Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-09-22
Congregational Elections.

Conversational Elections.
The time designated by law. for the cleo
ton OF members to the first regular Congress
of the Confederate States is rapidly ap-
preaching. But, thus far, we have seen few
candidates announced. 1t would seem as
if those who ordinarily aspire to Congress
sional honors properly appreciated the deep
responsibilities of the coming Congress, and
hesitate about thrusting themselves on the
public notice. This is well. The present
is no time for gratifying personal aspirations.
The exigencies of the public interests de-
mand the services of our ablest and best
men. In ordinary times, we may bear with
second and third rate men, because the ma
chinery of Government can run on without
their aid. and in spite of their inefdciency.
In a period of peace and prosperity, when no
grave questions of public policy disturb the
country, the people are too apt to give
countenance to demagogues. political trick
sters and harlequins, who amuse them with
their buffoonery on the hustings. But now
the public demand grave. sensible, earnest
meu-men who comprehend the Importance of
their position, and have the talent and man
illness to meet it. They want patriotic men.
who will devote themselves to the public in
terests, instead of scheming politicians who
spend their days in maneuyring for their
adv dnccucut, dnu luclE III
cry, reveling and faro thanks
The present Government of the COnfede
rate States is as our readers know, a mere
temporary and provisional one. The next
Congress will be charged with the duty of
inaugurating the new and permanent Gov
ernment. 1t will have to settle all the great
questions of foreign and domestic policy.
1t will have to prescribe rules for our inter-
course with foreign nations, aud to lay the
foundations of great system OF Internal
policy. 1t will have to provide the means
for carrying on the war, and 1t may have to
determine the basis of peace with the North
ern State. All the great questions of
finance. of commerce and OF navigation, will
fall within the sphere of its jurisdiction.
Everything will depend on giving the Gov
eminent a right direction in the outset. An
error committed now cannot readily be re
paired hereafter. Experience has shown
that some of the mistakes of the Congress
of 1889 could not he corrected, but contrib
uted to mar its operations as long as the Old
Union lasted. aud probably FASTENED its
downfall.
We want men like the Jenersons, Masons,
Henrys, Lees, PendletOns and RandOlphs of
the Revolutionary era. If they are to be
found. let them be called into the public ser
vice Let the people take the matter into
their own hands. They have right to com
mand the services of their wisest and purest
men, and they should do so. No considera-
ton of personal or partizan prejudice or par
tiaIity should interfere with the discharge of
this high duty. Old party issues have be-
come obsolete, and old party lines have been
effaced Patriotism demands that We should
forget that they ever existed. The man who,
for selfish objects would seek to revive them,
is traitor to his country. We;are now en-
tering on new era, under new Govern
ment. Questions which divided old parties,
under the Constitution of the United States,
and which were then obscure, have now been
made plain by the provisions of the new Con-
stitution. These questions can never arise
again. aud the opinions which were enter
tanned in regard to them, have now no prac-
teal Importance. There can be no grave
questions now or hereafter, in regard to the
true character of our Government, or in re-
ference to tariff, bank, or distribution, or the
right of Virginia to secede, whenever, in her
judgment, the powers delegated to the Con-
federste Government shall have been per-
verted to her injury or oppression. All these
matters are plainly provided for in the or
ganic laws. We have wiped out old issues
and are about to begin anew.
As Virginians, we confess that we feel
strong desire that the old Dominion should
send delegation TO the first Congress wor-
thy of her ancient fame. As patriots, we
hope she will choose men who will be
equal to the emergency. We want men of
matured ability, of ripe experience. of extern
sive information of sound judgment and Of
unsullied integrity We want men who I'M
derstand the philosophy of free government,
who have studied attentively the teachings OF
history, and who are capable of educing from
those lessons which are so essential to true
craftsmanship. Let younger and less skill
tul pilots stand aside until the storm shall
have passed away.
We earnestly appeal, then, to the people of
Virginia to assert, for once, their inherent
and indefeasible right of sovereignty. Do
not be imposed on by designing managers or
selfish aspirants. Think and act for your
selves. Look through your district and de-
eide who is the best informed, the wisest, and
most competent man to discharge the high
duties of a representative in Congress. and
then elect him. Men of this stamp are not
likely TO seek ofiee-yoa na,rst seek them Re-
member that public Offices are public trusts.
They are not fapOrs to be conferred, but respou-
sible duties to be imposed. Act for the public as
you would act for yourselves. Apply the
same standard to public servants that YOU
would use in selecting an agent to manage
an important private interest of your own
If you are selecting lawyer to manage an
important cause, or an executor to take
charge of your estate after your death. Won
are very sure TO HOOK tor man of ability
and knowledge, of business and integrity.
Act upon the same rule in selecting your
members of Congress, and all will be well.
But if you are satisfied with fiippant declaim-
ers-with ready retailers of stale anecdotes
with mounting demagogues who fatter with
q view to betray you-with tortuous intrigu-
ers who are making your backs the ladders
by which they climb up into Office with
view to crafty their selfish ambition-then
you may rest assured the consequences of
your folly will be visited. not only on your
selves, bat on your children's children to the
remotest generation.
The present Executive has the confidence
of the country, and we hope will be reelected
by q unanimous vote. You owe it to him, as
well to yourselves, TO place in the coordinate
of the Government men who are
honest and capable and faithful TO the Con-
We have discharged our duty by this earn
est. admonition; fulfil yours By acting in ac-
cordance with it.-Ric hnlond Wing.
The Ensmy's Forces up tho River.
From the information which We have re-
ceived from various sources, we judge that
the available forces up the river are distribut-
ed as follows: At ST. Louis, Is, 900; Cape Gil