The seventeenth volume of the Gazette closed with its last issue, and to-day it enters upon a new year with a new editor and proprietor. The undersigned, after seventeen years of constant labor, as editor of the paper, retires, and Mr. James M. Cooms, Jr., a graduate of the office, assumes the entire control of the establishment. I know Mr. Cooms to be a man of good education, an excellent printer, and an energetic, discreet, and honorable citizen, - one, to whom I commit the future of the Gazette, with a full assurance that its fair name and fame will never be tarnished nor its usefulness abridges. I can cheerfully, therefore, and heartily, commend Mr. C. to the confidence, the support, and the best wishes of the entire people of the Vineyard. They should, they will remember, that the press is their vital organ, and as it is healthy or diseased, so must the community become. Encourage it, and it shall be your support, your protector, and your local life; discourage it, and you destroy your best friend, or it shall turn upon you, and seizing you in its might embrace, shall crush you as a worthless thing.

 

In retiring from a position which I have held so long, I desire to return my warmest thanks to many kind friends, at home and abroad, who have rendered me valuable aid, both editorially and as correspondents. I shall never forget them, nor a thousand other friends, whose hearts have so often beat responsive to my own, and whose words of comfort and good cheer have ever sustained me in the joys and sorrows incident to this earthly pilgrimage. And now, I have only to say, Farewell.

 

- Edgar Marchant.

 

 

The subscribers of the Gazette will learn through the foregoing remarks of the retirement of Mr. Marchant from the position of editor which he originally created for himself, and has for seventeen years most faithfully held. In retiring he resigns all control and good will of the paper with all facilities in his power to which has insured its past success. Having assumed the position which he vacates we ask but the generous, hearty support which has heretofore been extended to him, and on our part we will endeavor to justly perform all duties devolving upon us. It is with all knowledge of the responsibility that we place ourselves before the public, and we do not ask to ride along upon its tender mercies but invite its criticism for only by a knowledge of our faults can we rectify them. We promise nothing but will let the paper from week to week testify of itself, but you will remember it is your paper and will be as you make it. We shall see what we shall see.