The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-25
DEC. .95,l.ss5.
APRIL
NEARLY rH1RrY-sEyEr YEARS.
Some Facts and Some "Reminiscences
OF p Long and LaborIOus Career.

Some Facts and Some "Reminiscences
OF q Long and Jaborious Career.
With grateful heart, the Press and Banner
recognizes the goodness or the Giver or ey-
cry good and perfect gIf. ~ s.s Z. q
With the consciousness Of having no thten-s
the labors and struggles Of the year which IS :
closing, we welcome the Christmas holidaya.
and. with proper spirit, we hope to enter
upon the festivities incident TO the Joyous
occasion. sd -. q y 81
with deep sense OF obligation to gene
rous public who have awarded that support
which Is Strengthening and assuring, we look
cheerfully TO the future.
The way that the people OF AbbeyiiIe Coun-
ty have stood 70 this paper, and excused Us Z
errors, aud rewarded It's virtues. for more
than thirty years, is u solid and substan tiaI
comfort to him who has striyen to do his 4
TIE people of no county In the State have
stood more steadfastly TO their paper than the 4
Press and Banner, in many OF whose homes
the paper has been welcome guest for gen.
Grafton. K, Z ;. q "a 1,
original subscribers are still With Ms today,
In the great majority Of instances they have
crossed the River and Joined the silent ma
Ir Cling to the the paper pv % as an Of Old friend. ri
In 1853 the independent Press was started,
and q greater number OF the original sub
scribers TO that paper are with as now, bgt
even this number is small. Like the sub
scribers TO the Banner in 1874, those OF 1858
who subscribed to the Independent Press, and i
who still live, are friends TO the paper. II
On April l, 1853, the editor OF the Press and
Banner appeared on the scene as owner Of q &
halEinterest In the paper but II; was not for
many years afterward. that he assumed TO do
any part Of the editing OF the paper. His du.s
In 1869 the two papers were consolidated,
and the two lists were merged. ~ ~
A great number OF the subscribers aimee the !,
war are with us still. though In many in.s.
and their children fll up the gap occasioned I
by the death OF honored sires. 3 s
In all these years this editor has made mis-
takes, but generous. public has always been
our virtues have been most liberaiiy re-
warded. 5E ~
While In some years the paper has BEEN
true, that there has never been q year 10 4
which the man who printed IL did not receive
some return for his labor. z: - III
4 Oflste years our labor has been more H1er-$
ally rewarded than In former years.
In the conduct OF our paper we have striven
to be honest, and, according 70 the lights be
fore US. have expressed opinions on pnblic
questions trrsspeetii,s Of the ISpnlat or
expressions have occasionally for time ex.
cited the displeasure OF our friends, but not
withstanding that difference OF opinion, the
their friendship TO the paper. In like manner
we have borne no malice ,or Ill will toward
those who have been unkind, but We have al.
ways preferred the restoration OF amicables
and friendly relations. We would NOT, if we
could, injure any man In good name or es.s
tate. {s 1ss., " n y q Y, -
AS matter OF principle, this newspaper
according due respect TO others il has not ai IS
lowed its policy to be shaped or controlled by
any body, and IL has never taken any newspa-
per, or any politician. as file leader. Cur
own conception OF the meri.- OF each and ey.
cry question. i, K. ~, yl.3
we. have been at all times deferentlala and
absolutely independent, without references tos
the opinions OF others, excepting aiwaye
where reason has been appealed 70. and where
convincing facts have been presented.
or course, when newspaper chooses to- fe.
sometimes, make mistakes, and that seIEfe-
liant action must Inevitably suffer criticism
from those who believe that they are wiser
and possibly possess something OF, the divine
right to form public opinion and who may
claim the ability TO dictate the opinions OF
the weekly press OF the State.
This newspaper believes that honesty Of
purpose, with the courage to express conylc-
tions, must necessarily bring censure from
those men and those newspapers which diner J.
In opinion and which assume TO be wiser and
better. SIS as s. Z. n.
In the conduct OF our paper, we have sought
have served the public. Z y n csS
While we have been "willing TO praise, We
have not been afraid to blame"
AS q matter OF principle, we have always
tried 10 be true TO any and every friend who
has given evidence OF that friendship and, as
far as we now recollect, no man has ever
charged this newspaper With ingratitude. We Z
bave stood To friendi, even TO our own hutt,il
and we have stood to them no matter how
fierce the storm may have ragged.
h Whatever success may have come to % Is i
largely based on the fact OF fidelity TO friends
and conscientious discharge Of duty 70 the
public. egy.
Whether man Is grateful or not, It should
be matter Of principle to be true and faith.
ful to every friend-uo matter who he ts or
what may be his social or political Standing.
Every editor should have o good memory,
He should remember his friends, and he
need not forget his enemies. fS
With q good memory and some patience,
the editor has only TO walt little while for
his opportunity. ,-a- y. 1t
If his friend or his enemy is worthy OF his
STEEL the editor will surely fiud an opportun-
ity TO be little useful TO the one, and little
dangerous to the other.
Having had q year OF satisfactory business,
and having enjoyed the friendship and fdeli -
ty OF so large proportion OF the people,
we feel In q good humor with AL man.
kind, and have no reason for natred
or jealousy Of anybody. We, therefore. with
peace and goodwill In our heart, wish each
and every reader OF the Press and Banner all