Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-04-07

1923 1886.
Sfanntnr Spertafar.
For more than three-score years the sTAUN-
TON SPECTATOR has been to an extensive pub
lie as familiar as a "household word" The
history Of the central section of the great VAL
ley of Virginia is its history. With the excep-
tion 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, 1t is entitled to
wear the honors of age.in association with its
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
ism, representative organ of a noble race
and the champion of correct and sound princi-
pies. Before the formation of the great po-
litical parties of which Henry Clay and An
drew 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
purposes which established civil liberty and
liberal rule on the American Continent. 1t
has witnessed the rise and fall of great PAL ties
1T 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
government, and the advocacy of substantial
and liberal progress, guides its aims and con-
socrates its motives
The mission of newspaper is one of great
responsibility. II 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 agriculture, commerce, and man
ufactur.s, and the advocacy of measures of
true progress, are the chief cares in the labors
of those who conduct the columns OF the SPEC
groundwork of all advancement, and upon this
basis, the chief as well as the minor purs uits
and objects of mans existence are founded.
Platforms are. in these times. considered the
proper mode In which to present claims for
public recognition and support. The SPEcrA-
TOR retains its old and time-honored princi-
pies and purposes. Under the benign influ-
ences OF a new national administration, which
recognizes the eq aality of all sections of this
great country, and. adhering to its 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 lis past history.
In the details of journalism are many inter
esting features. 1t is a 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. Correspondence, news, reviews of
books and standard publications. thorough
market reports, 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 That constant and dis
eliminating attention so essential to the inf1u-
ence which it exercises on all minds, especial
Iy the young. The fact of the promin ence CIV
en- 1t, makes it of first Importance. and in pro-
rank.
The SPECTATOR will labor to merit incre: sed
patronage in its subscriptions, and in its ad-
vertising and ob-printing departments. 1t
feels that there is no more to do than to invite
a cordial cooperation of old and new friends
to its aid. Now is a most desirable time to
commence with its regular weekly visits. and
to realize how efficiently and faithfully it can
serve the purposes of entertainment and in
struction.