Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-08-15


one of their personal relations but is one affecting their
official standing towards this Confederacy
But we forbear We might go on for considerable
space showing cause why the Legislature ought to meet
now, and no later, and do trust that majority of
the members will recognise the responsibility of the pc
siton in which they placed and meet it promptly
and at once, becomes the lawmakers for free peo-
pie in great crisis OF their destiny
AS for the Senator'S we bad almost forgotten them.
We want to make ourselves partzans of particular
man or memo followers and subjects of mere po-
litical or military dictation.-Ddily Journal, 1Ah
WE TAKE IT FOR GRANTED, that the present govern
ment of the Conederacy in all It's details and depart
ments, is merely temporary and provisional The per
nlanent Constitution, and the permanent government
organized under that Constitution will not take effect
before next Fe ruary, although already approved by all
the Confederate States.
One provision of the Confederate Constitution has
reference to tie tenure of Office namely, making all
minor offices virtually for le during good behaviour
since removals must be made for cause and such
if demanded must be submitted to the Senate.
Now, what we wish to know is this namely: Are
the officers of this provisional Government to be
sarily the officers of the permanent Government? or
they not necessarily provisional like those who ap
pointed them? Decidedly the latter. In fact it
seems to Us that DO official tenure held under the ap
pointment of member OR department of the present
provisional government can have longer duration than
that of the appointing power. The creature cannot
surpass the creator.
| We do not call attention to this matter because of
any uDgratifed thirst for office part, the
part of any of our friends. Personally, we have not
even thought of Office. Neither do wish to make
any particular objections against those who have sought
and obtained such things-not in general way For
what the State Journal calls the profession, have
not the very highest respect it is true, but man may
hold office and be good clever after all, in spite
of it. Our main suggestion, however is this -Natu-
rally in getting up new Government there must be
good deal of the machinery be organized and provided
in each department and bureau and thus mere routine
knowledge becomes valuable and almost Indispensable
This knowledge existed mainly among those who had
held the same positions under the Government at Wash
ngton, and thus, almost matter OF immediate neces
sity, number Of Washington clerical hacks and an
amount of Washington back stair influences have found
their way to Richmond, even more than they did to
| Montgomery, because they cannot longer get
employment at Washington, and because further they
are now willing to condescend to extend ";ecog-
milton " to the Confederate Government by giving it
the advantage of their sublime services. Now in these
people, as general thing, have little confidence
They go after the hesh.pos. They are too familiar
with the corrurtions of Washington official life to be
altogether free from faint and BESIDES their fidelity is
not so iuexorably fixed to be wholly above tempta-
ton We don't want these people to be considered
quartered upon the Coefederacy for ife Let have
an interim at least that some discrimination may
be made.
Again, about the different Navy Yards, especially
Nor folk and Portsmouth, circumstances may compel the
employment of who cannot be trusted to any great
extent. Nearly every paper receive from either side
Of the Elizabeth River narrates instances going to show
this and indeed hear from private sources that near
all the staff and more than halt Of the workmen down
there are of than doubtful loyalty. The Ports
mouth Transcript of tie 10th says 80 gentleman Of
responsibility assured this morning that naval off
Ger rot long since declared That if the yankees should
come here hope they will kill half the in the Navy
Yard For myself, have no interest here, and would
leave by railroad Our informant says that the officer
who uttered this sentiment on duty here What doe;
Mr. Secretary Mallory think of this ?" The same Tran
script tells about the arrest Of named Purdy
guncarriage maker for using language of the most rea
sonable and incendary character. Now, with all re-
spect to the good and true men of Norfolk and Ports
mouth and there many such it is evident that the
hangers on about the Navy Yard and have beer
Northern men, not merely in the accident of birth, bu
in all their feelings and assocations-tbat such ar
4 the men who have crowded to obtain all the situa
e tons and appointments under that department
e of the Confederate government, and that per
haps necessity compelled the authorities to take them
but surely they ought not to be quarered too hast
: for life on the Southern people.
By the staff we the master Workmen-the bosses
We make these suggestions for what they may be worth
We believe them to be correct, and the matter therei
e noticed worthy of attention.
IT IS SAID that Mr.. B. FL. Smith, said to be men
: Der of the Confederate Congress from Alabama ha
been arrested in New York. and will be held as hos
age for the safe return of Mr. Ely the Federal congress
Il man now in Richmond
8 OF course this Alabama Smith ia not the North Ca
It DINA Smith But what was he doing in New YorL .
WALTER NORRIS, son of the late ex-senator Norri
of New Hampshire was killed at Bull Run fighting o
the side of the South. He was member OF the Beat
regard Rifles.
y Col. CAMERON, tor the recovery of whose remain
r. Simon Cameron, Secretary of War; is making so man
crooked exertions used to reside in Portsmouth, Va
The Daily Transcript says The deceased will be r.
IS membered by people brother of Simon, Lincoln
Secretary of War, and for number of years resident
Portsmouth, in connection with operating the Gospor
+ Iron Works." He went to the wars however, in tt
h service of the identical party we have heard him
roundy condemn as workers of treason and was Ell
d trely kilt
THERE APPEARS to be little reason to question til