Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-01-04

Gus anu nearly cooperation which may now
be secured in its accomplishment A word
to the wise, we hope, is sufficient
In publishing the following communication
from good Wing friend, we beg not to be cons-
dered suitor for any of the favour which i,
invokes for the local Wing press of the State
We never have, in our whole editorial life, sol-
cited the patronage of solitary individual; and
whatever Of success has attended our humble la.
bors, we have the satisfaction to know, has been
the spontaneous offering Of a generous public
So, too, it must continue to be, as far as we are
concerned. We could not brook the thought of
placing ourselves in any less independent at,i-
tude, nor could consent even % be made TO ap-
pear as letting another do for us, were there
not considerations connect ted with the subject dis
cussed, the general truth and force o. which we
acknowledge, that preclude us from consulting
any feeling of mere personal dclicacy. Not only
so, but justice, and lively sympathy for the con-
dition OF others Of the Press, less hvoured than
we are, forbid that we should suppress them. 1t
is well known fact that there are some able and
efficient Wing papers in Western Virginia that
are not properly acknowledgements which were
called into existence by the zeal engendered i'm
former party conflicts, and in which the editors
have embarked their all-and TO them, as we con-
ccive, apply especially, not merely all the views
OF policy and expediency which are urged by our
correspondent, but the higher obligations of good
faith and justice also. In regard to all such,
therefore, we should rejoice to see them acted
upon. They have been allowed to suffer, as is
too apt to be the case, in the ebb of party inter-
est,-some of them, in fact, TO the extent of tenn
polite, if their usefulness, or even their exist
encc, is worth preserving, that they should he de.
MED all the compensaing recuperaling influ-
ences Of the nood-tide! We humbly think not.
, But our time will not permit to enter farther
into the discussion of the subject, and we there
fore leave il to our correspondent.
I For the Spectator.
Mr.. Edtor,-A subject mentioned at the
Wing meeting at our December Court, which
+, regard as of no small importance. | refer to the
question whether in the approaching canvass for
The Presidency it will be better the whole for
the Wings 10 subscribe for and sustain such ephe-
r neral papers as appeared in the last canvass, or
e 10 strengthen the influence and increase the cir
cualion OF the permanent press of the county,
10 sustain the permanent press, conceive to be
the true policy of the Whgs-and | will ondea-
), voT to state my reasons for this opinion.
- Wig ara these che"p papers encouraged l.
1t is said, il is cheap way of spreading ntorma-
4 ton amongst the people. 1t is not denied that a
{ well-conduced weekly semi-weekly perma-
q nent paper will spread the same information. 1t
, will not be pretended that the Staunon Spectator
did not contain every article OF value published
in "the Yeoman.' But these sh6rived sheets
are cheap and therefore should be sustained. The
iallacy OF this reasoning will strike the mind oil
: every judicious and thinking man who looks,
$ with enlarged comprehension, TO the greatest good
mr. hIS tptry lie ,,,in H..
one that if these papers defeat, or do not answeI
the ends Tor which the press is established, their
cheapness is no argument in their favor. This
will endcavor 10 show. These sheets are profess.
= eddy shori-ived-evanescent butterflies in the pc
o litcal world. They vanish upon the announce
1 ment of The result of the election, like summer
birds, and people stand amazed at their sudden
disappearance. This consider objection tc
them-that they are short-lived. The paper tina
: lives for six months only cannot have wrought a
: permanent change in the opinions and principles
C OF men-a change so permanent that they will
= not afterwards require the informing and encour
aging influence OF the press TO establish them in
p sound principles. The fact that they short
lived begets want of confidence in the minds Of
y the people. People reason thus here is a paper
10 live but six months; its editor / don't know
| and don't love as we would love old and esta
olished editor; he Is not responsible for what he
+ says; If he tells what is not true cannot punish
f him, because he CIes at any the end of sy
4 hioh'nS3 NC 10 wholly HreSpOhSiDie, ana may say
= what he pleases he has character, well known
and beloved, TO sustain or to hazard where is
+ the ground for confidence in such print! 1t
D may be read but in many cases it vii! neither win
+ nor convince.
e Another objection 10 these papers is this, iha,
they leave their readers in lack of knowledge af-
ter they are gone. This is the very design oil
their existence, 10 supply those who are destitute
with knowledge Of political principles and infor-
nation on political subjects at cheap rate.
object to such system of Instruction. system
: that continues only six months in four years.
= me ignorance, preJudices ami deUagugui>m
f of thrty-six months easily obliieraie The
t vague and slight impressions OF six months read
j, ing. The people should ai,oays be instructed in
knowledge and informed in sound principles by
an honest and able press: and not by fits and
STARTS aroused from their ignorance by appeals to
i their passions and prciudces, even by an i'm
pulsive effort 10 enlghten them, and then permit
: ted 10 fall back into inaction and ignorance
# Converts made in this way and left III this pgh
y cannot be relied on-in the hour of another sIug
gle they will either stupidity hold back or foolish
~ and without reason go over TO the enemy.
D Has not the Wing party been already warned
~