The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-11-12

our great progenitor in the garden OF Eden
although 1t did prove to be most ruinous
we are told that Abraham paid to Ephron
for the cave Of Muchpelah. four hundred
shekels of silver, current money with the
merchants. And thus we see that as Tar back
as the day of the Father OF the faithful, ner-
chants were recognized as Il distinctive class,
and all down the ages even Ia the present,
merchants have played their parts and have
had place in the history OF The times IN
which they nayS LIVED The mmsten1 Sties OF
andria owed their opuience. splendor and
magnificence 10 their merchants, and what
class of men, would ask, In This our Gay,
Paris, New York, Chicago and San Francisco
what they are, than merchants.
1t WAS said by An ancient philosopher. snow
me the bards OF q country and VIII tell
The merchants of any town or city. and will
tell you what are the characteristics OF Its cit
izens No class Of men comes In closer con-
tact with the masses OF the people than the
merchants. From the very nature Of their
business they are obliged to elbow and JoStle
their neighbors In the friction of every day
affairs.
{hearted, liberal minded, public spirited, their
iimprlmateur upon the community Is bound
Ito be for good, and the very influence they ex-
cry VIII go far towards Creating ana
Just here, however, would recognize ana
{emphasize the fact that commercial greatness
! is not only closely allied with, but absolutely
dependant upon, agricultural power. Give us
prosperous farmers. and prosperous mer'
chants, then, as u matter OF course, the Whoie
body polite prospers.
Sir, II does not become me to speak In praise
Of The merchants OF Aboevtlle. would re-
mark, however, that the dream OF our mer-
chants for the last fifteen years has at last IT,
sued in reality. and we now have what we
have earnestly longed for, a great iron high-
way, opening up to us the East and the West.
By the advent OF the g., G. e. N. Il. 4. we are
placed in distinct hearing OF, and close COM
munication with, the outlying world. and al
ready we discern An awakening OF our ener-
gies and Quickening OF our activities. We
have needed railroads to discover and bring
before our eyes our natural capabilities. and
with such advantages as the g., g: n: VIII
afford us, may we not reasonably cnerlsn tne
hope that the day is not far distant when Ao-
bevllle as city will indulge in the luxuries
| Of electric lights. street cars and free postal
delivery. Let every man, woman and child
within our borders feel that upon HIM or her
Is devoved the duty Of doing something TO
advance the interests and up-huilding OF our
dear old town. and then when we have work
ed and put into vigorous exercise All our
pluck, push, perseverance and progressive
ness, with n,llid pesti0id retrorsuna enblazon'
ed upon our ensigns, and excelsior for our
motto, soon, very soon, we will take the rank
and position we are entitled to, alongside OF
our other Piedmont sisters,-AnderSon, Spar
tanburg and Greenyille.
"Abbeville, old Abbeville. heavens blessings
attend her,
While we live we will cherish, protect and de-
Though writings may scof at, and towards
defame her,
Our hearts swell with pride whenever we
name her."