The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser., 1922-12-22
A RETROSPECT
DEAR ENQUIRER:

DEAR ENQUIRER:
Forty years ago about the 2Oth
of December | assumed the edl-
torship of the ENQUIRER. lWell
remember writing a salutatory
article and then a Christmas Ed
itorial. It is a long retrospect but
resplendent with many bright
memories. Of course, the PERIOD
has been full of cares and respon-
sibilities, difficulties and perplex-
tiles. 1t required patience and
perseverance more than possess
now, but youth has a full share
of enthusiasm and hope.
Hope alone kept. me going for
many months. It pains me to
think of the changes that have
occurred in this little portion of
the world during the past forty
years. How many dear friends
have gone to the great beyond!
New foSms and faces have come
to take their places, and, after all,
life does not seem very different.
The books I read in the early
years of my life are still in my
library, and when | handlelthem
and perhaps read again | seem
to be associating with my youth
full companions, and the thoughts
and aspirations of those days
seem to be revived.
Forty years ago I wrote my
first Christmas editorial and |
have written many since. I'm
fortunately the inspiration now
seems torpid. Why is it? Does
advanced age so affect us?
Bright, joyous little grandchil-
dren ought to be an inspiration,
and would that | could say some
thing that might bring rays of
sunshine to happy young hearts.
But visions of Santa Claus are
more suggestive of generous
deeds rather then idle words.
Visible manifestations of gener-
osity appeal strongly to all hu-
man beings, and the young es-
pecialIy are won by gifts and
tender tokens of affection.
When we pause to think how
glorious is our Christmas her
itage of love and good will, we
cannot help being profoundly
thank full for the opportunities and
impulses to bring comfort and
joy and happiness even though 1T
be to only one individual. But
these opportunities are manifold,
and those who bury selishness
and resentment will find their
greatest pleasure at this glad
season.
Someone has said, children
are the keys of Paradise" and
perhaps in ministeringr to the
pleasures and happiness of chill
dren we are drawn nearer to the
celestial realm. and gather
strength for holy and noble
deeds. For this reason it may
be that at this season the whole
world seems aglow with ra-
dance from the star of benevo-
lence, and missives of love and
deeds of charity are heralded
from every quarter.
This was intended as brief
retrospect, but it has already
reached proportions that I did
not anticipate. There are many
incidents in my experience dur
ing almost a half century that
might be woven into a story that
would possess some interest. No
matter how life may be tinged
with sorrow, there are bright
recollections to illumine the
past. In 1882 | extended the
greetings of the Christmas sea-
son to the readers of this jour-
nal, and again through the mer-
cy of kind Providence | have
the opportunity to send a mes
sage to the world at large and
particularly to our friends and
benefactors. A Happy Christ
mas to all the readers of The
ENQUIRER, and joyous realiza-
tion, in the coming year. of their
most cherished desires and am
bitions!
FREDERICK SASSCER.