The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-01-02

Thursday, January 2. 1873.
Several newspapers in this State have re-
GENTLY made allusion to the Vryinian, as an
"organ" ufthe administration. One Of these,
the Petersburg Press, says that we ''clain,ed'
ITO be conservative" during the Presidentisl
contest, but opposed Greeley, and thus indi
Tectly supported Grant, and that "Vir,ue has
its own reward" referring to the designation
fthis paper as an official medium of publish
ing advertisements
We not only "claimed" to be conservative,
but were conservative, and are SO yet in its
truest sense. We do not regard bind ODE
dienco to the dicta Of party, as. an evidence
of conservatism, nor are we willing to admit
that those who supported Mr.. Greeley con-
stitute the conservative element OF Virginia
or the country. The proscriptive spirit which
animated the Greeley party in this State, was
Radicalism intensified. They had no defined
government policy indicated, yet choose to
brand those who would not recognize the het-
erogenous constituents of that organization as
the sum ofall political orthodoxy, as Radicals
But that did not make them SO. We differ
cd with them then, and do SO yet
We recognized that the issues of the late
war, were concentrated in that of State Rights,
as represented by secession on the one side,
and perpetual national government on the
other. 1t was decided. for all practical pur-
poses, that the latter was the form under
which the people desired to live, and that the
Union must be preserved" We all accep-
ted this decision, and obligated ourselves to
uphold and maintain it. We certainly did so
In good faith. Hence, Instead of adherine to
defunct theory and delving into the musty
debris of the past, to revive and vitalize that
which was obsolete, we chose to deal with
practical existing facts-to embrace the
events that had already been accomplished
aud harmonize our action with the true inter-
ests Of Virginia and the country. In this we
were governed BY real, practical, living con-
serOat'sm-a conservative and preservative
principle and NOT by a reckless endorsement
of combination calling itself conservative,
sbut really reactionary, ii not revolutionary in
ats purposes and policy. 1t is not necessary
to elaborate this idea. Its simple presenta-
ton carries with it its own vindication in the
estimation of every rejecting, impartial mind
In the sense that the Nrymiian is the Sc
lected medium through which official adyer.
tisements are to be commu nicated to the pub
lie, it may be regarded as an "orgau" But
in no other relation. The administration re-
.quires no sorgans" as the channels through
which to place before the people prepared ar
:guments and opinions on public questions
These are left to the free discussion of an i'm
partial press. We certainly will never relin-
quish our right to criticize with freedom, a,
the same time fairness, every measure affec-
ting the public welfare, let it come from
whatever source it may. 1t is our purpose to
support the administration of President Grant
in every element of policy that is calculated
80 cultivate broad national spirit, and pro
mote the true, substantial, conservative inter-
ests of the whole people. We believe that
his purposes are patriotic--that his CONTROL.
ang motives are higher than the mere gratid
-sation of partizau prejudice, and that sus-
tanned by the generous confidence of the PEG.
pie, his administration will be just to the en-
tire country.
We understand the spirit OF the alusion Of
the Lexington Gazette, and the .Staunton
Spectator, to the Nryintan as an "organ, u
and feel for the author OF it, and the pitiful
concern that reprinted it, an unutterable con,
tempt. Neither paper ever had the manli.
ness nor the brains to discuss public ques.
tions from an impartial standpoint. They
are the pitiful Organs Of the current, which
they think has its source 10 the heads of one
or two inflated politicians. This one here
was never known to take bold stand in de-
fence of any policy, unless it was satisfied that
1t was popular, and never did discuss prin-
.ciple, involving measures affecting the public
welfare. Whenever any question has been
presented for the determination of the people
at the polls, it has suspended its own opinion;
until it found which way popular sympathy
was inclined, and either turned in with that,
or maintained mastery inactivity" 1t
never had the nerve to encounter popular
clamor.
We might afford to let the pitiful and spit
iful spleen of such papers pass unnoticed.-
A long editorial experience, in which we have
always given expression to our honest convic-
tions, whether popular or not, not unfrequent-
" safeguarding the party organization with
whichswe sympathize, is sufficient defence
for us. Should we have occasion to make
allusion again to this subject, we shall do SO
in very decided terms.
DEATH oE W. S. RoHR.-We regret to
learn that Mr.. W. S. Rohr, Of Harrisonburg,
died in Richmond, on Sunday morning last,
Of consumption. He was clerk to one of the