Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-09-19
CONGREGATIONAL elections.

|
The time designated by Law for the Election OF Men,
bers to the FIRST regular Congress of the Confederate
States is rapidly approaching But thus far, We hare
few Candidates announced 1twoud sesma If those
who ordinarily aspire to Congressional honors properly
appreciate the deep responsibilities Of the coming Con-
gress and hesitate about thrusng themselves on the
public notice. This is WELL The present is no time for
gratifying personal aspirations The e1geucies Of the
pubc interests demand tie services Of ables and
best men, In ordinary times may bear with second
and third rate men, because the machinery OF Govern
ment can run on without their aid and in spite Of their
ueiciencS. In period Of peace and prosperity, when
grave questions of public policy disturb the country,
the people too aptto give countensnce to dema-
sogues political icksters and harequins, who amuse
them with their bufoonery on the hustings But nov
the public demand grave, senstlI, earnest men-'mcn
who comprehend the importance of their position, and
have the taen. and maDlness to meet 1t. They want
patriotic men, who will devote themselves to the public
ia:eres instead Of scheming poiticsns who spend their
days in mar elvrng for their advancement, and
their nights in debauchery, reveling and farobsnks.
The present Government OF the Confederate States H.,
as our readers know, temporary and provisional
one The next Congress, will be charged with the duty
l
will have to settle all the great questions Of foreign and
domestic policy 1t will have to prescribe rules for
intercourse with foreign nations and 10 lay the fcunda
tons Of great system OF internal policy. Il will hsye
to provide the means for carrying the war; and 1t
may have to determine the basis Of peace with the North
ern states All the great questions of finance, Of com
mercs and Of navigation, will fall within the sphere Of
its Jurisdiction Everything will depend on giving the
Government right direction at the outset. An error
committed now cannot readily be repaired hereafter
Experience has sbo~n that some Of the mistakes Of the
Congress Of 1889 could rot be corrected but controu
ed TO mar its operations as long as the old Union lasted
and probably hssened its downfall
We want meu like the JCfsrsons, kasons, Henrys,
Lees, Pendletons and Randopbs Of the Revolutionary
era If they are to be found lie. them be called into the
pubc service Let the people take the matter into their
own haads They have right to command the services
of their wisest aud pures men, and they should do So
No consideration of personal p'rtiz,u prejudice or
parsty should interfere with the discharge OF this high
dcty Od party issues have become obsolete, aud old
marty lines have been eAcei Patriotism demands that
NO should forget that they ever existed The man Who
for selfish Objects would seek to revive then trailer
to his country. We now entering on new era,
under new Government. Questions which divided cid
pars under the Constitution Of the late United States
and which we're then obscure have rog been made plain
nv the provisions of the new Constitution These questions
can never arise again. and the opinions which were en-
| ter.ained in regard to them, have now no prsc-
teal importance There can be no grave questions
now or hereafter in regard to the true character OF our
Government or in reference to tariff, bank, or dsrbu-
lion, or the right Of Virginia to secede whenever, in
her judgment, the powers delegated to the Confederate
Government shall have been perverted TO her injury or
oppression All these matters plainly provided for
in the organic law. We have wiped out old Issues and
| are about to begin anew.
As Vircinaus confess that feel strong desire
that the ol Dominion stoald send delegation TO the
drs Congress worthy Of her ancient fame. As patriots
W. hope she will choose who will bs equal to the
emergency We want men Of m,tursd ability Of ripe
experience, OF extensive information, Of sound judg-
N mt and of unsulied integrity We want who
rsaud the philosophy of FREQ government, who have
studied attentvey the teachings Of history and who
ca pabls of cduc;ng from them those lessons which
so essential to true craftsmanship Let younger and
less skiul pots stand aside until tie shall have
passed away.
We saHesty appes then to the people of yirgpi, TO
sovereignty. Do no. be imposed by designing
ayers selfish aspants. Think and act for yourselves
Lock through your district and decide who is the best
Informed, the wises and most competent to dis
charge tho high duties Of representative in Congress,
and then elec. him. Men Of this stamp are not likely
to seek ofice-you must seek hsm. Remember that
public Offices public trusts They are not favor, to
be conferred but re,pon,ibs duties to be imposed act
for the public you would act for yomse,vss Apply
the standard to public that you would use
In selecting agent to manage important private in
tsrest Of your If you are selecting lawyer to
manage an important cause, executor TO take
charge of your estate after your DEATH you are very
sure to look for Of ability and knowledge of bu.
sness aud integrity. Act upon the rule in select
| ing your members Of Congress, and all will be well.
But if you are satisfied with hippant decaimers-wth
ready retailers Of stale snecdoes-wth mounting dem
sgogaes who hatter with view to betray you-with
,ortuous ntrgues who making your backs the lad
ders by which they climb up into cse with view to
crafty their selfish ambition-thsn you may rest az.
sursd the consequences Of your folly viii DO visited, not