Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-03-30
And Now; Finis.

Ute end crowns all; &ea
And that old common arbitrator, Time,
vii one day end it."
Men must endure
Their going hence, even as their coming
hitber;
Ripencss is ALL
Time ranks higher with us than as a
mere arbitrator: he is just judge and
a bronze listed executioner. When
"Time Is up the signal is displayed In
rnmistakable characters and it is only
the wilfullv blind or the foolishly OBJ
durate who try conclusions with the
venerable old Gentleman of the Scythe
and spare habiliments. Spanning the
virile period of life. twenty-five years
and more, Time has seemingly awaited
our pleasure; the while, however, more
or less concerned, probably, at the non.
chalance with which we spent it. and
the apparent unconcern with which we
have permitted its recurring cycles to
foot total dlsproportionate to results
However, "Ripeness is ALP and the
perfecting of ripeness is the sign Of the
coming garnering. There Is just pos
sibility that too much is put at risk in
the smile of ripeness, as there is, you
know, stage beyond; a condition of
unftness due to oyermuch of the ripe
Mug process; and, between US, "there>s
something in it,
To approach the matter of last
word, as your editor, in a prosaic way,
in the interest of The CLARION and its
constituency and himself, change is
deemed advisable. From THE CLAIR
IONS standpoint there is probably less
ground than from that of its constit-
uency; you have received less than you
have given and, with exceptions go rare
that they need not be taken into the
account. you have given it ungrudglng
ly: you stand to gain, therefore, and
our going will not prove to be an evil
of even diluted type, or regret that
should not be readily mended. Do not
misapprehend our meaning: any hu-
man, who had been the beneficiary of
kindnesses to the extent they have been
measured out to US and who, at parting,
could assess these ties as "ropes of sand"
would be an outer barbarian; on the
other hand, do not accredit us with a
conceit that would seem to say that ex-
cept we say a proper word to console
you, you will be inconsolable. The
situation ia neither that nor this: our
place will be flled-easily filled-flled
chock FULL but there is a niche in our
memory-and we trust in yours-over
which may be read the legend Sincere
ly yours" and in which enshrined Is an
image "more lasting than brass
On the LIST day of November, 1879,
with Mr.. Edgar L. Root, we undertook
the publication of THE CLARION, In
May, 1882. Mr.. Root withdrew from
the business and since that time we have
been sole editor and publisher. Today
we relinquish the task and hand over
the work to The CLARION PUBLISHING
COMPANY, a joint stock association num-
bering among the shareholders repre-
sentatives of the younger, intelligent,
aggressive, successful business men of
this town and of the northern section Of
the county. They have substantial
basis Of responsibility, both as to tone
and business upon which to build and
if they do not lower their aim and are
steady in the policy as briefly outlined
TO US, The CLARION, in brief while,
will be recognized as most potent fac.
tor in the advancement Of the moral,
material and intellectual good of the
northern section Of the county.
That local newspaper should be ad'
judged necessity, rather than con-
venience, Is appreciated by the fair
minded men of every community pos
sessing one; every one should be edu-
Gated up to that point and govern him
self accordingly; not doing out patron
age as favor, but giving the news.
paper support because of the hundred
and one avenues through which it serves
the community as no other agency can
serve it and in the sterling results of
which service every member of the
community shares. Familiarity breeds
contempt" and it is not difficult to un'
dsrstand how the "1t's here and we'll
have to support it" idea comes to OYER
shadow and mask the real situation,
which. if you will give it bit of hon
esi thought, is, that it would be but
brief while until all would agree that
something indispensable had gone from
you, we're it to come to pass that you
should be without local newspaper.
TEE CLARION has advocated and re-