The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1909-12-24
WHO SHALL BE THE NEsroRY

tor" question. Thus far Editor Cald-
well of the Jasper News is in the
lead, with forty-nine years of contin-
uOus service on the Florida press.
Editor Harris and Editor Bittinger of
Ocala have not entered their claims
as yet, doubtless due 70 their mOdesty
about revealing their exact ages. I'm
| less a superior claim is made before
January l, the Tribune will award the
palm to the Jasper veteran.-Tampa
Tribune.
This is an honor that is not par
lticularly desirable. 1t is, indeed, a
distinction to be avoided rather than
sought. especially since a man past
sixty is fit neither for treason, STRAIT
egem nor spoils." According to the
logic of a distinguished scientist he is
fit only to adorn the chlorOform chair.
! Despite our cry, time refuses to
turn back in her flight" So We sup
pose that it is just as we'll to say that
we are no longer youthful, and make
candid confession.
When the editor Of this paper had
his first introduction into a printing
Office Madison S. Perry was govern
or OF Florida and David L. YUlee was
our senior United States senator. The
Little Ratchet Greek war" was on.
1t seems that the governor wanted
Mr.. Yulee's railroad, which was then
building on down the peninsular, TO
make a detOur and go by Little
Hatchet Creek" hard by his planta-
ton. The senator refused to DO so,
the governor refused to sign the
bonds, and the war was on.
After that came the great campaign |
Of 1860.
For intensity of feeling and vivid |
ness Of oratOry. it has never since had |
its counterpart.
John Milton was the democratic
candidate for governor and Edward
Hopkins the whig candidate. Each
man had a skeleton hid away in his
closet and both were fully exposed.
Wilk Call was one Of the whig eect-
Ors and his brother, George Call, was
one Of the democratic electors. They
canvassed the state together. and
made the political atmosphere lurid
with their impetuous oratory. Rlox-
ham made his political debut that
year and was everywhere il demand.
Lincoln, Douglas. Bell and Breckin-
ridge were the candidates for presi- :
dent, and the bells that were rung in
that campaign are ringing in our ears
even now with their tintintabulations.
The refrain was more intense than
the feHcitOus cadences to the poem
which added so much 10 Poe's immor- !,
-ality. :
Then came the election for dele :
gates 70 the secession convention. :
which was to dissolve the bands that :.
bound US TO the federal union.
How vivid are those scenes. How =
veil we remember when the intelIi-
yence was received that the ordinance
lad passed. Il was hailed with the
inging Of bells, Examinations. torch
Ugh professions and scenes of reveL
Y throughout all the cities Of Florida.
Then came wars wild alarums: the
ramp of soldiers: the rattle of mus .,
-etry and the roar Of heavy artillery, :
5 Of distant thunder. :.
Then the surrender. ?,
Il has been the lot of few people -
have undergone severer experience o.
s or witnessed greater transforma- .,
ions
We have photographed on our mind p,
picture. the reproduction of which RI
lay give some idea of the height and fo
epth Of those experiences. T.
This picture is of a plantation on RI
hich there were more than one hun -
red slaves. 1t was like a little king oh
ON, and was much happier than a of
reat many. Tariffs and trusts gave in
no concern. 1t raised its own wool 10,
Id cotton and did its own weaving. fe,
had its looms and its spinning
heels; it had its wheelright and on
acksmith shop; it had its own grist do
Id saw mill; it tanned its own leath- CT.
and manufactured its own shoes: FL,
made its own wagons, its plows and NJ
oughshares; it had its own carpen- or,
RS and masOns, and erected its own wa
ildings, and the products of its the
lokehouse and dairy would have va,
IN the blue ribbon at our late Ma :
IN County Fair. The male and fe- foo
he members Of the household had on,
cir man servants and maid servants. no
d their horses and equippages. and orb
cir every beck and call and wish bIa
re anticipated and gratified more ron
IN any prince or potentate of earth. tim
i having no thought of the morrow. tbi,
was a sweet and endless song. fro,
The editor of this paper was adont -