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We've said before how our most frequent and ardent letter writers are almost like family members to us here in the editorial department. That's why we were especially saddened to here about the passing of one such person: Mr. Elton T. Booth of North Augusta.

Mr. Booth, who died Sunday at age 62, left few thoughts unexpressed when it came to his concerns about strict constitutional interpretation, and the signs he saw of an encroaching single North American government.

In Mr. Booth we saw a military veteran who cared deeply about his country, and who frequently appeared as a lone voice in the wilderness about the federal government's drift away from the Constitution's true meaning.

As a true patriot and someone who regularly helped breathe life into our editorial page, Mr. Booth will be missed.