The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-09-15
OUR CIRCULATION.

We are constantly receiving letters from
gentlemen, to whom copies of our paper
have been sent, or who have seen copies in
the hands of others, couched in that Ian
gage of sympathy and appreciation, ever
grateful to jaded editorial eyes, and Jared
editorial feelings but alas the pleasant
epistles too often contain nott,ng but COM
pliment. A story is told of Stephen Girard,
that an Industrious truckman had the mis-
fortune to lose his horse, by its being acci-
dentally backed off the wharf into the river.
He was an Industrious man-as an editor
must be-and he was a man of good re-
pute-and what editor is not? so there
was much compliment and sympathy ex-
pressed. To one bystander, who was es-
pecially loud in his profession of sympathy,
Girard made his way, and said to him: 81
sympathizc ten dollars with this poor fell.
low how much do you?"
Now this is the sort of practical sympa-
thy we need, in addition to pleasant ex-
pressions.
If one question is more thoroughly I'M
derstood by all thinking men, than any
other, it is-that as the masses are rulers,
they should be made enlightened rulers !;
as they have to pass upon questions of
National and State policy, they should be
made familiar with the merits of these
questions as members of a great polti-
cal party organization, they should know
what their party has done, is doing, and
proposes to do; as members of civilized
society, they should be made acquainted
with each other, and be enabled to compare
what others are doing, and how they are
doing it, with their own acts and modes OF
action. ~ s @ fsH nsa
No agency devised by man, is so power
full, or so well adapted to enlighten, guide
and instruct, as the public press and no
where in the civilized world is there wider
field of usefulness in this direction, or more
urgent need of such services than in our
State of Virginia; nor has any time been
more opportune or important for such
teachings, than the present. We offer no
apology, because we simply perform sol
emn duty, when we urge upon our friends
to take up this great work with us, and en-
able us to crafty the wish of one of our
pleasant correspondents-''put a copy of
our paper in the hands of every Republic
can i'll the State" aasaa at-a
But we desire to do more, and in this d.
rection we are making sure but slow pro-
gress and that is, to publish paper which
will not only reach every Republican, but
many who are not Republicans. We desire
the people should know Republicanism, not
as the libelous caricature presented too fire.
quently by our political opponents of the
press, but as 1t ia living, active, prosper
ing principle; founded upon eternal justice
and guaranteeing protection to all men.
When we look over the grand union of
States, and see the activity of our indus
tries, the rapid increase Of our National re-
sources, the contented prosperity of our
people, the amelioration in the condition of
our busy artizans and laborers, and are IT.,
led to recognition of the fact, that
all this happiness was conserved, all these
industries fostered, all these ameliorations
in the lot Of our toilers brought about, un-
der Republican auspices /; we are proud to
be the public advocate Of the principles of
that party; and excited to be most jealous,
lest such magnificent results should be
by supine neglect to defend the
principles which inspired, and the means
which produced them.
Looking (and justly upon the modern
Democracy as the old disturber and de-
stroyer, (under the several new aliases it
has found it convenient to adopt the
STATE JOURNAL will never hesitate to
expose its Vaccinations, and its fell pur-
poses. In this, we do not las is the fashion
with so many of our contemporaries at
tack or malign the individual, but warn
and war against the party. We feel, nay
we are convinced, that the advent of De-
to power at this critical iuncturc,
would be the exodus of peace and pros
perity. Such reactionary agitation and
as are practiced and promised