Year: 1870

TO the Readers of the Register.


Today l retire from the editorial
chair of the REGISTER. For nearly
four years it has been my privilege to
supervise these columns. 1t is but
natural that abandon with pain po-
sition which 1 have held so long, and
out Of which have grown up many
pleasant relations.


In transferring my duties to other
and abler hands, deem it proper to
tender the many friends who have con-
stantly encouraged me in the work
from which now retire, the warmest
assurances of my gratitude. Taking
leave of them for another, and, trust,
no less congenial fold of labor, cannot
forget the uninterrupted kindness
shown me by the patrons of the REGIS
TER from the first day Of my connection
with the paper until the present.


The editorial life is seldom easy that
editor is indeed fortunate who can see
in his past no mistakes, who can lay
down his pen not only without regret
but with the consciousness that he has
never published aught which, dying,
he could wish to blot Claiming
no exemption from the common
lot, l am free to admit that my
errors have probably been fully pro-
portioned to the aIduousness of Demo
cratic journalism in West Virginia.
But few years ago, when passion and
prejudice possessed the public mind, it
was scarcely deemed reputable to read,
much Hess edit, Democratic paper.
To battle against this unjust opinion,
and to break it down, was the first
duty OF Dsmoor attic journals, af.er the
war. In accomplishing that object
mistakes were inevitable. The judg-
nients of men cannot be constantly ac-
curate when. exercised under sense OF
foul play. 90 long as those who at the
time to WHICH allude had the public
ear, could persuade even portion of
the people that Democratic journalism
was disreputable, SO long would Demo-
cratic journalists, worthy of the name,
carry on their warfare with far more
earnestness than prudence. lam happy
to know, however, that the days of po-
litical bigotry are about ended; that
Democracy, instead of implying re-
proach, has become highly respectable
as the dominant sentiment of this COM
munity, and that it gives fair promise
of speedily controlling the Government
of our State. 1t is now so far a power
in the State that It's opponents have
learned to treat it's representatives with
dccency. Respect upon one side must
beget courtesy upon the other. 1t
is therefore to be expected that i'll the
future of West Virginia journalism
there will be far less of acrimony than
has marked its past. Such, at least, is
my hope and presume it is shared by
the great mass of orr newspaper
readers.


When it became known that | ex-
pected to retire from the REGISTER in
order to start a new enterprise, the
newspaper fraternity of the State, as n
rule, were pleased to annex the hearth
est expressions of good will to their
notices of the contemplated change. L
sincerely thank my well-wishers among
the brethren of the press. Doubtles
there have been many things said in a
controversial way which might have
been omitted without impairing good
feeling, but when the balance is struck
/ believe am their debtor for past, as
well as present, courtesies. l therefore
take this occasion to make the proper
acknowledgment.


A word as to the future of the REGIS
TER. The years of hard labor which
have been spent in placing it upon a
permanent basis have been crowned
with success. 1t is now enjoying de-
gree of prosperity never before reached
by any paper in West Virginia. A con-
tinuance of the patronage extended 1t
heretofore will be met by renewed
enterprise on the part of its proprietors'
In politics, news, business, in all its de-
partmepts, the REGISTER will maintain
its position as the first journal in the
State. leave it with the earnest hope
that it will go on prospecting and to
prosper.


Mr.. r. H. GLASS, formerly of the
Lynchburg (Va.) Republican, will here
after be associated in the editorial con.
duct Of these columns. He will be
found in every way qualified to dis
charge the onerous duties devolving
upon him. ask for him the same gem
erous treatment which has been ex-
tended to myself from the time l came
among you as q stranger, and which no
yicissitudes can cause me to forget.
HENRY S. WALKER.
As THE readers of the REGISTER have
learned by an advertisement which has
appeared in this journal, Mr.. WALKER
is about to issue paper from Charles