of the whole State, then we sub
init that the resignation Of Colonel Thomas
was uncalled for, and the requirement thai
the paper should advocate particular line o
policy for any particular locality, was also
mistake.
We presume, since theState has been reliev
ed of the burden, that nine-tenths OF the read
ers OF the Register care nothing at all about
the canal, or what may become OF It,
linen, IL lLlb pC tiuC, oLoiA WIZ PoNf'S NS>
the press of the State be denied the benefit
the example and the labors Of scholar
whose ability and whose honesty of speech Il
only equalled by his courage and courteous
manners?
The conduct OF the Ne,cs and Courier In al
ways espousing the cause Of Charleston, NJ
matter whether or not the interests Of tina
city were at variance with the interests of th'
people, is scarcely less Objectionable than th'
surroundings which compel the resignation o
the editor upon whom the eyes of this coun
try are being turned. and to whom we look 70
an intelligent and correct expression of pub
lie ooinion in South Carolina.
Shall the Columbia canal deprive the peopl
OF the services of one Of the best editors IL
the State, and all forsooth because he does no
favor the saddling upon the city Of an un
profitable debt which will be depressing
burden upon the business and prosperity @
the city from which this generation of its cit
izens will find no relief, except in the grave.
Are the people of the State to be forever rel
gated to the rear, that the city Of Charleston
and the Columbia canal may be brought con
spicuously forward It?
Shall the people have no paper which ma.
truly represent their interests, and whcl
shall be free from the prejudices of the partic
ular locality in which 1t is printed?