Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1912-12-20
HAS ALWAYS STOOD TRUE TO IT'S
IDEALS.

Twenty-one years ago the Savannah
Press was founded by its present pro-
prietor and editor, Hon. Pleasant A.
Stovall 1t was a lusty bantling. II
had the usual struggles that accom-
pany infancy, whether it be in the
realm of nature or in the business
world. AT times its outlook may have
grown a little dark but as an offset
there was a tinge. of optimism in the
makeup of the editor that drove the
clouds away before they could settle.
In a year or two it had become fix
ture of Savannah life and of Georgia
journalism, waxing in strength with
every day, broadening as its field
broadened and it's opportunities in
creased, ever steering true to its
North star of Democratic principles,
never compromising with evil at home
or abroad.
Founded on the solid basis of I'M
wearying devotion to the interests or
it's constituency, The Press has seen
its circulation growing steadily and
| it's influence becoming more marked
with every year. The confidence of the
public in its probity has never been
| disturbed, but has been strengthened
by its attitude on all the important is
sues that have arisen in the twenty
one years that have passed since its
/ initial issue appeared At times its
| judgment has been counter to the
views of a temporary majority of its
parry. 1t stood steadfastly for sound
mcney when the party pursued the
:gnus fdtuuS of free silver. 1t CON
batted otner financial or econo-n c
heresies that have at times arisen to
disturb party harmony and bring upon
it the retribution of defeat. When
others assailed Grover Cleveland it
stood staunchly by that courageous
leader of Democracy. 1t has never
wavered as to tariff reform, denying
the specious arguments of the alleged
Southern school of protection that had
it's birth in Atlanta, and still survives
in Louisiana. The timidity of posi-
BILE defeat has never slackened its de-
vOtion to what it deemed the right. To
be in the minority has had no terrors
for it. 1t knew that right must event
ually triumph and has felt the inspir-
alton that Lowell says he derived
from the contemplation of the appar-
ent hopelessness of the cause that was
in such a minority on Calvary.
The Press has never kept its straws
out to see which way the popular
winds were tTansiently blowing. No
paper that does that can hope to be
OF permanent strength, to long grip
to itself the esteem of it's public. The
trucker, whether he be an editor or
merely politician, is never long I'M
covered. There is admiration for tn
man who stands for what he deems
right, there is contempt in the end for
the wishv-washy waverer whose only
standard is that of getting on th5
stronger side for the moment And
because the Savannah Press has never
been guilty of that its utterances TODAY
have a strength and significance that
are perhaps far out of proportion %
it's circulation, large though that has
become.
In the recent presidential primary
, in Georgia and prior to that. The
Press was one of the stanchest Wilson
standard bearers in the South II
went down in defeat in Georgia only
to rise on the topmost wave of a NOR,
glorious victory at Baltimore 4
picked the winner" but it did not
pick him through the intuition of the
skilled po litician It picked him
through its faith in the people, in
the sincerity of their demands and in
the strength of their position. That
faith sustained it when others regard
ed the Wilson cause as lost. 1t fought
more earnestly for him as the trib-
une of the people when his candidacy
seemed doomed to defeat than when
the prospects had been bright with
hope In this the Savannah Press
was simply true to its ideals. And
because it stood steadfast, and refused
to be cajoled, or tempted, or intimi-
dated, The Press today finds itself
stronger in the party counses
stronger in the confidence of the
masses of the party in Georgia than
at any previous time in its history.
IL = .