Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1862-07-11
Public Confidence.


Public Confidence.
In order to carry on the war successfully and
terminate 1t early,t is necessary to sustain our
Government and leaders and let them feel that
they have the confidence of the Southern peo,
pie. Grumbling and fault finding is easy
thing to indulge in, but it is terribly emoarrass
ing to those who have the responsibility upon
their shoulders. The Richmond Enquirer has
very sensible article on this subject, from
which we make few extracts
Nothing at such time as this is so import
ant as public confidence in those charged with
public duties nothing SO embarrassing the
want ot it. The purpose we have in view is to
show that there is no reason why the public
should not repose IN unshaken trust, under
Providence, in those who have the direction of
public affairs.
1t must be apparent to all that the reasons
which determine the action Of the authorities
Ot the Government cannot be known to the
people in all cases, and in most cases could not
De explained without detr;meat to the interests
of the Confederacy. The failure to meet public
expectation, and to realize public hopes, may
result from an inability, the disclosure Of the
nature Of which, might apprise the enemy OF
sources OF weakness which he could use to our
destruction. The Government is thus placed
in this dilemma, to disclose our weakness to our
own people and to the enemy, or to do its best
with its disposable means, and to rely upon
the good sense of the people to credit the fails
ure occurring to the true though unknown caus-
es. To take the first horn Of this dilemma
| would be IN many cases criminal and treason
able-and yet the pursuit OF the only other al
tentative is often met by the insanely unreas.
onably with complaint and sondemnati on.-
Such people insist that failure is impossible unless
| there be uQDardCQaDlo neglect.
though they confess they entirely Ignorant of
the reasons which induced the cause ending in such
failure.
This is all folly and madness Secrecy in army
movements, and in military policy, is essential to
success. Patriotism would prompt, not
blind belief in the iufabty Of our leaders but,
| least, a confidence that they who the whole
game know more and direct it better than those
who only results, but are blind to the steps
| in the progress OF the game,
| 1t is very easy for people, who are at home, or
like ourselves, in the editorial sanctun, are
doing nothing but seeking news to stimulate their
morbid appetite for the marvellous, Or drive away
the ennu of ingOriOus Incidence and ease,to order
victory as a condiment for their breakfast, dc
sire battle as glalatoral pastilns for their en-
tertainment. But he who has thousands of lives
at stake and the destiny of people in issue, may
We'll pause and weigh the results of actions, which
may hur souls into eternity unnecessarily, per>
il ths liberties and independence of great Confed
/ eracy. The responsibility of hls action will not
be shared by these censors OF his conduct. who
would blame disas ter for of care, and claim
of him victory without the exercise of prudence,
forethought and discretion.
Il Let, then, the people do justice to those charg
ed with the public duties-letthem remember
their cares, difficulties and burdens. Public
office in such times is truly no sinecure. Cease
less vgIence is required to meet the crisis
Wearied brains and carsworn hearts are its
daily fruits. To feel that withal, he has neith
er sympathy nor encouraging counsel from the
people but only censure, Or complaint, OF
evil and .distrust, is not least ofthe troubles 0
the public man.
Let there be no spirit of fault finding, but a
desire to speak the plain and strict truth, ant
to proffer honest counsel and aid to those VIII
administer the Government. -.