The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1891-08-20


I'd under circumstances and conditions
far less excusabie than those which now
surround, and which invoke these de-
and these railers are, in
many instances, men who have made all
they have in Stanton, and others who
are making profits out of their operations
and others who are embari<ing in enter
prises for the purpose OF making profit
and all during the existence of license.
The stranger, were he to believe what he
hears, would put down Staunton as a
veritable Sodom, where it would be
moral death to live and where moral
mildew and destruction viii certainly
come if these modern moral evangelists
do not have their way. Yet Staunton
is noted the country over for its refine
ment; it's solid financial condition; the
enterprise of its business men; the lber-
atty and public spirit of its people; its
and culture-the seat of two
important State institutions-th home
of four or five of the largest and most
patronized female schools in
the South; of large and successful
military academy; has a beautiful and
attractive building for the Young Mems
Christian Association, built by means
literally contributed by some of the
men that are anathmetized; is noted for
it's churches and its many excellent adj
vantages and requirements which have
been accommodating at a more rapid rate
than in any inland city in the Union,
Notwithstanding the license system
Indeed the progress and improvement
of Staunton is subject of remark by
almost every stranger who comes within
come in contact with very few drunk
ards; but are met on every hand by
social courtesy refinement and attraction
which captivate and win their esteem
the cesspool of iniqnity that these mod
ern reformers would make it. 1t is a
busy, busting, prosperous business
town, with more tact, push and sagacity
u y
the State Its banking institutions
show that it is one of the most wealthy
and prosperous cities of its size in the
country, and that there is as much bust
ness transacted; as much order and de
cency observed; as much morality and
religion practiced, and AS much refine
ment and taste, as can be found in the
same population in any part of the
Union. Yet it is this town, with all its
enterprise and public spirit aud pros
perity, that is villitied and slandered and
its municipal administration denounced
as a disgrace. by those who owe all they
have to it's citizens, and others who have
come there to share in the progress and
prosperity of the place. Not until these
new lights Of modern dispensation-
these new prophets of the gospel of re-
form with big r, and hate and strife
and turmoil suddenly burst upon the
people, was it known that not even Go
morrah rpassed it in iniquity, or Sodom
parallelled it in wickedness.
The beautiful little city with its lovely
landscapes; central in the historic valley
and hemmed in by the eternal noun
tains and their caps of perpetual blue;
famed by breezes, which carry health
and vigor on their wings; graced by all
that is chaste and virtuous in woman
ennobled by men of enterprise, culture
and ability, the repository OF wealth,
liberality, generosity and hospitality;
the cradle of manly impulse and char
liable endeavor, and the home of every
attainment and attraction of modern
civilization, does not deserve to be
stabbed in the house of her friends and
stung by those she has warmed into life
on her bosom.
Our ancient and Anticipated friend OF
the Staunton Spectator, has gotten con-
siderably mixed about the political and
municipal affairs of his own town. He
alleges that the VIRGINIAN was for Pro
hibition taoo years ago, and now opposes
it. That if Prohibition was right then,
it ought to be right now. We have no
knowledge of contest of that kind two
years ago. Four years ago this spring,
we were in favor of refusing license for
the sale of liquor, because the license
law was grossly violated and debauch-
cry and crime were encouraged by reason
of such disregard of the license law. The
effect of that contest was to reform the
abuse of the law to such degree that no
one can justly claim that the law is not
as closely observed in Stanton as it is
in any place in the State or Union, and
that there is as great a degree of order
and sobriety prevalent in Stanton. as
in any other town in the country, wheth
er license or prohibition prevails. The
difference between the VIRGINIAN and
the Spectator is. that when there were
abuses to reform. the VIRGINIAN was
for reform and the Spectator for the
abuse. Now, when through the efforts
of the VTRGINIAN, the law is obeyed and
order preserY I'd, the Spectator is against
license and lie VIRGINIAN for it, be-
ca Use experience and common sense
CcdCu that lOCdi OptlOu SNiihOo Nc ch
forced, and if tried will result in the CON
dition. of things that prevailed when the
VIRaINIAN made the fight against exces
ses and the Spectator supported them.
We would suggest to our venerable CO.
temporary that he examine the beam in
his own eye, before he gets on his ear
about the mote in his neighbours eye.
Postoffice Inspector Merrick was in
Stanton on Friday last. in consultation
with U. S. Attorney Craig, in reference
to the prosecution of the postof1ice rob
bers and burglars generally at Berry
vile, Quicksburg, Shendun, Waynes-
boro, Basic City and Farmville.
1t will be remembered that three men
were arrested in Richmond about two
weeks ago, as suspicious characters, by
police authorities, of that city, and on
being searched, certain receipts for eA-
press packages were found on their per-
sons, which led to the arrest Of two of
their accomplces in Philadelphia. In
that city. there were found in the pos
session of these accomplices, full sets Of