The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-11-04
Wednesday, Nov. 4, 1896.
They BE Bought {:


remark more particularly on custom Of the
South Carolina State Press Association, we
copy the following resolutions, so that the
whole matter may be brought up. From the
Associate Reformed Presbyterian of recent
date we take these paragraphs:
"We, certain members of the Associate Re-
formed Synod desire TO give expression 10
our appreciation OF the kind and unremit-
ting attention of Col.--- in secur-
ing for US special privileges over his lines,
and for the comfort and reduced rates OF the
trip, resolved,
20 That requested
to purchase a suitable testimonial. with pro
per inscription and forward same 10 eoi'
these resolutions.
AS an individual we have always protesteu
against the purchase Of suitable testlno-
mails" for anybody. Our idea Is, that resoiu'
tions which are expressive of appreclatlon'
where such testimonial is deserving, and In
accordance with the facts, are eminently pro
per and in good form.
But the presentation OF stick, UT 'he
purchase OF suitable testlmoni'Ai 49, az,
oorGing to our way of thinkins' not IN goou
taste. In the practical bp.J,ness "oriu' tne
presentation OF an ar.,Icle OF value under
s,,o,a-c rcumstance ce,s, means too often that the
>s.uc.l courtesies and favors would
Rmself by contributing fifteen
40 yEe purchase OF a suitable testimo-
nial."
For this reason we think certain men,
bers" OF the Associate Reformed Synod have
fallen into the same error which has existed
in the State Press Association.
The second resolution must be misprint
in some way, or else the writer's head must
have been badly ratified by the racket OF the
rails. That resolution, as printed, reads as
follows:
purchase a suitable testi,non ial with proper In
scrlption and forward same to Col.-
with these resolutions
One of our dictionaries says that "testimo-
NAL" means "a writing or certificate"
Well, now, we have not the slightest idea
that the gentleman named was requested 10
purchase "a writing or certificate" of their
high esteem for the railroad magnate.
That paragraph, as printed, would seem TO
indicate that there was necessity for either
a correction of morals or an improvement In
English.
II we are not out OF order, we might go q
step further, and remark on the thousand
and one "testimonials' which, we think, are
purchased" or paid for by f1attery or by
the giving Of gift Of little value.
Citizens of character, and intelligence, and
integrity should be slow to lend themselves
to the schemes OF men who would make mer'
chandise OF the good names of the gudgeons
whom they seduce from the paths of recti-
tude.
Above all, the men to whom the people
nd frnc n6
Iors, should be slow to give "testlmonials" on
subjects OF which the average citizen knows
that they are ignorant, or at most, are but
poorly informed.
There are times when the most cautious OF
US need guardians, and there are occasions
when we need help to remain in the right
path. What then shall we think OF the man
who will lend his influence and his good
name to be used in leading US astray, or In
inducing us to spend our money with strang-
ers and for goods which we do not need.
Why should an educated respected citizen
give a book agent or the seller OF pills GER
tificate, when he has not read the book, or
when he knows very little of medicine gen.
orally, and certainly knows nothing OF the
ingredients Of the pills, and, II even II ne
knew their component parts, is ignorant OF
their effect on the human body?
Let selirespecting citizens cease to allow
the use Of their names to the vendors of arti'
cles which need recommendation, and when
recommended may not be Of special value 70
the buyer. When book agent, or the seller
OF pills, presents the name of a prominent
citizen, as vouching for the value or excel
lence Of the swindle, ask him if he "purchas'
ed the testimonial" by the gift Of articles OF
value, or If he received 1t as reward for
fattery Of the gudgeon.