The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-01-08
A Duty to the Public.

the editor of newspaper who seeks to
state the truth, and discuss public ques-
tions and conditions fairlya honestly, to-
find favor with those who merely regard
party relations as they may affect perso-
nal aims and selfish ambitions. There is
such thing, however, as public duty, and
the journal that does not take this as its
guide will not be very likely to reach any
very high standard or exert any pro-
nounced infuencein forming public opinion
consider it right to condemn everything
which emanates from the opposing party
and to denounce every one who may hap
pen to be identified with the political or
ganization that it does not support. In
other words, the simple fact of recogniZ-
ing different nominalism. is assumed as
sufficient grounds to question motives and
arraign intentions. There are fair-minded
men in both parties who are not governed
by such a low and vulgar rule of action
They are candid enough to listen to legit-
innate argument and weigh the reasons
which may be presented tor conclusions
with every position advanced or not, they
are ready to ascribe integrity of purpose
and an honest sense of duty to those with
whom they may differ.
The VIRGINIAN is Republican journal
and believes in the principles and policies
of that party, as they affect administra-
ton. In maintaining this distinct party
relation, it does not feel called upon to de-
nounce and villify its political opponents
and to assail every proposition that comes
from the Democratic party or prominent
members of it. merely because of antago-
nizing party identity The great mass of
the people are instinctively honest, wheth-
er of one party OF the other. They are
deluded into error, sometimes, by the de-
signing leaders. from the fact that they
may not have the opportunity or the in
clination to look deep into questions of
public concern, or are lead away by party
sympathy, without that consideration for
the general welfare that should govern
every man who casts a ballot. And the
fault we have to urge in our State and
Southern politics is that the masses do
not do theirown thinking-do not always
vote their own sentiments, but are infu-
enced by prejudices and feeling, conve-
niently aroused and infiamed by the clam
OF and appeals of the designing and cor
rupt. BY sach means the calm, fair, hon.
est Judgment Of the people is suppressed
and partizan influence made paramount
where sincere conviction ought to be as
| serted. In this way perverted views OF
everything related to politics and party
men are encouraged, and expression given
to them without thought OF consideration
Every question and interest is thus viewed
through a partizan microscope, and where
an opinion is expressed not in accord with
the rule thus prescribed. it is contorted
into the result of a mercenary motive OF
the growth of selfish purpose.
Recently there came under our notice 6
communication from minister of the
| Gospel and Republican, giving the early
history of the President elect. and about
the same time statement from Repub
lican correspondent, giving his impress
sions of Mr.. Cleveland after a patient in.
| terview with him. The two articles rep
resented Mr.. Cleveland in different light
to that in which he had been presented
during the embittered canvass through
which we had just passed. The one re.
lated facts of personal knowledge. The
other was the impartial Judgment of po
litical opponent. We were impressed
| with the evident fairness and truthfulness
of both. and believing that they would be
acceptable reading to the general public
whether of one party OF the other, we
| transferred them to the columns of the
| VIRGINIAN. We thought, and still think,
the people were entitled to know every
| thing about him who is to be the Chief
Magistrate of the Nation after the 4th of
March next, and that whether they voted
for him OF not. it would be agreeable to
learn that there were features in his un
known history that revealed personal
traits which had been concealed during the
heat of political contest and which
were creditable to his head and heart.
In giving to the public these publica-
lions our object was to convey to our read.
ers information that they had no knowl.
edge of and do simple justice to the Presi.
dent elect, whose election we did all in ou1
power to defeat by legitimate argument
We expected our motive to be miscon-
strued by men of both parties, and In this
we have not been disappointed. But
whether approved or disapproved, we
! believed it was right to transfer the arti-
Giles to our columns, and SO believing nc
| amount of censure Oh misconstruction,
could have influenced us against our judg-
ment. The VIRGINIAN, as we have said
| is Republican journal, believes in the
Republican party. and is satisfied that the
new administration will fall very far short
of success if it does not adopt and enforce
Republican policy in the conduct OF the
government. Certainly it cannot hope to
inspire the confidence of the country if it
ID NY UuC lCCOlu VI olC AICiuO-
cratic party in Congress on all public meas
ures which have contributed to national
prosperity. But, while Republican in mat
tiers affecting administrative policy, it is
not a vehicle of personal abuse and viii
LITIGATION, nor does it recognize the right
of it's editors to prostitute its columns to
the defamation of public servants, SIM
ply because they did not believe in the
wisdom of their selection.
AS journalists we owe something to the
public. We are obligated by our own con-
vlctions of duty to labor for the elevation
of public thought, and not for its bebauch-
ment. We believe it is right to educate
the people to respect the authorities that
be, to support the laws and obey the con-
stitution, whether one OF the other party
shall be in power and have grave response
billties to meet. 1t is evidence of neither
good sense nor of good citizenship, and is
certainly foreign to the mission of true
journalism, to harshly criticise those in
authority without just cause, and indulge
in denunciation simply because of differ
ent party association. The Republicans
of Virginia and the South have had too