The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-12-28
THE PRESS. AND. POLITICIANS.

vice in the capacity OF sdltof anu pupiis'e'
ia Virginia and other States, of weekly and
daily papers, during which time we attended
and participated in County State and Nation
al Conventions, has impressed us with the
conviction that the professional politician is
an migrate and monstrous bundle OF dupllc-
ity There is not one emotion Of gratitude
in his whole composition. Selfshness and
deception are the ruling elements OF his ma
ture. During the progress of canvass, he
will button-hoe and hood wink all who come
within the range Of his pestiferous presence.
promise everything, and Twill smile and smile.
and be william stil.' We plead guilty to
having been the dupe Of men Of this descrip
ton. Afflicted with sangulne, ardent tenn
permanent we have given our support to po-
litical aspirants, without sufficient reflection
who, when their true character was boilel
down, and their genuine substance ascertain
I'd, have proven to be nothing more than
disgusting e-tity of falsehood and treason to
all the higher constituents of true manhood
The most inexcusable crime Of the press, is
the facility with which it can be cajolcd and
deceived, aud seduced into the support OF
schemng politicians, Jerry Snsaks, who, af-
ter they have accomplished their object, care
no more fer the editors than for SO much dead
carrion. Instead of exercising its influence
and power for the publication of the politics
of County, State AID Country, and compelling
she purely selfish politician to hide his hide
Gus front from public gaze, the press is too
frequently found abetting and encouraging
the prctensions Of this very class of men. 1t
is a crime against society and the best inter-
ests of the country. 1t is prostitution ofthe
great Intellectual and mosal leverage of the
age to the attainment of base ends, and the
scbordination of the rights and welfare of the
people to the corrupt designs Of unpriucipled
and insidous politicians
There is a great responsibility resting upon
the conductors of public journals-a respon-
sibility too lightly regarded by the majority
Of editors. A newspaper conducted with a.
bility and fearlessness has wonderful lpfu-
ence 10 forming and directing popular thought
and opinion. A persistent and studied adhe-
renee to given line of policy will not fail to
make its impress, deep and not unfrequently
overpowering upon the minds of the masses
rbofb or that ro3;oc ba oo.,d,o;yo to ~, ~,
tic good or otherwise There is no power in
this country comparable to that of the press
1t sways and masters the popular mind imper-
ceptibly. 1t blazes the way for REFORMS and
changes, and the elevation to places of trust
and profit of those who ought to oe the SER
wants Of the people, but who, too frequently,
regard themselves as their masters There
is no Office within the gift Of the popular
voice, that the press cannot control, by uni
ted and determined effort And we believe
it is duty editors owe to themselves, to their
high calling and to community, to consult to-
gether, with view to the adoption of firm
policy, and to combine their labors for the du-
ty Of lashing out of public position the mere
professional politician, who seeks Office pure
iy for the per diem and perauisitcs attached
without thought for the public veal
We are in earnest in this matter, and we
mean, hereafter, to show our faith BY our
works. We do not intead to obey the behests
of party tyranny or lend ourself to the advo-
caey Of any mans pretensiops to public Office
who does net rise above the plane of a politi.
cal broker OF professional mountebank If
errors we may have committed in the past.
are TO be charged up against us. we expect to
atone for them by fearless and manly criti-
cism and deuunciation of all unworthy aspi-
rants in the future, let the consequences to
US personally be what they may. We have
lever yet seen the man or set of men, who
could drive US from sense of public duty, or
any position We may have taken. We confess
to having been decei0ed and grossly deceived.
And while the duplcity created within us
loathipg and cou 'empt Tor the pcrpetrator, it
ohoi pCuCu Jul WCh poho VI NAo0ot'n, ouu uC-
termination to correct the errors into which.
under the impulse of feeling, we fell.
We believe the press of the Valley could
control every elective Office, both State and
Federal, in it, if they would but consult to-
gether and unite on a line of policy and that
policy the publication of the public service
Let there be an understanding among the ho-
nest independent portion of the editors. We
want aothing to do with lick-spittles, bottle
holders and timc-servers, who have 20 opin-
ions Of their own. and only sneeze when their
their masters ia Ike snuff Such can be dri1-
en- into the obscurity their slavish spirits de.
serve. But such of the fraternity as have a
true idea Of their duty, and are not afraid to
assert aud maintain their honest convictions,
we desire to consult and coalesce with
We can command the confidence of the peo-
pie and give direction to public sentiment
that will be healthy and judcious.
Above all, let the press Of Virginia assert
its independence of and superiority to the
foceiou1j 7,o7.tic1ou md out looco f.o,, a.