Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-02-11

1923 1885
Stannfpr Sperfafnr.
For more than three-score years the SrAUN-
TON SPECTATOR has been to an extensive pub.
lie as familiar IS household word" The
history of the central section of the great VAL
ley of Virginia is It's history. With the excep-
ton of two othsr journals in the State it takes
its rank in years OF existence. and in casting a
view over all the country from maryland to
Tennessee, west OF the Blue Ridge mountains,
citation with us esteemed contemporaries
What eventful years and times it has chroni-
cled Coming into life during the quiet and
pure administration of Monroe, 1t has steadily
moved evenly along the pathway of true jour-
nalism, a representative organ of noble race
and the cham pion of correct and sound princi-
ciples. Before the formation of the great po-
litical parties o. which Henry Clay and An
drew Jackson were the opponents, it was an
the peoples rights Receiving Inspiration d.
rectly from the founders OF our government, it
has maintained the true theories and the high
purposes which established civil liberty and
liberal rule on the American Continent. 1t
has witnessed the rise and fall of great parties
it has passed through the scenes of trouble
which came upon all the country, and now, as
in the day of its birth and first active life, its
| supreme devotion to right, to justice, to good
and liberal progress. guides its aims and con-
socrates it's motives.
The mission of newspaper is one of great
responsibility. It exerts an almost supreme
control in the family in social life, and in bus
mess affairs. for good or evil.
The cultivation Of proper literary taste, the
promotion of az riculture. commerce, and man.
ufactures, and the advocacy of measures of
true progress, are the chief cares in the labors
SPECTATOR. Education first and foremost is
the groundwork OF all advancement, and upon
this basis, the chief we'll as the minor pur-
suits and objects of mans existence are found
ed.
Platforms are, in these times, considered the
proper mode in which to present claims for
public recognition and support. The sPEcTA-
| TOR retains its cd and time honored princi
pies and purposes Under the benign influ-
will recognize the equality Of all sections OF
| this great country and adhering to its enunci-
| ated purposes. III. PEcTAToR will maintai Its
place in the pubic arena, with high hopes OF
| present and future usefulness, which shall be
| worthy of Its pas, try.
In the details OF journalism are many inter-
esting features. 1t is II question in this day
which engrosse, the minds of editors most, the
chart under which they work, or the attractive
| and entertaining subjects which can be gath
cred by effort and industry in the daily round
| Of toll. Correspondence, news, reviews Of
books and standard publications. thorough
market reports are some OF the details, but
not the least. in making up a readable and
lively paper. Then the local department, II
not first in Importance. is the first read, and
still continues to claim that constant and dis.
eliminating attention so essential to the infiu-
ence which it exercises on all minds. especial
4 ly the young. The fact of the prominence CIV
en- 1t. makes it of first Importance. and in pro-
gressive Journalism 1t has already taken that
rank.
| The SPECTATOR will labor TO ne crit enlarged
patronage in its subscriptions, and in its ad.
vertising and Job printing departments. II
| feels that there Is more to do than to invite
a cordial cooperation OF old and new and
young friends to rs aid. Now is a most desi
rable time to nmu,, nee with its regular week
ly visits, and lsaiza how efficiently and
faithfully 1t CT n the purpos. of entertain
ment and insti uctiun.