The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1891-05-14
SaluuatorY.

1t would not be necessary under ordi>
nary circumstances to formally intro
duce the VALLEY NIRGINIAN to a Vir-
ginia audience. For the past quarter
of a century it has been q familiar visi-
tor to thousands of homes and read by
thousands of citizens. 1t has been All ac
tive influence either for good or evil,
how much of each, it is left with the pub
lie to pass judgment. OF one thing we
are sure, the controlling motive that
has governed in its course has been the
promotion of the welfare of this grand,
beloved old Commonwealth. 1t is not
given to mortal always to forecast the flu
ture or determine the effects of the practi-
tical enforcement of ideas and policies, as
they relate to what is to come. lobe infiu
enced by honest intentions. and to labor
honestly and fearlessly in behalf of what
is esteemed to be right, is all that any
one, dealing with public questions and
public interests, can prudently and justly
claim. We trust that Virginia is none
the worse because of the work of the
present and the pregnant future will
bear witness that the lines upon which
we have labored, have led and will lead
to consummations, in which are in
volved great good to the State and the
prosperity and happiness of the people.
Were it simply the past we were called
upon to consider, it would not be appro-
pirate to indulge in reflections on the
occasion of the first issue of the paper at
Clifton Forge. We would allow that to
take care of itself with no explanations
or apologies for any conviction we have
sought to enforce or any policy or idea
we may have essayed to prom ulgate.
The change of location, in this instance
and under the conditions of the change,
imply a modification of the policy
Not that any conviction or opinion
that we have heretofore entertained,
or do now entertain, has been surren>
dered or modified, bnt that the proprie-
ties of the situation and circumstances
surrounding make it proper that the par
tisan relations of the paper should not
be maintained as heretofore. The VIR>
GILMAN will aim to be a representative
of the living present. Its primary object
will be the material development of the
State and especially this part of it.
There is enough in this to command the
best thought and effort of every citizen
of the Commonwealth, and especially
those who are now or may become iden-
titled with this immediate district. Sur
rounded on all sides by sources of wealth,
as yet dead and profitless. ample in their
value, when fully developed and shaped
for the uses of civilization, to sustain an
empire, there is enough to inspire the
pride and the energy and to stimulate
the efforts of every one and spur them
to the fullest limit of resolve to do each
rial upbuilding of the State. Partisan
feeling and prejudice, and even convic-
ton, may well rest in allegiance, in the
presence of this great work, which all
parties claim to be the object of theil
organization, but rarely make para.
GINIAN to SO present the needs and de-
mands of the times, as to bring together
in concentrated form the energies and
the cooperation of all classes of the peo-
pie, whether Democrats, Republicans,
Alliance men or Mugwumps, to labor in
friendly and earnest rivalry for .t..e up
building of this highly favored mountain
city, and the district in which it is so
centrally located. In this important
field there is ample scope and verge for
all to do service and reap reward
If we shall succeed in suggesting a
: new thought, inspiring a fresh effort.
in marking out a safe line, by following
which some good may result, we will not
regard our mission here failure. Cliff
ton Forge is to be the VIRGINIAN's fu>
ture home and whatever will be promo
tive of the interests of the people and
the welfare of the section and State, will
receive an earnest support in these col
umns.