Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-03-03

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For more than three-score years the STAUN-
TON SPECTATOR has been to an extensive pub
lie as familiar as "household word" The
history Of the central section of the great VAL
ley of Virginia is its history. With the excep-
ton of two other journals it is the oldest in
the State. and in casting view over all the
country from Maryland to Tenne ssee, west of
the Blue Ridge mountains. it is entitled to
wear the honors of age in association with its
esteemed contemporaries. What eventful
years and times it has chronicled! Coming
into life during the quiet and pure administra.
tration of Monroe, 1t has steadily moved
evenly along the pathway of true journal
ism, a representative organ of a noble race
and the champion of correct and sound princi-
Piles. Before the formation of the great po-
litical parties of which Henry Clay and An
irew Jackson were the opponents. it was an
the peoples rights Receiving inspiration d.
re city 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 par ties
it Las 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 it's aims and con
ecrates It's motives
The mission of "a newspaper is one OF great
control in the family. in social lie. and in bus
mess fairs for good or evil.
The cultivation of proper literary taste, the
promotion of agriculture, com merce, and man
ufactur- +, and the advocacy of measures OF
true progress are the chief cares in the labors
of those who conduct the columns OF the SPEC
rAToR. Education first and foremost is the
groundwork of all advancement, and upon this
basis, the chief as well as the minor pursuits
<,f,ie ;cfa Tod
Platforms are. in these times. considered the
proper moGe which to present claims for
public ecogniiion and support. The SPECTA-
TOR retains its old and time honored princi-
Piles and purposes. Under the benign influ-
ences OF new national administration, which
recognizes the equality of all sections of this
great country, and, adhering to It's enunci-
ated purposes, the SPECTATOR will maintain
its place in the public arena, with high hopes
be worthy of its past history.
In the details of journalism are many inter-
estipg features. 1t is q question in this day
which engrosses 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. Correspopderc e. news, reviews of
books and standard publications, thorough
market reports, are some of the details, but
lively paper. Then the local department. If
not first in importance: is the first read, and
still continues to claim II at constant and dis
eliminating attention so essential to the infiu-
ence which it exercises on all minds, especial
ly the young. The fact of the promin ence Civ.
en- it, max es it of first importance, and in pro
gressive Journalism it las already take that
rank.
The SPECTATOR Will labor to merit increased
patronage in its subscriptions, and in its adj
vertisipg and job-printing departments. 1t
feels that there is no more to do than to invite
a cordial cooperation of old and new friends
confidence with its regular weekly visits. and
to realize how efficiently and faithfully it can
serve the purposes of entertainment and in
struction.
Our Industrial Interests.