Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-12-11

Of Just cause ~n~ -
-. as the representatives Of = brave UNI
md uuCoDQuersels people, Wh"' /,
~ - =. houpai-- -, powerful
, -. tc - policy is peace, pos
s-'- -.ess territory, vast wealth and il
40 resources. A judic:ous resort to the almost
.Ami,Gble system Of Yankee diplomacy cannot fail to
speedily reverse the one-sdsd neutrality to which We
ere now 60 much the victim. Nor even now is It to
be d9spared OF that similar policy toward neigh
bors and natural allies Of the NOrhWess;Sl be pro-
ductive of good results.
The state of the finances is commend ed to the esr
lest and most earnest attcnsiOn" of Congress We
fully concur with the views expressed by the President
on this subject, aud trust that It will zen
gross" tie attention Of Congress until they have
disposed Of 1t in manner to satisfy tho expectations of
the country. The absolute necessity Of reducing the
volume of the currency TO The necessary for the
business Of the country, a cure for many ills that
threaten US is earnestly insisted on. The President
argues with great force and concusveness that the
pt and intent Of ths Constitution not valated-its
letter to thecontsry-by imposing at this time equal
and uniform "a ration all descriptions Of property
The country will look forward with great interest the
forthcoming report Of the Secretary of the Treasury
which We are told presents the OutlneS Of system" of
finance that will meet its fsllsst expeetstions We
hope So
Il seems that the Preident did no. anticipate war
It strange that he should not have dole co. least
wien he ordered Gen. Beauregard to open on Fort
Sumter Perhaps the country At largo may be charged
with ths same want OF foresight Congress, at least
does not appear have Oreseen itom the provisions
it made. But the Constitutions Of the Provisional Gov
eminent prohibited any expenditure of money except
on estimates sent in by department. Hence, if the
proper e1psndureSwsre not made, che fault must rest
on the Administration. Yet war seems not to have been
anticipated Larger appropriations, and more com
prehensive financial system would of have been
entered upon It only during the second session of
the Provisional Congress that was declared to exist
between the Confederacy aud the United States.
Many excellent suggestions are made for maintaining
the efficiency Of the army. We have heretofore e1-
pressed views upon the repeal Of the substitute law
and the biaging Of eIsmpts into service. Every
within the present military aga should BIS put in the
service who is not more prsftaby employed cut of it,
Congress should act cautouIy in extending that sge
or 10 passing sweeping CONSUMPTION and providing that
those useful to the material and political interests
of the country, be exempted BY detail" We re-
monstrate against this proceeding as an infringement
Of the constitutional duty of the Representative branch
10 raise armies" which understand to armies
for the field and placing arbitrary power in the
hands of Of the Executive liable to the most
eorupdng and dangerous abuse.
The barbarous policy of lhe enemy in reference to the
exchange Of prsoners-heir pedlous disregard Of
tells at different times sgreed upon-their sAndsrous mis-
statements of treatment of their prisoners to shield
Ihemstlves from e1ecraOn for their 0diOus treatment
of our captive officers and soldiers in their hands-And
their unbushing proposal for parole OF their prisoners
which is denied TO ours-is fully exposed. We would
have been glad to have had the benefit Of suggestions
from the President what disposition shall De made
Of the Yankees on our hands, who are great burden
us-What form of retaliation may be ecacious to Sc
better treatment of mea-and also tie reasons
Or withholding the execution of sentences already i'm
posed
Toe suggest ms of the Precedent in reference to Or
gan zing separate Trans-Mssissppi Department call
fer the careful consideration Of Congress Any
act by the remotest co-strucsioD recognizing
partition of country, is fraught Wth dangers We
see no material objection to provisional Postal Depart
ment if NJ better measure can be devised for sur
mounting the obstacles alludea to- But the organiza
lion of the several departments under pro-consul,
with Discretionary power, both civil and military, is
matter for the graves: consideration.
But a short motto, Is takel Of naval aHairs-perhaps
much they worth, at least far they are
urder the control Of the worthy head Of that depart
msnt. Nothing very definite is disclosed. Our navy,
ike our is,ue of tomorrow, IL a myth. Bot we are
told that good deal Of material is being collected,
which may some day be in some wsy useful.
The operations of the Pos. ofio, Department are
represented highly satisfactory So far from being
burden, it has become, under its able chief source
Of revenue.
In conclusion, the President adVerts to the savage
ferosy which marks the condu0 Of the enemy in the
prosecution of the war, and draws parallel between
them ard the honorable behavior Of cur own army in
the late Pennsylvania campaign.