Smyrna times., 1894-06-06
Our Fortieth Birthday.

With this number The SMYRNA
TIMES commences on its fortieth year.
1t was established in 1854 by the pres
ent proprietor, the press and type hav-
ing been previously used in publishing
for several years what was called the
DeIGUare Herald. The present pro-
prietor has not been consecutively the
whole time in charge of the paper, his
brother, Joseph H., taking it the year
after the war and running it very pop
ularly for period of between eleven
and twelve years, relinquishing it be-
cause of failing health. 1t thus came |
again into the hands of its founder |
nearly seventeen years ago, who has
labored with two objects in view-to
make it a success and to advance the
interests of the community. The time
thus covered has been fraught with
many questions affecting the public
veal, the most momentous of which
was the civil war. When it became a
question of union or disunion and the
nation divided into warning factions,
the writer took his stand decidedly for
one nation and one flag floating over a
free people. Those who combatted
this position then have long since
ceased to do so, but rather to acqui-
esce if not justify more heartily than
they give expression, all that was
done to maintain the Union.
Following this the re-adjustment of
political affairs of national and State
Importance, as we'll as great issues of
a moral character for the betterment
of society, have come along in the sue
ceeding years, that need not be named,
but to the individual of convictions
they could neither be evaded nor
ignored. The writer may have erred
in method or manner of reaching re-
suits, but he has no apologies to make
for following his convictions or holding
up measures that he felt sure were for
the public good.
1t is a satisfaction in looking back
over the past to find that nearly every
political and economic question main
tanned by the TIMES has subsequently,
been acquiesced in or is in the favor
able but slow process that seems a ne
cessary accompaniment in working out
moral reforms. The greatest him
drance comes from a want of honesty
and squareness with individuals, who
maintain they are free, but are the
veriest slaves of leaders. There are
still questions unsolved. If the shack
les were removed from men who dc
not think they wear them, important
results might be more readily attained
While with all, circumstances may
modify actions, it should never modify
convictions, and when the time comes
that men can be themselves rather thar
the reflected light of another, reforms
will work with much greater speed
Holding these views the TIMES has
but one course to pursue, viz: NOV,
straight along in the path in which i
has been moving. Directness is no
always satisfactory to those who hav,
a purpose otherwise, but there is salts
faction at the terminus, if not before i
is reached.
1t gives US pleasure to know tha
the TIMES in these forty years ha
been plant of steady growth, and
stronger to-day than at any period Q
its existence. Recognizing the fac
that the demands of the communit
have been for local news, it has beel
our aim to put before our readers
paper which has not only tried to uI
hold their best interest, but to give
steady news serviee,-in Vicinity, i
State and Peninsula. We feel CRATE
ful to our subscribers for their contir
ued patronage (some dating back
our frst number), and hope to max
the paper as interesting to them in tn
future as the past. To our advertii
ers we have given the benefit of
three-fold circulation-passing froI
home to home in our most substantis
population. Being thus the mediui
through which the news and bushes
of the community circulates, we as
for the continued reciprocation an
cooperation of those who wish to az
vance the interest of their locality.