Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-02-04

jcune men printers Is. perAap, the moss grasping
exhibition which has occurred since the beginning OF
the var. TIE date of this new inspiration is proof
posi- i've Its dsnt estsdnesI. True, the papers Which
have bos bavest in the expression of their patriotism
have not been those opposed to certain actions ana
lines Of pocy of the Administration Is may be- too,
that some Of those sudden patriots are wholly ignorant
of the fact that they will be exempt on the ground oil
age of physical disability the performances Of Ger
tain important public duties not remotely connected
with the art of printing Still that cannot diminish
genuine and unseif,h love of county strong natu-
raj fondncss for military glory.
The Constitution Of the Confederate States has or
once had clause which says Congress- shall pass no
Law impairing the Liberty Of the press, or some
thing to that elect. Ba. since the Constitution has
been torn to pieces for waste paper by the editors
themselves, Congress is under no obligation to even
alude to that departed instrument. written Const-
tu.on and free press have been supposed to be CD
exisences each necessary to the life of the Others and
if the one is to be up and scattered to the winds,
the sooner The other is suppressed the better Under
the proposed law, free press is impossible and daily
paper out of the question One editor and few jour
neymen printers cannot conduct daily paper. Why,
then, che farce Of permitting daes or, indeed, week
lies, to exist The news of the day can be made Known
by muGh mper and cheaper process than by the
costly and cumbrous apparatus oil types and steam
presses A. certain hour OF the day, clerk may be
allowed to mount the apple stall at he entrance Of the
War Department. and there diyulge such neWa as is
deemed proper to impart to the people, by word Of
mouth "oyezI oytz latest news from Vicksburg
and Lookou. Mountain Or the Congress or the Elk
ecDtive may make special exemption Of some very
aged and lame literary man. Nhose business it shall be
to run through the streets certain nunber Of hours
day with bell and a red flag, on which correct bull
elu is pr; he devot,s the remainder Of
bis time 10 writing proper history OF the War Or,
srco is the lshioI to employ ladies', the e;reua
ton Of the VS. could be safely entrrsed TO Il select
coupluy, duly mustered aid sworn into the fervce Of
old maids.
Let us have one thing or the other-a Jul fo. pre-
or no press at all If Congress thick 1T hat but
Administration pap should be published, let the Law
be passed in just many words. Do not deceive the
public WAh pres which ptetends to be free but which
cannot, il the nature CT things be really so. Deal
honestly with the people, is the bOuuden duty of eve
rs public servant. Ii the best interests Of the county
Aocisu P4ess sVtV. AHoiS % HV LIEU
Of mere ne rs patrg To gcatfy popular curios y ut
the expense Of an enlightened public opinion, Is not
wise. To remose all barriers 10 NAL administration and
keep up costly printing establishments for the saks
merely of tickling the auditory nerves of the quid
m,eS, i, not wise. To exempt type settlers and con
scribe cultivated and ssal writer's whose functions
not less important than those Of Senator Repre-
sentative and whose hadsrce is far more potential
than either is not vie. II the Fourth Esate' is TO
be crushed, lei it be done with msSly opeuuesS and
oandOur becoming Southern Congressman. Let nothing
be done in the dark in devious, undetermined way
ABOVE all, % ros practice fraud tie people,, Give
them press absolutely free, else turn them TO
the tslder merces of noWs vending old maids.