Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-10-23
The Right OF Free Thought and the Duty Of
Capdor


An artic in city jounsi, wmcn processes TO be 4
cricism OF Mr. Pollards recsn; publication, The Sc
cond Year of the War;" takes occas 10 produce an
srgumsnt 50 CON non and JET illogical that we may
NOTICE it generally, apart from its application TO any
imue date offset OF literary criticism 1t is that cen.
sure or derogstory noce Of the administration neces-
ssriiy implies an attack upon the whole ConfederAcy.
doWever this nsy have been Intended by cosempo.
rary it Is the conveoient fsllscy of Alerers These
would have believe, the. whoever makes an uncom-
pimentAry Gllusion to Mr. Davis and his Cabinet at
ticks the Cou deracy and its dsgaces in the
ewes Of Europe; and socits the ruin Of tho country
We ca1no. share tneee ideas Of the perso al impor-
lance OF President Davis. They not the inspira.
lions Of an independent Judgment In the article
erred TO- it s declared that JCffsrson Davis mas "ed
and directed the tskols mighty movement" 90 far
rowards the accom- ylshmenIOf our independence. OF
course sccedng 10 this standard Of judgment censure
of the President involves The ruin Of cause and any
derracon from his sale attributes Is lmpOus treason
The people of this Couederacy have aceompi sbed
much; nave exhibed many heroic virtues; and have
wruue some favors OF fortune from the adverse
circumstances Bat in all that subjects of congrat
NATION In this war, what part lot has the STATES
manship" Of Richmond; what has really bsen contrib
u.ed By the President and the Cabinet officers who
surround hmi This is the serious question of his.
tory and is not 70 be trAed with the compliant spirit
of contemporary times lie. those who deny the justice
of that historical judgment which refuses to attribute to
the official authorities Of this Government such sue
cess as We have had in this say what they have
contributed to it. Then the question will become prsc.
,ca and the discussion be stripped of the vague style
of general compliments and the mere assertions of Fat.
terry.
Where are the great evidences of statssmansbip" in
Richmond; where those Of the foresight and sagacy Of
our leaders, Are they to be found 10 our foreign rea
tons which have been sbsurdites; in our provisions
for the war which have been mske-sbifts from month
10 month; in our financial calculations, which have
proved the most ridiculous failures in history Who s
responsible for the wreck OF our nancesthe people or
he Government
At page 24S of his work Mr.. Pollard says:
But while the prospect Of early peace dissolved
before the eyes of Congress- subject Of instant and
practical importance sorely pressing upon It's atten
ton The vast volume Of Treasury notes issued by the
Government had occasioned rapid depreciation of our
currency inflated prices, and produced serious financial
difficulties So crude and short sighted had been our
notions of public finance that at the meeting of Con-
Rress in August 1892 we hnd President Davis recon-
me ding IL that the public creditors should not be
paid in bonds but that unlimited issues of currency
should be made. He then said in his written message
20 Congress The legislation of the last session pro-
Vded for the purchase OF supplies With the bonds of the
Government bat the preference Of the people for Trea
sury notes has been marked that legislation is
mended 70 authorize increase in the issue Of Trea
sury notes which the public service 10 require
No grave inconvenience need be apprehended from this
increased ISSUE the provision of law by which these
notes are convertible into eight per cent bonds forms
40 efficient and permanent saegnArd against any serious
depreciation of the currency" H
lis we'll that the question should up for public
discussion in what real and substantial particulars the
Administration has contributed to this Wehave bad
enough of mere words about President Davis being the
Central figure of this war and the representative Of
the shirt of the Soath and his exaltation upon the
buekler of the people, after the of ''the long
haired Franks.n Let rs know what be or the immedi-
s ministers Of his will have done, that the glory Of
A. war should be concentrated in them and represeot.
"A in their pelsons the derogAtiOn Of the people and
the dsparagement OF the STATES.
eWe DO not ourselves indulge in, or justify in Others
can,ious criticism or urcslled for opposition, but We
prost sgaost the idea that duty to the country ana
6deiry 70 the cause are incompatible With candid and
honest "a ri 70 correct and to avert mischief
even though the effort should disclose the ac' tna' we
Rave an Adjudication not tree from the aities and fall
Ii ,iss of mort Is less esva-ed L. will be sad me
with be ueoce Of his count ~hee they FORBIDDEN
t, -a'eh = remark upon the conduct OF hose VINO
tor the me the management Of their anArS-