Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-12-29
The Spectator.

A retrospect of the past suggests refer
ence to the old newspapers of Virginia, that
have survived the vicissitudes of eventful
times, and were the witnesses, and conse-
quently the most correct agents in recording
history, the characteristics of the people,
their social life and customs, their business
pursuits and habits, and their political at
filiations-in word, presenting the past IN
the light of truth as its scrolls were rolled
up and laid away for the future. Without
noting the old journals which have ceased
to exist, the most conspicuous of which was
the Richmsnd Enquirer, it should be re-
membered that their files wherever pre-
served illustrate the correctness Of what
has been said.
Writing without the aid of reference to
help the memory, the old newspapers OF
the present day which existed when the
old political parties assumed definite shape
as Democratic and Wing, under tie leader
ship respectively Of Jackson and Clay,-for
the rank and file of both parties had been
supporters of the administrations Of Madi
ION and Mooroe,-are the Alexandra
Gazette, the Lynchburg Virginian, the
Charlestown Free Press, the Rockingham
Register, the Staunton Spectator, and the
Richmond Wing, and, we think, they are
called in the order of their respective ages.
With the exception of the Gazette and the
Free Press, which are still owned in the
family name of their founders, the SPEC
TAToR has lived under the fewest changes
of propretership.
Were it appropriate, fuller sketch OF
these old journals which are now on the
public arena, might ell an acceptable
chapter for the reader during the closing
days of another year which has added its
events to the future interest with which
the students of history may consult theil
files but it was ia reference to coming
time and future responsibilities more than
the past we had proposed to address our
selves, and then in the line of work as it
shall daily come to hand.
Upon the history of the SPECTATOR, no
comment at our hands is called for
Guided by the light it sheds upon the past,
we approach the future and renew our ex-
preston of fealty to the right and continued
opposition to wrong in every form. We
will welcome and support all that will
strengthen and render prosperous the com
munity, and on the other hand condemn all
that would be hurtful to its repose and
future welfare. Open to US in the future
as in the past are many new fields for ener-
getic and judicious journalism, holding Out
renewed assurances of accomplishing good
in constant effort and untiring application.
To promote the growth and augment the
prosperity of our agriculture and our COM
merce-to aid in the development of our
resources, and to increase manufactur
ing and every useful industrial pursuit,
will occupy the SPECTATOR in time to come
as in the past. We will ever maintain our
old political creeds and doctrines. We will
not vary to the right nor to the left hand
in applying theories to the administration
of government which should be plain in its
greatness, economical in its abundance, and
practical in all things.
The SPECTATOR now enters upon the
sixty-fourth year OF it's existence. with
9 Messing recelleetions Of t. - The
future is brissssand cheerful with antici.
patton and hopeful assurances. In thus
taking q farewell Of the old year, the new,
which will soon enter, gives its welcom and
its promise that if all proper aims be faith
fully maintained, its rewards will be sure
and ample.