The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-03-29
Tie 18th Volume.

The VALLEY VIRGINIAN, this week, en-
tiers upon the 18th year of its existence and
the seventh, under its present management.
We assumed control of it, when the revenues
of the Office did not pay its expenses, and its
prospects were anything but encouraging as
that there was field here in the Valley for
an Independent paper. which would discuss
all questions with reference to their merits,
and adopt that policy which the earnest
convictions of its editor might mark out.
In following this line of conduct, we have
encountered the preiudices, too frequently
associated with preconceived notions grow
ing out of the influence of education and
habit, which would not have the sanction OF
the judgment apart from prejudice. We
have endeavored to divorce ourselves from all
influences; in fact. that we could not recon
Gle to our sense of duty as journalists, seek
ing to inculcate the truth as we understood
it, and directing the popular mind in those
channels of thought consistent with the
laws which it is our duty to support, and the
best interests Of thesState and the Nation.
In this, we have sometimes been in advance
OF public sentiment, and consequently had to
confront feelings and passions that seeming
~ arrayed us against our own people, among
whom we were born and raised, and with
whom all our interests are Identified. We
have, however, followed with Il firm step
yl,ofx hn1 f1 IL ;.I,& all
ourselves TO be swayed from this line of du
ty by any considerations of s mere personal or
temporZing nature. The remarkable sue
cess that has attended our journalistic efforts
through periods OF great excitement, when
feeling subordinated Judgment and prejudice
usurped the place of reason, attests that,
willie We may not have aG the sympathy, in
our views Of public questions, of ii major
ity of the people, we lave at least had their
respect, and that they have shown that toll
erance which is inseparaby associated with
the instincts and convictions of the more ell
cvated and refined of community.
There is no weekly paper published in
Virginia, and probably not in the South,
that enjoys greater prosperity than the
VALLEY VIRGINIAN. 1t has one OF the
largest calculations in the State, reaching al
most every county, and among the enter
prising and public spirited Of both parties.-
1t is supported and read in adjoining States,
where it has attracted attention because of
ITS independent and fearless advocacy of
national policy and principles, and all thro'
the North and West it numbers its patrons
among the active, live business men, whose
views of public policy and duty harmonic
with those we have from time to time pre-
senUed through its columns.
In entering upon another year of labor and
duty, VIC have no fresh promises to give. or
sentimental assurances to offer We shall
eLdeavor to discharge the obligations of jour-
nalists rs we understand them, and to study
the interest Of the people of the Valley and
the State, as they may present themselves to
Us. We shall toll increasingly, as we have
heretofore done, for what we believe to be
right, ana the true and enduring interests of
Virginia and the South. There il not an i'm
pulse or emotion of Our nature that is not in
harmony with what we believe to be the well
fare Of our native State. We believe the
time il not far distant when the practical
wisdom of our views will be more fully re-
co.niZed. With prejudice and feeling abat-
Ell: the popular iildg ncnt It this time would
be heartily in accord with our own. Preiu-
dice and passion, however. cannot wear for
ever. They must give way SOONER or later,
and when that suspicious period shall arrive,
it will bring with it all the vindication we
aspire to. We shall cheerfully abide the
calm, honest Judgment of the people when
their minds are emancipa ted from the infu-
ence of traditional habit and feeling. and
reason is left free to assert itself and deter
mine.
We would be untrue to ourselves did we
not feel, and take this occasion to express
our grateful Acknowledgements for the liber-
al encouragement extended to us. We
beramong our warmest supporters many who
differ with us politically, but recognize our
right to our opinions, and our duty to follow
our convictions. Wearc not nsensibe to such
manifestations of personal regard and gener-
Gus sentiment. Community is benefited by
it, for liberal minds build up business, and
foster enterprise. Healthy pu5lic opinion
is cultivated by it, for it encourages all alike
to think and act us tC them seems right and
proper. 1t lioeralzes everything, in fact,
and imparts impulse and activity to all the
interests interviewer with the progress and
prosperity Of the people.
We shall study to do our duty in the future
as We have in the past in conducting the |
VIRGINIAN and contribute our share to
drawing attention to the many advantages o.
our beautiful and affiuent Vail y, rs well as |
the entire Commonwealth.
In doing SO: we shall be stimulated in our |
efforts by tue continued prosperity of the |
NIRGINIAN and the kindly wishes of per-
sonai and political friends.
IT,