Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-03-31

gfan'rtpr Spertatnr.
For more than three-score years the srAUN-
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 a view over all the
country from Maryland to Tennessee, 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 1t 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
ism, representative organ of a noble race
and the champion of correct and sound princi-
pies Before the formation of the great DO
litical 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.
rectly from the founders of our government, it
has maintained the true theories and the high
liberal rule on the American Continent. 1t
has witnessed the rise and fall of great pa1 ties
lit las passed through the scenes of trouble
which came upon oil the country, and now, as
in the day of its birth and first active life, it's
supreme devotion to right, to Justice, to good
government, and the advocacy of substantial
and liberal progress, guides its aims and con-
socrates its motives
The mission of a newspaper is one OF great
responsibility. 1t exerts an almost supreme
control in the family, in social lie, and in bus
mess affairs for good or evil.
The cultivation of proper literary taste, the
ufacturts, and the advocacy of measures of
true progress, are the chief cares in the labors
of those who conduct the columns of the SPEC
TAToR. Education first and foremost is the
groundwork of all advancement, and upon this
basis, the chief as well as the minor pursuits
and objects of mans existence are founded.
Platforms are. in these times. considered the
proper mooe tn which to present claims for
public recognition and support. The SPECTA-
pies and purposes. Under the benign influ-
ences OF a 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
of present and future usefulness. which shall
be worthy of its past history.
In the details of journalism are many inter-
esting features. 1t is 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
books and standard publications. thorough
market reports, are some of the details, but
not the least, in making up readable and
lively paper. Then the local department, If
not first in importance, is the first read, and
still continues to claim lat 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 prominence CIV
en- it, makes it of first importance, and in pro-
gressive Journalism it has already taken that
rank.
The SPECTATOR will labor to merit increased
patronage in its subscriptions, and in its ad-
vertising and job-printing departments. 1t
feels that there is no more to do than to invite
cordial cooperation of old and new friends
to its aid. Now is most desirable time to
commence with its regular weekly visits, and
to realize how efficiently and faithfully 1t can
serve the purposes of entertainment and in
struction.