Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-09-20
"Xyhnt IRE we. iirht,ng for ln


correspondents handles this question in another col
umn So absorbing tie war; so intense and eager the
desire Of all for It's glorious elcss; that the defeat
and expulsion OF tbs enemy Is quite much as most
persons hlvecontemplied They have not had time to
look further Their souls have been engrOssed on that
object their physical and material means all devoted to
is attainment It ia doubtless great oil ectindspen-
sable in fact-6rst be accompshed for without that
shall not be at liberty govern ourselves. Known
the vital Importance Of routing the invaders aud driving
them from our borders and sympathising intensely wi
the feeling Of our whole people for Its consummaton,
We bad desired that the great questions which will arise
after cur independence ia established should not now
distract the pabHs mind but should be adjourned to
mose convenient Ac,ustsd by this moiiTe, we
had thought i. best that the Provisional Government
should continue it is till the close of tie war; that the
people should no. DO annoyed with elections while fully
occupied with the public enemy aud that when peace
returned, ve nigh, leisure adjust institutions
situation. and tx freedom lasting ounda-
ton.
We never for a moment doubted the result of the
struggle. The might be long might experience
revers anu have many hArdships ard privatons TO
dure but the final triumph the route and confusion Of
our than Yanial foewe doubted. But even
that achievement great and indispensable as II is would
avail Us nothing if do rise to the height of the
great argument profit by the Of the old Govern
mens and establish liberties on broad and impsr-
ishable basis. The fatal mistake Of the old Uuicn was
the substitution Of the consolidated for the confederaed
system central despodsm for league Of Free sovereign
States. In country OF such extent and of such varied
if not conflicting interests, the continuance and pros
perty Of such government only question Of time
II VIC undertake to establish lust such another Govern
msnt as the old ouly modified as to territory, and not
quite such diversity Of interests, too plant the seeds
of despo,isn or dissolution, and all suHsriugs and
our triumphs will be in vain. We shall travel the road
OF the old wreck, which began with Washington and
ended with Lincoln.
If We are Wise-if we are worthy Of the fSvors OF
Peovidence va will take warning from the lessons Of
the past and reap the benefits. An Elective King with
an army Of ofse seekers ard hundred millions of
enue will dsm1rszs any people and subver. any Gov
erume1t We may begin with Washington or Davis,
bat Linccl "a visible IL the distance. Are Of
sense 10 circumstance, peril lives spendseep
less nights for such an end:
Or advocacy Of Secession has been dictated BY high
or motives We have desired separation from the old
Unon, because it was a despo;ism-a corrupt and
rupog desposm, which threatened the extinction of
every virtue and of all love Of freedom. 1t had degen-
Grated into machine for the benefit of pscemen the
expense and to the degradation of the people, We felt
oppressed by this incubus We wished to be delivered
from ito revived the old liberties enjoyed by
Revolutionary fathers under the articles of Confedera-
too; to DO the free citizens of free Government
TIE Provisional Government expires by limitation next
February and to be succeeded by the permanent Gov
vernment. This permanent Government is subject to
amendment. 1t hears 'co close resemblance to TIE
Yankee machine at Washington for taste. We shsll
do whatever we can TO alter it radically We say this
now to exclude conclusions. If the old system is to
continue we know no man whom we shouli prefer to
President Davis to guide and control il; and We were
certain, that We should always have such one nigh
BE- content with things they But when we see
Lincoln in wa5hinStons chair, warned agains'
that hope We for getting rid Of Presidents for once
and flrever-redacing the central head to Whit should
be and designed TO be- mere agency without pat
rouage power ard exa the States to their true and
legitimate position in the system. Believing President
Davis to be thoroughly smbued with the Confederate
idea shall hop, for his hearty cooperation in rem
dering our Revolution worthy Of the admiration and
gratitude Of all mankind