The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1892-05-26
OUR PURPOSE.

OUR PURPOSE.
We do not believe in making many I'M
conditional promises in the beginning of
any new enterprise, nor do we propose
in this instance to make them. Very
natur lily, though, the friends and pat
rons of the VALLEY VIRGINIAN expect
us, in assuming editorial management of
the paper. to give them at least par
tial outline of the policy we shall aim to
pursue in the conduct of it's affairs. To
this there can be no objection, and we
are perfectly free to define, as fully as
can now be done, our conception of the
primary duties of the editorial depart
ment of the paper.
We recognize the fact that it has never
been the purpose of the VALLEY VIR-
GINIAN, since its removal to Clifton
Forge, to serve as the reflector of the
views of any individual, when those
views came in conflict with the interests
of the public, nor to be the mouth
piece of any particular faction as op-
posed to the well-being of the people
generally. In political affairs we shall
end aavor to carry out in good faith the
understanding upon which the company
owning the paper was organized and
upon which it's stock was subscribed and
need not be silent, it should be neutral
and independent We shall, therefore,
deal with politics only SO far as it is a
matter of news, but shall at the same
time reserve the right to commend the
good, from whatever source it may come,
and to rebuke wrong doing, whatever
may be the political affiliations of the
perpetrator.
Public men are public property, and
we deem it our right and duty to criti-
else their official conduct when by it the
interests of our people are materially
affected, or when the gravity of the sit
uati ion demands our attention.
First of all, our aim shall be to pro-
mote in every legitimate way We can the
moral and material interests of our
young city and of our sister towns and
surrounding country. 1t shall never be
our policy to build up our own section
by running down others; on the con
trary, we shall rejoice in the prosperity
of any locality, and shall gladly aid it
Our sentiment of loyalty to this great
country cannot be questioned because
Virginia is dearer to us than any other
State; Virginians cannot blame us for
prefering our own section of the Com
monwealth; nor will our neighbors deny
us the right to love Clifton Forge more
than we love any other spot on earth
So Clifton Forge and her prosperity
shall be uppermost in our thought and
heart whatever in our opinion is fol
her good shall have our hearty approval
and support, while we shall vigorously
oppose any effort or enterprise calculated
to thwart her material progress, and
shall resist with all the might that is il
us the approach of any influence that
would tend to poison her morals or in
trude upon the sanctity of her domain
We expect to make mistakes; but our
blunders shall all be honest ones. We
expect to be often adversely criticised;
but shall pursue the even tenor of our
way undisturbed, hoping only that those
who cannot approve will accord to us
sincerity OF purpose.
We fully appreciate the fact that the
readers of the VALLEY VIRGINIAN have
been taught to expect great things at
the hands of it's editor, and they shall
therefore, be called upon now to exer>
else great deal OF forbearance toward
the new management.
The retiring editor, Maj. 8. N. Yost is
recognized as not only one OF the very
ablest and best editorial writer's in the
State, but as belonging to the first ranks
of the country. His native ability, his
extended acQuainta with men and
facts, his lifelong experience, together
with his habits of thoughtful industry.
have SO eminently prepared him for edi-
torial work that no beginner could hope
to measure up to the standard of his la
bors In him are combined more of the
elements of successful journalism than
can usually be found in any one man.
We are glad, however. to be able to am
nounce that his pen will not be allowed
to rust, and that the VIRGINIAN will not
wholly lose the impress of his vigorous
thought.
In behalf of the paper we bespeak the
indulgence and support of the people.
1t cannot succeed unaided. Lend it a
helping hand, and in return we trust the
public may be the recipient of reflex
influence wholesome and beneficial. Let
us by united effort send out a paper that
will reflect credit upon us and be recog-
nized as a potent factor in shaping the
destiny of this fair land
Among the many complimentary mott
ces the press has given of our late editor,
Mai. s. M Yost, we note the following,
from the Greenbrier Independent:
sAia. S. NJ Yost has retired from the editorial
control and mara cement Of the VALLEY VIR-
GINfAN published at Clifton Forge, and c. F.
Moore Esq., has been unanimously chosen by
the company in his stead. Whether or not MIR.
Moore will accept has not been made known.
Major Yost assigns his desire for rest, after for
ty wears of labor as litor, the reason for his
of his pOst. He has long been con-