The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-05-26

The Press Association.
The State Press Association met last night
in Newberry, and we presume the editors are
now having a royal good time. We have
heard that the people OF Newberry were
making great arrangements to give the mem
bers an excellent entertainment. The editor
of the Press and Banner acknowledges the re-
ceipt OF an invitation to be present, which
invitation is In these words:
You are cordially invited to be present at
banquet to the South Carolina state Press
Association to be given by the cltlzens OF
Newberry, 5. C., at The Newperry, May t"en'
ty-slxth, 10 p. m. ls9.
tmay be said that the editor Of the Press
and Banner-when quite young man-left
the parental root to take up his home In that
city. He had served his apprenticeship al
Due West, going home ou Saturday evenings
from the Office and returning to his work on
Monday mornings, and so 1t was, that not un.
til he went to Newberry was he ever away
from home for more than a week at a time.
That was In 1855.
And there Is TO day no place on earth
outside of Abbeville, for which we have as
cordial friendship as we have for New
berry. The name OF the place has pleasant
associations, and the fragrance Of sweet mem
ories always fingers about the town thai
more than forty years ago-so kindly treated
the stranger within it's gates. Some oi
the pleasantest memories of life which has
been more or less checkered are connected
with Newberry and 1856, and, like all other
men, who have reached the shady side Of life,
this editor has In his heart lingering de-
sire to visit and to see the place OF the
youthful asSociatlons-which were pleasant
and lovely.
But, while the town is the same, with
much added growth, yet We presume that
nearly all OF the men who walked the
streets of Newberry in 1855 have long since
Joined the silent majority or else they have
sought homes in distant places. Except Col.
John R. Level and Mr.. Richard Greneker, both
OF whom We believe are still living, 1t is likely
that all the rest have passed away.
AS youth. and as q journeyman printer,
this editor had few intimate associates, but
he felt that each and every citizen Of that
town, with wh ON he was acquainted, was
friendly and kindly, and some of the older
and better citizens offered encouragement
and a helping hand to the struggling youth.
With the recollection OF associations like
these 1t is not strange II the editor OF the
Press and Banner should like 10 be with
and meet the descendants OF former
generation. But under the circumstances.
this editor may not 60 to this meeting OF
the State Press Association.
The President Of the State Press Associa-
tion, whose home Is in Newberry, has, with
a single honorable exception. never men
toned this newspaper. except In sneering
way, and recently he has made the editor OF
this newspaper a target for his official full
limitations. Whatever the facts may be, we
presume that his action in this particular Is
without precedent. The President of an AS
ISOLATION has never before. to our knowledge.
used his official name, either TO crafty per-
sonal spite, or TO hold brother up to public
ridicule.
1t may be that we erred In discussing pro-
gram, ofthe excursion to Nashville, in which
we may have been foolish enough to believe
that each member Of the Association was
equally interested.
We thought no disrespect to the President
OF the Association and therefore could have
uttered no disrespect.
But, in this particular matter, 1t is needless
oSS@> W.
lie, or where the wrong may rest. We have
no disposition to blame the President for
efforts in his desire to make the excursion a
great success, but 1t is exceedingly painful
when be uses his official position in an effort
10 bring this editor into ridicule before peo-
pie whom we respect, as we do the people OF
Newberry. We are sorry that the President
OF the South Carolina State Press Association
should make this newspaper the subject Of
official circulars, which circulars had for their
purpose, the injury of brother, especially at
o time when he had reason to hope for
pleasant reunion with the brethren.
In order. therefore, that we may never
again offend by discussing matter in which
we are as much interested as any other men,
Der, we have written to the Secretary to erase
the name of this editor from the rolls Of the
Association.
Having now Withdrawn from the Associ-
alton, we will never again be tempted
to criticise the excursion programs, and its
officers may not In future be prompted to
make sneers at one who has, since its
organization, been identified with the Associ-
alton.