Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-08-31
Vigilance. the Price Of Liberty.

Tn tina Tan Commandments. says the Charleston
Mercury, God is represented as Jealous 700
Waiohunees Jealousy Of our rights, Is the only way
10 preserve them against the continual tends cy 10
evil in all the Administrators Of all Governments ln
Dss,oIe Governments, there are no rights and, OF
course, 70 watehfulness jealousy In the oiiz n 10
maintain them The Government demands confidence,
whether rshtfuly due not; and regards all animsd-
yersiOps on its acts ss signs of treason. On the con
trsrv Free Governments are based upon the sseump-
lion at no man is 10 be trusted With Unlimited power;
eouseoueu,ly power L. diVdsd-ehecked and hsmpersd
With responsibility; aud active vigilance On tie
par. of the peopls, In experimenting is operations,
is condition Of It's continued existence. In the
ancient Republics, this superlntendenee was carried
on by the people assembling in Person In masses 10
hear and Judge OF their sfflis. Two improvements On
this method Of superintsndencs have been invented IN
modem times TAe people meet BY their representatives.
instead OF meeting in person; and The press azores
dsy-houtly means Of information aad rseporsoiiity
more poenL perhaps, than representation. Through
these two elemsnts-(ep entatlon and Tree press)-
she watohluness and jealousy Of the people, in main
tAiniug their Liberties, now employed and the man
sho offsets 10 the independent and free exercise oil
either OF these means Of superineudence, In Free
Government is false 10 the Government and traitor
to the peopa-
Nisa question very wen worthy Of our consdera-
,on-bays We Of the Oonfede as States aimee tie es-
adjustment Of tho GaverDmsnt of the Confederate
States faithfully exercised these two grand instrument
,slities of superiusendencs its Operaonsf Has
the Congress Of the Confederate States done its du!!
and exercised that Vgllsnt supervision over the Ex-
ecuiye and all other apartments Of the Government,
uhich the ppirt of the Constitution requires Has it
enforced the measures Il deemed expedisnt to carry
On the war; and rejected incompetent appointees
60 efi,e, aud only affirmed those 1t deemsd ht for
The efficient discharge OF ts dutiesS o., on the
contrary has it givSn up to the Executive the poser
Of leeilaton-of passing the laws he has orgi'
mated and Arrestng the laws he has vetoed, by sus
tanning his VITO against themselves; aid affirming
Ill his appointments 10 Office, good, bad, and in
dsreut and even tolerated ,hs continuance in office
o. officers whose appoint nents hsvo never been sub
United TO the Stnte in accordance with the express
requirement. of the Constitution And with respect to
tina Confederate Psess-hls il faithfully and fesressy
dore ia duty by exposing the abuses, and
nations of the administration OF the Government; and
,hus earnestly tried 70 prevent or TO correct thems Or
On the contrary, has 1. generally exercised vgi-
l,nce-no jeaousy-oVer the operations Of the Gov
ernment; and not only bindy supported, but in many
instances impiedly charged fahessness those who
would not Join In their base Of subseIvienoy in
supporting the most lrious to cause
We submit these questions worthy Of the ser
ous consideration.