Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-03-10

Sfannfpr Spertatnr.I
For more than three-score years the STAUN-
TON SPECTATOR has been to an extensive pub
lie az familiar as a "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 1t is the Oldest in
the State, and in casting a view over all the
country from Maryland to Tenne ssee, west Of
the Blue Ridge mountains, 1t 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, it has steadily moved
evenly along the pathway Of true Journal
lem, a representative organ OF a noble race
and the pion Of correct and sound princi-
pies. Before the formation of the great po-
ltical parties of which Henry Clay and An
irew Jackson were the opponents. it was an
active and jealous champion Of the people and
the peoples rights Receiving inspiration d.
r.ctly from the founders of our government. it
has maintained the true theories and the high
~,rnoso, xrhtoh oyto hItsbad cfyiI liharty q ~ a
liberal rule on the American Continent. 1t
has witnessed the rise and fall of great PAL ties
it as 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
government, and the advocacy of substantial
and liberal progress, guides its aims and con,
socrates It's motives
The mission of a newspaper is one of great
responsibility. 1t exerts an almost supreme
control in the family in social lite. and in bus
mess afiairs. for go ID or evil.
The cultivation OF proper literary taste, the
| uf.ctur S, and the ad~ec.cy of measures OF
true progress, are the ch .ef 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 thi,
basis, the chief as well as The minor pursuits
and objects of mans existence are founded.
Pla forms are. in these times. considered tn.
! proper moue N which to present claims fol
public recognition and support. The sPEcTA-
pies and purposes. Under the benign infiu
ences OF a new national administration, which
recognizes the equality of all sections Of THU
great country, and. adhering to its enunci
ated purposes. the SPECTATOR will maintain
Its place in the public arena, with high hope
of present and future usefulness. which shall
be worthy of It's past history.
1
| In the details of journalism are many inter
esting features. 1t is a question in this day
which engrosses the minds of editors most. thu
chart under which they work. or the attractive
and entertaining subjects which can be gath
cred by effort and industry in the daily round
Inf foil n
books and standard publications. thorough
market reports, are some of the details, bu
not the least, in making up a readable and
lively paper Then the local department l.
not first in Importance, is the first read. and
still continues to claim that constant and dis
eliminating at, ention SO essential to the inf1u
ence W hich it exercises on ali minds, especial
ly the young. The fact of the prominence Civ
en- it, max es it of first importance. and In pro
rank.
The SPECTATOR will labor to merit increased
patronage in its subscriptions, and In its ad
vertising and job-printing departments.
feels that there is no more to do than to invit'
| a cordial cooperation Of old and new friend
to its aid. Now is q most desirable time Il
| commence with its regular weekly visits, ant
to realize how efficiently and faithfully 1t cal
serve the purposes of entertainment and In
struction.