After an unequal contest of more than four years at the editorial chair of the VINEYARD GAZETTE we resign our duties to other hands. We do not drop the pen without regret, for, with the many unpleasant issues that arise from such a position, there must be some agreeable associations to which, in all coming time, we shall look back with pleasure, and shall only regret that mingled with these associations there should be some unpleasant memories of the perversity and selfishness of humanity.
There are interests in every community that, at times, either through selfishness or in the earnest strife in the Battle of Life, must clash, end we doubt not but that, in advocating some measure or cause, looking from our standpoint, we may have conflicted with opinions that have been formed by taking a different base for a starting point of reasoning. This was unavoidable. We, however, made no “iron bedstead” to which we would have every person and every measure conform. but rather held to a liberal, progressive policy, advocating every cause for the good of the whole county, trying to do our duty, our whole duty, to our readers, without prejudice or malice aforethought.
To our readers who have followed us along in our short career, and borne with our infirmities, and sustained our endeavors, we would pen a parting word. You will remember that your paper is the barometer of your local life, and as you encourage and sustain it, it will prosper and reflect the commercial and intellectual standing of the community. As it prospers and becomes sound, healthy in its tone, it will have isa practical influence upon the people, but If you neglect and discourage it the character of your people must retrograde, your business stagnate, and, finally, if it languishes it is a sure precursor of the poverty that is about to creep within your limited circle of local life.
To those who have put forth a helping hand in our behalf — contributed to the intelligence of the island — we would extend our thanks, wishing for them prosperity in all their untdertakings, and, at last, a rich reward for the good deeds done in the body.
Mr. CHARLES MACREADING VINCENT, who assumes the responsibilities we now put off from us, is a young man well known to the island people, and there is no need of word of commendation from us. He is a practical man, of good habits, well informed in his duties, and will labor earnestly for the upbuilding of the interests of the island, and we bespeak for him the cooperation of every Vineyarder, at home or abroad.
The GAZETTE, under the judicious management of its founder, EDGAR MARCHANT, ESQ., grew to be a power in the community, and was liberally supported by natives of the Vineyard, at home and abroad. Having a laudable ambition for business more commensurate with the experience gained in building up this institution, Mr. M. sold this paper to MR. JANES M. COOMS, JR., and has since been successful in other fields of labor.
Mr. Cooms devoted himself to the duties incumbent upon him as editor with that degree of earnestness so characteristic of the man, and which has gained for him success and the encomiums of many friends. He now retires with the best wishes of the community for his prosperity in whatever he may choose as his line of business, hereafter.
With the present number, therefore, the responsible duties of editing devolve upon one who assumes the labors incident thereto for the first time. The magnitude of the undertaking is felt to be one of no ordinary importance; and were it not for the assurance of the cooperation, assistance and forbearance of our many tried friends, the probabilities are that we should have yielded to the promptings of diffidence and inexperience, and permitted our bashfulness to have overcome our ambition. However, we did not yield. Consequently the prosperity of the institution, and the reputation of the County paper is ours to maintain, and increase if possible.
Entertaining as we do, a decided aversion to promises as to what shall be done in the future we make none — other than this — that it will be our aim to do the best we can; and as the harness becomes fitted so as to rest easily, and inexperience vanishes with age, why judge for yourselves whether we merit support or not.
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