Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-09-20
The Southern Press Represented In ''e
Confederate Army.


When John Randolph, Of Roanoke, was a
candidate for reelection to the Federal oo"'
gress in 1873, the grea! point against min "~
that he had voted against the decIara'''" "
/ war in the first instance, and had subsequently
co.opcrated with the Essex JnnIo reHe.s-.ce:
in opposition to certain measures, the o"'',
da bill' among them. During the delivery "
q sneecb in explanation Of his representative
conduct in one Of the counties Oh MS 'ls"'''
a few days before the election, he was inter
ronted by an officer Of the militia WIN 'ne
following interrogatory: "Mr. Randolph We
wish to know your reasons for voting against
that Canada bill" Instantly Mr.. Randolph re-
piled by eoquiring Of the interrogation il he dld
not belong to the ''c5icial department OF the
Military" and upon receiving an affirmative
answer, the orator thus addressed him: ""hy,
then, sir, don't you tender your services to the
Government, and ask the privilege OF taking
your regiment to Canada, that you may test
your faith by your works. You ought to re-
,oice in the opportunity now afforded you TO
convince this people Of the sincerity OF your
liberal professions Of patriotism, chivalry aud
public.spirlt. All, Colonel, this chimney-eor'
ner patriotism is very convenient, ana SUITS
the purposes OF demasogues admirably, but it
serves no beneficial purpose to the country. .
How applicable the sarcasm and the rebukc
of the Roanoke orator to both the "otiicial"
and the selC-constituted military characters Of
the Northern press. Webb, a military man
by education, and 4 Napoleon in pretenstoh,
after having done everything in his power to
bring on the wal between the North and the
South, instead Of soliciting a Brigadicr Generals
commission that he might convince his Yam
kee friends Of his sincerity in advocating their
cause on paper, retires upon a large annual
salary several thousand miles beyond the shock
of arms. Greeley, the self constituted leader Of
the Yankee forces previous to the battle OF Ma.
nassas-the individual who gave the order to
march coward to Richmond" which order was
obeyed by Gen. Scott and President Lincoln
did not, in person, venture across the Potomac,
restrained from doing SO, doubtless, By the
prudential consideration that he might get hurt
in Virginia. Neither Bryant nor Weed, nor
Foruey. nor Raymond, nor any other editorial
general vino has planned the Yankee campaigns
and criticised the Yankee commanders, has
obtained or asked any position in the grand
arny,' either as officers or US high privateS.-
The only one of the whole number who has
run any risk in the war, is Raymond whose
fight from Bull Run is so we'll known.
We are proud to know that the editors ofthe
South come up to the full measure Of true
patriots according to the Randolphian test
We do not know within the limits Of the entire
Southern Confederacy 4 single press that has
not soma representative on the battlefield.
By representative we nean Il soldier to fight
the enemy with death dealing weapons, not a
mere newspaper reporter from the camp. We
have heretofore spoken Of the officers and pri-
Yates in the army FROM the offices Of the 'En.
~suircr," the ",Vhig," the Dispatch" and the
Examiner" If this city. The newspapers Of
the whole State have sent their lighting repre-.
srnta.ives into The field, and the sauiu is true,
we believe, Of the press Of the whole South.
As Randolph suggested, they feel called upon
to give practical illustration Of the faith that is
in them.