The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1891-09-10
Line of Duty.

~
1t may be that the attitude of the
VALLEY YIRGINIAN under it's present
auspices is not understood by some of
it's readers, in relation to important pub
lie questions affecting the most vital in
terests OF the people and the country.
While it will not be partizan in dis
cussing the issues now claiming public
attention. it will not be neutral Ac-
cording to the conception OF It's editor,
it would be in contravention of the mis-
sion of newspaper to be silent or in
different when questions of such far
reaching influences as are now up for
lights before US. Never in the history of
this country have issues SO pregnant
with the welfare of the country been so
boldly and aggressively projected, calls
ing for dispassionate discussion and pub
lie criticism Never has there been SO
many fallacious and dangerous notions
grouped in one period. asking for the
judgment and verdict OF the people We
have the fallacv of free coinage of silver:
free trade; the sub-treasury SYSTEM
formulated by the Alliance and promul-
gated as one of. its cardinal doctrines;
the government as brokers' office to
loan irredeemable greenbacks on farm
mortgages, at 2 per cent; the issuing
of currency to the amount of $50 pei
capita, regardless of the needs of trade
and created values to call for its use; the
proposition for the government TO take
charge of all the railroads and telegraph
lines, and in short to strike down every
conservative safeguard now incorporated
into our monetary and civil system.
These various notions mean the destruc-
ton of the basis of the country's bust
ness, growth and prosperity; the de
rangement of every Interest of the PEG
pie and an invitation to virtual anarchy
in all the relations and qualifications OF
trade When such revolutionary prop
ositions are placed before the country by
newspapers and public speakers, anc
aggressively maintained by t.eGagogues
and place hunters, blind to the pub
it would be the baldest qualification die
we not endeavor to expose the ruinOul
tendencies of such ideas and seek tx
avert their acceptance by the people
We only wish the NIRGINIAN could
reach every voter in the State. that We
might reason with them and bring then
face to face with the certain ruin sucf
crude and impracticabie notions vii
surely invoke should they be enacted in
10 law. So long as the public mind il
l,sseiged by such propositions AS we have
mentioned, the VIRGINIAN will confron
mem and do its best to expose their evi
fleets and the disaster which the,
threaten. We would be untrue to our
journalism did we not do SO. let it offend
.yhom and what party it may. There
are higher interests to subserve than tht
SireconceiYed notions of partizans %
factions, and 1t is the duty of a news
paper TO reach to that more elevated
:. ane and lead the people mp to it,
To those who may have formed a DIFF
serent view of the lines upon which thi
paper has been and will be conducted Sc
song as its columns are under the con
troll OF it's present editor, it may be prop
s.r that this statement shonld be made
20 the calm, conservative, thoughtful
"a sder. however, we are sure we neet
.,ot address a line iii explanation or ex
t"nnation. He compartments the situa
ton and will recognize in the ideas WI
have presente and the policies suggest
eli, the wise, safe course, and that onl,
WHICH will conserve public interests ant
promote the welfare of all classes of cit
izen. II a time server or trimmer, or on
who will pander to popular deluson ant
temporize with false and dangerous the
Dries, is wanted, it will not serve thu
purpose to look in the direction OF th'
VIRGINIAN. 1t will be neither, but vii
strike at false doctrines and false poll
cies, whenever and wherever they arr
brought to the front. and the only re
greet we will have will be that the blows
are not strong enough to crush then
forever