The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1872-12-05
THE vITGINEAN.

ut the present editor, to discuss with freedom
f.adindepeudeuce all public question:, has,we
believe, been the secret Of its success. From
tie first issue of the paper, it has been grad
. ua'ly growing in public confidence, aud each
W Eek VIC are called upon to add new subscri-
bcrs to our list. Pursuing the course we
have, ls was expected we would meet with OPP
position but this has not come from the
thoughtful and imp ,rtal We have assumed
the position that tn are is no arbiter betwe en-
falsehood and truth, bit rcasoa--not mere
assertion, ford defamation or harsh epithets
but soli9 reason We haze endcavored to
gve reason for every position We have an-
nounced, and while in this We have been
sometimes antagonized, we have at least had
the satisfaction Of convincing those who d fer
ed with US that We honestly entertained the
views expressed. In fact, We hold 1t as mai
4 tersof conscience, that an editor has no right
to make a statement in his papsr thst he does
not believe to be true, aud is not prepared to
support by sound reason and legic A paper
is useful or baueful to community in the de-
gree that it's conductor is controlled BIZ con-
seriousness of right. We do not recognize it
= "a our privilege to pursue certain line OF
policy or to fall in with style Of argument,
merely because it may be popular,and endeav-
or thus to strike the current of popular synpa-
, thy. 1t is part of our mental constitution
toiqnestioa at the vary outset popular out
bursts of feeling. If they will bear the test
ofimpartial Investigation. and not racoil when
confronted by the stern logic of facts, then
there may be some good in them. But gen.
orally they fail to pass successfully through
this crucible.
The future with US shall be as the past has
been. To carry out our firm convictions Of
duty as the conductor of a public journal, i'm
plies that ne shall be controlled By no party
81 machinery. We will not support party
measure, unless we believe there is in it a
public good, nor a candidate for Office unless
p weare convinced that he is qualified for the
position to which he aspires. In the name of
Party, too much wrong has already been per-
q. pesrated upon the State and Country. 1t is
time the people we're taking hold public az
fairs, and managing them indepen dent of the
= politicians thinsng and acting for them
selves
TIE industrial interests Of the State must
be fostered, encouraged and protected. This
can only b. 4 me BY the misses themselves
who are the parties Immediately interested
To this object we shall devote our energies,
as one of the prime considerations that is to
redeem Virginia and place her oa the high
way to prosperity.
a party, t, receive our support, must have
this as one of its fundamental features. We
ore not by what name it may be called, its
aim must be the encouragement OF labor, the
o all other agencies looking to the material
development Of the State and Country.
.Anutl e cardin.l idea mast REQ five reeog-
nition That is the cultivation of bro ad
nationality sincere purpose to adhere to
the laws and support the government. We
are disguised with acknowledgements alb
stract theories which are the germs Of alien
atoms and strifes The country wants prac IT,
cal patriotism AMI not dreamy mysticisms-
substantial recognition Of legitimate legIsla-
ton, and not insidious, if not vicious, eva
sions.
We propose to be governed by considera-
lions in harmony with these ideas in the flu
ture. We mean to be frank independent
and fearless in their discussion We shall
strive to arrive at the truth, and instil it into
the popular mind, regardless of party conven-
tionalities, dictation or prescription. We defy
che whole phalanx of political mountebanks
and tricksters, and confidently predict their
utter discontinue and overthrow, when the
voice of the people passes sentence upon
them.
We ask those Of the people of the Valley
and the State who agree with us,.in these gen
eral views. to assist 10 extending the circua-
ton of the VIRGINIAN.
We mean that its influence shall be felt, if
there lS any power Ia an honest ana careful
presentation of the truth.
We have had to encounter within the past
six months the most malicious and cowardy
ins;nuatlons, whispered with bated breath by
parties who dare not face the truth or meet
US in open and manly disputation. These
sneaking, false and unserupulous intimations,
designed to injure us and our business viii
recoil upon their contemplate and corrupt
authors. When the proper cine comes we
will locate and expose them, aud let the par
ties know that their malicious purposes have
failed of their OBJECT. We mean to stand by
the positions we have taken and we expect to
be cordially supported BY the people. We
have no conceaments to make or eyaslons to
practice. We would not yield up our honest
convictions for all the patronage the whole
State could give. We have been controlled
by deep sense of right. We have had the