Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-08-21
Opposition to the Government.


vestgated. RUFUS K. SPEED.
Opposition to the Government. i
President Davis and his Cabinet occupy most !
important and highly responsible position The ]
eyes OF the South and of the world are upon them
Hoping and believing that they feel the weight of
their responsibility they are looking AMI Ia
boring with an eye single to the well-being of
all parties and interests of the entire South-that
they ignore all party aims and ends, and give no
countenance to partizan feelings future political
partizan advantages, do most unhesitatingy en-
dorse the following sentiments SO ably and strongly
expressed by the Richmond Examiner A state of
war for independence, is no time to play the parti
IAN. Menwh do stare reckless of the true interests
of the country. If however, those who manage
National or State affairs are guilty of partizan
| aims and ends, and so manage the public inter-
ests as to show their party bias during this war,
it is right it is patriotic and it is the solemn duty
of every true patriot to oppose them, and if possible,
to defeat and disappoint those ends and aims
But otherwise, opposition for mere oppositions sake
or to attempt to build up party in opposition to
! wise and safe administration of the government
is criminal, and the ban of public opinion should
rest upon those who are guilty of it The Examiner
says:
1.-THE Confederate Congress deliberates with closed
| doors, and we'll advised person could wish their
sessions be the of gadiators and the
spectacle Of the popuace. But general statements
of the temper and intentions of parliamentary bodies
WILL despite of every caution, find their way before
the public, and generally contain more or less Of
truth. 1t is now currently believed, with much dis
tress by judcious men, that there is small minor
ity of Congress disposed to organise standing op-
position to the present Executive of the Confed
eracy.
We are happy to think, however, that the minor
ty is too small and too clearly without support in
public sentiment to create serious difficulty in
any of the functions of the Government; and every
sound intellect that is inspired by patriotic heart
will unite to put down all efforts to create organ
ization of party for such ends
1t is not desirable that any Government, even in
time Of civil war and revolution, should be above
and beyond the reach of parliamentary question: ex-
animation and control 1t is the constitutional duty
Of Congress and the inalienable privilege Of free
public opinion to check tie Government of the
Southern Confederacy when it enters the path Of
error or proposes measures that may cause serious
inconvenience and unnecessary hardship to the poo
pie. A new Government commencing its operation
with uptried means, and amid unparalleled circum-
stances, from necessity, make some false steps, and
the men who hold the powers Of our nation have
evnced their readiness to reconsider and modify
their measures when warned by the public voice Of
an error in their calculations. But that just and
useful vigilance Of and interest in the action of the
Executive which the country and the representa-
tives of the country should never lay aside is Who'll
ly different from the continual antagonism and
slant animosity of attack which the Characters
tics of parliamentary opposition, organised into
party.
party Of the opposition is an indispensable and
inevitable feature Of free Government in time Of
peace. " bile affairs pursue their ordinary current,
it is beneficial to the State, and prevents gov
eminent from much corruption. But in seasons
like these it is neither beneficial permissible
n Government is preserved from arrogance and cor
rupton by the magnitude of its external dangers
9 and has no need of a memento mort in its own
. house. The sole effect of party of opposition in
Congress in this crisis will be to delay the measures
required by the public safety, and weaken the force
of the public resolution. When our disasters come,
J, and sooner or later we must have some, war being
full of chances accidents defeats, as we'll of vic
+" tories-the existence of such party, in6amed by
that hatred which grows with the exercise Of antag
onistic sentiments may even imperil the existence
Of the Confederacy.
If the condition of these columns to-day permit
n ted, hundred unanswerable reasons might be all
urged why all sensible men in and out Of Congress
should set their faces against any party or faction
% that is disposed to make antagonism to the Govern
is ment basis of political organization. But these
" reasons SO palpable, that even those who are
purpose. 1t is the first duty of every Southern
y statesman to afford the present Administration a
frank and hearty support in the great and dangerous
@ task it has undertaken. That the who compose
it sincere in their purpose, it is pure folly
:, doubt, for if there be any difference in common
ruin, the worst fate will be theirs. Of their ability
they have given the best proof in their steady sue
frou no how ad 70 nm 4
a. the present moment Any one who will examine
:. the materials for an Administration now to be hac
70 in the Southern States will probably come to the
l. conclusion that another Government less open tt
re objection, could scarcely be drawn from them
With difficulties seldom encountered in the history
of nations, with means the most limited and in tn
immediate presence of q tremendous adversary, !
70 has accomplished the most splendid results ant
secured the power to achieve others yet greater
1t is even less just than wise patriotic to assai
7. this Government, because an army. such as thu
Oldest and most experienced of military nations
could scarcely maintain without strain OF every
nerve, called into existence at moments warning
III when previous preparation and provision was impos
p sbe has not that complete system Of supply, ant
/. that mathematical order which characterizes tn
!. legons Of France and Germany. 1t was necessar.
, to have this army; it is beyond human power t.
D. give any army perfect organization without man.
years of labour and hence it is certain that ar
" rangements should be defective in many points,
of But evils that cannot be avoided, if borne will
patience and cheerulness, cease to be misfortunes
and if ever period has occurred in the history Q
"a mankind, when mutual sympathy, forbearance, an
), support between the people, the Congress and tn
" Executive was required by the interest Of country
er it is surely that in which we now live"
: NJ TRoops IN vIRG1NIA.-A friend writin
.t from Richmond, under date August 18th, says
*Our gallant soldiers whoare every day treadlng tn
- streets of Richmond, the admiration of all. u
= yesterday the 18th Regihent-Col. Pettigrew's-
= left here for Acqua Creek Warm work is expec!
=. ed in that quarter"
ut STATE Srocks.-We learn from the New Yor
to Doy Book, of August 9Th, Gor copy of whic