Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-08-29
TUECONSTITUTION-STATE RIGHTS.
RICHMOND WING.
SATURDAY mOnNING. August 20, lsss.
Government Organs

Few causes contributed 80 much 10 me "u1
dsrepute of the OLD United States Government a. the
pr,etiss Of subscribing nesspaPeSs to act as gov
ernmeot organs Thus was, an tu'h, the hFs' step 10
wards the inauguration OF general scheme OF IroHiga-
ey which brougd. ruin and sgrAce upon the country.
Evarv Act Of an Administration, no matter how base,
rn,5 lie ius III cation ia the columns q It's stipend af
cbamoio1. Gogerumel, subsidies aud Siieal iayos to
,,rrupt Iarty hacks we're freely distributed, and
r.mi6ed system Of debs srg patronage coeX n've with
the country, was Eu-tlrsd until Independence itsel
vas suopllntei by au almost universal submission Ct
,he popular will 70 the control Of tie governing power
It ia, indeed, vile prostitution Of the iu'enohs O.
news2aper TO descend % the Justification OF every act
of Government 10 mater LoE UNJUST or delmeu'a'
I,isa sorry conueutl-y Oh the independence Of the
press and sadder sill onha purity OF the Govelnw'h'
whose acts need Lireling defender 10 sus Ain
than An Administration conscious Of recttnde,
and actin, in the light Of high moIal principles,
and pure pltrioac regard for the public nter's :,
vould sourn such AID The very employment. Of 81
.ogan preuoposcs the absence Of such motives for
there is no need 70 justify right or defend an act dole
in accordance with principles OF justice and proFtty
Public acts xiu almost invariably reveal their own mo
ties and an intel gen. aud discerning people need uoi
thu aid Of al "Crgau' 10 expose them. No degree oil
hsouousuess can be loses than that which essays the
yndcation Of every 9c OF Government however per
pieious and improper It IS 5n act OF conscious aud wiu
degradation, incompatible with and hal TO those quail
lies of Independence and moral worth, which, next 10
Intellectual capacity, constitute the essential qusf-
e,tioas of newspaper conductor II be fG's to
p,sbend shat is eensura5le in an Admin ration he is
4 D ma D. h, do
p.ehend it, aud instead o. ceusu,iug O5sequiOusly
approves, be is morally incapable OF filing it
de IS nothing move than miserable tool in tie
hands Of, the Administration u deceive the public
b. usting false coOring upon It's motives and &C.,
s the loves. Of al occupations md the lessl scuf
withmanlnes CT freedom ct opinion. Nothe lees evil OF
this system IS the enlargement which gives TO NAL
administration in a government. 1t adJris, in fac.
SORT CT immunity from public oeususe foe malpractice
for 80 long as there tgisoa, plbC lsure lacks the
fJree which would give il effect Eyl-lOers hnd aid
AID eomfJrt in q limited puzzle approval A formula
Die display Of favor, even 3gat,ye approval such
a. extensive patronage With IT, aid Of organ must
ueedj command encourages HceuiOUsu,ss great
essential Of corrupt government il merceuary
pres, through which 10 crea.e pub.c opinion
flrmabe tots policy AMI Ni TIE Grst step in this dir
ZION generally the establishment IA ceatra organ which
a. u be the gu.d, OF master musician in the g and
choir Of hOsauu ah-sing,Is throughout the cCun-
try Such Vas very much the plan % Orgauz ton
under the Old Government.
We hope that NO Adminstr alton vial ever be found
10 this country 80 corrupt De willing employ an
agency that cannot be o,boruise than demoIazing u
the yeope-or tIar, If such should unfortunately b,
~. c,.a m inurn.l ill be f1und has. and vspsl
enough to accept the shameless service The tue II ssUn
Cf the Press as We conceive is to asslil aud
tain right, wherever seen. il may dh.r in judgment
without censure or the impu:atOa OF bad motives. l.
may condemn without scufriGty, ~ l. may approve with
on. aunkyism Towards these in poEer the bearing Of
an honest journal vii alsAys be tia. Of independence
sustaining measures that make for the pubic good op
posing those that tend TO mischief and app!auiing
denouaeng motives "a they may seem praise by or
reorehensble Iadi5crimnate support aud iadiscrin-
nate opposition are alike dishonest and hu,,tl. Where
faults are venia they may be overlooked; where errors
attend wsmeant Efforts they should be forgiven: but
when the public welfare is threatened with the fruits Of
corrupt designs aud koAvish schemes then the Press
should thunder EiJh iis most terrible aud blasting
power.
Long distant be the day when tie Press Of the Con
fsdsrate States shall lie anything but Independent, aud
honest