Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-08-21
Opposition to the Government.

Opposition to the Government.
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 and Ia
boring with eye single to the welbeing of
all parties and interests of the entire South-that
they ignore all party aims and ends, and give no
countenaEce to partizan feelings future political
partizan advantages, we do most unhesitatingy en-
dorse the following sentiments ably and strongly
expressed by the Richmond Examiner. state of
war for independence, is time to play the parti-
Men who do !: 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 manage the public inter-
ests 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 possible
to defeat and dsappoint those ends and aims
But otherwise, opposition for mere opposton's sake
or to attempt to build up party in opposition to
a wise and safe administration of the government,
is criminal and the ban of public opinion should
rest upon those who guilty of it The Examiner
says:
1.-The Confederate Congress deliberates with closed
doors, and no we'll advised person could wish their
sessions to be the foratorca gadators and the
spectacle of the populace 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 OPP
position to the present Executive Of the Confed.
eracy.
We are happy to think however that the minor
ity is too small and tho clearly without support in
public sentiment to create serious difficulty i'll
any of the functions of the Governments and every
sound intellect that is inspired by patriotic heart
will unite to put down all efforts to create an organ
izaton 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, cx-
animation and control. 1t is the constitutional duty
of Congress and the inalienablc 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 peo
pie. a new Government commencing its operation
with untred means, and amid unparalleled circum-
stances from necessity, make false steps; and
the men who hold the powers of our nation have
evinccd their readiness to reconsider and modify
their measures when warned by the public voice of
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-.
tveS of the country should never lay aside is Who'll
ly different from the continual antagonsm and con-
slant animosity of attack which the characters
tics of a parliamentary opposition, organised into
party.
A party of the opposition is an indispensable and
inevitable feature of free Government in time of
peace. lille affairs pursue their ordinary current,
! St,ko
eminent from much corruption. But in seasons
like these it is neither beneficial nor permissible
Government is preserved from arrogance and cor
ruption by the magnitude of its external dangers
and has no need of mement0 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
and sooner or later must have some, war being
full of chances accidents, defeats, well as of vic
tories-the existence of such party, infamed by
that hatred which grows with the exercise of antag
oniStic sentiments, may even imperll the existence
| of the Confederacy.
If the condition of these columns to-day permit
| 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 antagonlsm to the Govern
ment basis of political organization. But these
reasons are so palpable that even those who are
ulSpOSeu 10 IL,
| purpose. 1t is the first duty Of every Southern
| statesman to afford the present Administration
frank and hearty support in the great and dangerous
task it has undertaken. That the men who compose
it sincere in their purpose, it is pure folly to
doubt, for # 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
cess from the hour they were called to power up to
the present moment. Any one who will examine
| the materials for an Administration to be had
in the Southern States, will probably come to the
conclusion that another Government, less open to
! objection, could scarcely be drawn from them
With difficulties seldom encountered in the history
of nations, with means the most limited and in the
| immediate presence Of tremendous adversary, 1t
| has accomplished the most splendid results, and
secured the power to achieve others yet greater
1t is less Just than wise patriotic, to asSal
| this Government because an army such as the
| oldest and most experienced of military nations
could scarcely maintain without strain of every
| nerve, called into existence at 4 moments warming
when previous preparation and provision was impos-
sible has not that complete system of supply, and
that mathematical order which characterzes the
| legions of France and Germany. 1t was necessary
| to have this army it is beyond human power to
| give any army perfect organization without many
years of labOur; and hence it is certain that our
engagements should be defective in many points,
| But evils that cannot be avoided, if borne with
patience and cheerfulness cease to be misfortunes;
and if ever period has occurred in the history of
mankind, when mutual sympathy, fOrbearance, and
support between the people, the Congress and the
Executive was required by the interest of country
| 1t is surely that in which we now live"
N. @. TROOPS IN VIRGINIA. friend writing
from Richmond, under date August 18th, says:
HOur gallant soldiers whoare every day treading the
streets of Richmond, the admiration of all. On
yesterday the 18th Regiment-Col. Pettigrew's-
left here for Acqua Greek. Warm work is expect
ed in that quarter"
STATE SToCKs.-We learn from the New York
Day Book, of August 9Th, Qor copy of which
] we are indebted to Mr. Black of Adams Exnress !