The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1880-04-17
THE NEW DOMINION.

year OF the NEW DOMINION, ana well
and wildly do we remember that 11th
day of April, 1875, when we penned
our salutatory address, closing with
the following sentence: with these
heartfelt assurances, and the many
others now struggling for utterance,
we timidly launch our little craft
upon the bosom of the troubled wa
tiers, trusting in God, and a liberal
public for a reward commensurate
with our efforts" for we felt that we
were young and inexperienced, while
Democratic Journalism in old Mon
ongalia seemed to be under a cloud
but we also felt the great need of
a Democratic paper here, and some
take the work; and with trembling
and anxious heart we dared to at
tempt it-feeling determined that
what we lacked in age, experience or
ability, should be made up in fidelity
to principles, and the best interests
of the people of the county and
State.
We then said that in politics the
New DOMINION should be soundly
Democratic. How well we have tried
to keep this promise, our readers
must judge-and after four years of
trial, we would not change word or
sentence of that address. And now,
at the dawn of our fifth year, with a
grateful heart, we return our thanks,
first to God, and next to a liberal
public, for the success that has so
far attended our hazardous and pa
triotic undertaking.
The fatality that seemed to hang
upon Democratic journalism in this
county, has been quite removed, and
the cloud dispelled, giving place to a
bright, a glorious and serene sky, full
of promise and Encouragement. We
feel that the ordeal is passed, and
safely passed, and that henceforward
the New DOMINION, with that liberal
aid and support it has hitherto had,
and which we will try and make it
deserve, must and shall be a factor
for good in old Monongalia, and the
State at large. And while the Dem
ocracy hnve hitherto, everything
considered, done well in the way of
patronizing US, for which we are
deeply and truly thankful, still may
we not ask them to do better, we
promising them that the New Do
MINIoN shall grow better, brighter
and stronger as its support increases.
And let US ask in deep and warning
earnestness: When was there great
er need for information among the
masses than now? When were greater
interests, greater trials, or greater
dangers to our institutions, as a
people, or as nation, than now? 1t
is true there is no open enemy in the
tented field against us, no guns or
swords pointed at the lives of onr
people; if that were all, the rising
generation might repair the breach.
Nor yet the open or manly unfurling
of an Imperial Banner to measure
arms, as it were, with the emblem of
the thirty eight co-equal States of
this Union, that the people might see
under which flag they would enlist.
But what is more dangerous to our
liberties and institutions, Imperialism
is now recruiting her forces under the
Banner of the Union of our fathers,
so insidious and hidden as to deceive
the very elect, as it were; and while
the counterfeit is both base and dan
gerous, yet it is often SO well executed
as to be difficult to detect.
The New DOMINION hereafter, as
heretofore, shall be open to all for
the discussion of all matters of pub
lie interest, we not holding ourselves
responsible for the views or senti-
ments of correspondents, further
than to see that they shall not con
descend to mere personal defamation
or abuse.
As to ourselves, we shall ever
strive to observe the strictest deco
rum and charity towards our breth-
rem Of the press. We shall not seek
controversy with any,nor shrink from
it, if it becomes necessary, in de
Tense of the principles of the grand
old Democratic party-to this end
and purpose, as we said at first, our
knife shall be kept sharp, but not
poisoned.
We shall regard lick struck at
our party, as lick at US, and de-
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