Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-01-16
Impressment.

The President, in his message, apologies indirectly
for the seizure of private property by what he calls the
power of impressment" by alleging the insucency Of
transportation Herecsmmends that the exercise Of this
power be guarded by udciOus provisions against perver
sion or abuse and be under due regulation of law This
all very we'll but it would have been far consistent
With government of freedom and law if before e1ereis
ing this tyranuica power the right to DO so had been
obtained from the law-makng authority. There has
existed no necessity for It's exercise at all 1t is SANDER
upon the people of Virginia assert that such necessity
has existed As general rule they have willingly sold
their produce To the Government at the Governments
own priee-eyen when that price was half the market
price In other cases. the parties have not refused to
sell so far as we have heard but only demanded the
market value, which the Government refused to give
/ For the sake of few dollars, the Government set
aside all law and Justice and resOrted to force to rob
individuals OF their property, while millions were being
ayished upon fay5rites II is striking Illustration OF
the injustice of this proceeding that the price at which
the Oyerameut is mpressing -four is from two to three
dollars less than the price paid by the Government to
| the Crenshaws.
One would suppose that common sense would dictate,
that Government like ours dependent for its very ex-
,,ence upon the affection and confidence ofthe country
would spare no means to secure that confidence and
affection But so far from this, the disposition seems
to exist to hass and ALLEVIATE the people by every species
oyetty tyranny This has been especially the case with
respect the great agricultural population on which, at
last rests the sole hope for the national salvation-
Nothing but their whole-sSuled devotion to the
cause could have made them submit in quiet to
the violation of law and wanton invasion of their
rights 1t is difficult assign reason for this alb
surd and extraordinary policy. Possibly the solution
uav DC found in the vast number of Jews and Yankees
| shaving no sympathy for our people and no regard
feelings and interest, have nsnuated them
Nhe management Of our affairs.
-, nj impressment conducted at present,
So. ", asd consequently unjustly aud OPP
oP''@''9 \residing near the armies, or con-
-. :. and canal are those only who
wa Ney are forced to sacrifice half
- 80 ,ha;. ,.on,r, NVegLbors a few miles dis
-. G.. !. Lrn, ~, Nenhauced in price by the
Government, seizure. Our poop, INNS " ~ any
thing for the Cause but they have -,
tina, the burdens should be equal, ana
alike, and by the law Of the land. w. - =.
the service OF the Government ..- l'-' ~
fair terms and for such compensation a n. F'"''D'
can give. ~,
| Wedo not write dis to iufane the n-t l.,ontsnt
eli.t. hit in che hope OF inducing ,nsh action Ga
Gao; % f-e,s. a. vii tend % 'upcase IT, Our peep
have .,- accustomed 20 I>=. AS. i.'y s6tos
! es-sry .a.-.son OF mHJarv ,oi.ece. C0ngre cahao
pass bn Oa he subject Lich does not recognize us
lumpsnsatoH ior private property Appropriated 70 pub
& uss and aheh dos not also, In cstiIustiUg that
p-ua,ou % some eI,sUt recognlge the depreciation Of
ARE currency lac lac that Of the STATE Of Virginia
aold nee. s the dcrosa5t u the Government, satisfy
tbs ssopls. and above ali preserve character
| Csve-ameni vt liberty and sS.