The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-12-31
THE OLD AND THE NEW YEAR

While there are differences of opinion,
locally, when attempt is made to sum up
the record Of the year that is passing out
today, this newspaper believes that on the
whole 1887 was a somewhat better year in
this section than 1886. Which is not to
say that all come to the end of the year
successful, prosperous and satisfied. Some
of our people have taken highly unpleas-
ant beatings this year in their enterprises
and operations. This has been the expert
ence of some for the past seven years or
longer and, of course, the experience is
becoming rather monotonous and discour-
aging. to say the least of it. Others have
been fairly successful and ought to be gra-
tilted, in fact. enthusiastic, that their rec
ord is such as it is.
The estimate of The Times-News is,
therefore, based on general conditions in
HenderSonville and the territory surround
ing this place and is not intended to apply
TO individual cases.
AT any rate, 1887 is passing into history;
the twelve months are behind us, and good
or bad, there is nothing we can do at this
last hour to change the record of what has
passed into history. Let US appreciate the
good received during the year and forget
the bad, except to profit in so far as we
may from our experiences and the lessons
learned
We should face the facts of conditions,
locally and nationally, as they are, and not
attempt to play the ostrich game Of stick
ing our heads in the sand. However, there
is nothing to be gained, of temporary or
lasting benefit, by sit-down, do-nothing
policies, in our personal affairs or in COM
munity affairs. The best course for indi-
viduals and communities is always that
course dictated by moral courage, by OPP
timism, and by determination to look facts
in the face, fight issues to a decision, and
overcome our difficulties and handicaps.
A town and section with limited indus
trial development, like Hendersonville and
this section, does not so quickly feel the
results of depression or recession" as the
great industrial areas of the country. On
the other hand, it may be slower to re-
cover and, certainly, recovery Will not
make such rapid progress or go so far as
in the Piedmont area of our own State and
similar sections over the nation.
This newspaper believes, however, that
in this community and section the present
trend of economic and general business de-
Velopments can be cushioned, or minimized
or made less harmful to the region by
adopting and pursuing that course of ac-
tivity previously suggested.
Let us then be up and doing in the new
year. We have nothing to lose by taking
this course and we certainly have nothing
TO gain, and easily add to our uncertain
Ties, perplexities and losses, by adopting
the opposite course.
If our people maintain their activities to
the best of their abilities and to the largest
possible extent, meeting unfavorable con-
ditions with punch calculated to slow up,
at least, the things which would hinder
and handicap them, it is certain they can
make 1888 better year than it would
otherwise be.
Encouraged by the record of 1887 and
confident that we of Hendersonville and
that small area of the State in which we
are directly interested, can do better in
1888, let us resolve to greet tomorrow's
coming with high courage and determine
ton, with cheerfulness and optimism.
s .