The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1892-12-22
VIGILANCE rs THE PRICE OF
LIBERTY.
Read and Seriously Consider.

EGcc6o e1lo seriously COuSlQ6T.
When the present Proprietors assum-
ed the responsibility of publishing the
VALLEY VIRGINIAN, they endeavored to
outline the course it would pursue,
touching all public questions. The
plainest terms were employed to make
our purpose clear to the most careless
reader. Among other things, we declar
ed that no ther motive than to foster the
public good, would move IFS to criticism;
that we had neither friends to reward
nor enemies to punish" This simply
means that we are free and untramelled
when it comes to dealing with questions
in which the public have vital interest.
The contents of the last issue of the
VIRGINIAN has occasioned general com
ment, many approving, others dissent
ing. We find fault with neither class,
but acknow Wedge their right to reach
vanced by us. This, however, is the
least important consideration. The VIR-
GINIAN has a mission to fulfill. A news
paper, controlled by reputable men,
fedrleSsly and hoaordbly conducted, is
as necessary to the well being and
growth of community, as a Physician
is to the sick, or a consecrated Minister
to expound the Word of Truth. Those
power far-reaching in it's effect. There's
fore, whatever appears, editorially, in
the columns of the VIRGINIAN, will be
dictated by sincere desire to do right,
for we SHALL as far as possible, put away
all malice, and seek, to the extent. of our
ability, to subserve the public welfare
1t is for the people of this community to
decide whether there is a need for inde>
pendent Journalism, and if SO, where it
is most likely to be found Do not com
NIT the inexcusabie error of placing up
on the Editors of a newspaper the re-
sponsibility of views and sentiments ut
tered by correspondents. Controlling
the means to reach the public, we could
not consistently exclude such contribu-
tions, when couched in admissible Ian
guage, but we want it distinctly under
stood that we are in no wise responsible
for such productions, except when they
receive our Editorial endorsement. The
VIRGINIAN is, or desires to be, the ready
defender of the right, the undaunted ex>
poser of wrong doing, no matter where
the responsibility may rest. With this
purpose in view, ever ready to open our
columns to those who desire to be heard
we ask the support and countenance of
all who believe in honesty. courage and
fidelity in a paper that processes to speak
for and defend the people. Those of
you WHO lOFo lIUoTby, auO uOlO Ill COLI
tempt creatures who are all thiaaqs to all
men, come up to the help of the VIR-
GINIAN. If you cannot always approve
it's course, be manly enough to say that
it has the courage of it's convictions, and
is worthy of your confidence. 1t was the
first paper to bring to notice the won-
derful mineral resources of this section,
and it's adaptability for manufacturing
purposes. 1t has dwelt at length upon
the attractiveness of Clifton Forge and
spoken in highest terms OF her citizen
ship. In this respect the VIRGINIAN in
future will not be found wanting, if
given proper encouragement. If you
haye not already done SO, enroll your
name as subscriber, and thus show
your appreciation of a paper that.has an
opinion and is not afraid to make it
known,