Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-04-12
1CokMUEIcATRD.
A RRGENERATED PRESS.


1t has teen observed, and We must concede, that
the literature of people presents fair standard of
its national character If newspapers and periodi-
Gals may be included in the term literature then we
are sorry We but form poor idea Of the boosted
chivalry of the Southern people, for these papers
have performed feas of abSurdlty which leave in the
shade the most atrocous productions of every despo
tic Government, and Baron Munchsusen can hence
forth set up claims to veracity, since his deeds have
been completely outdone ca this continent.
But We would be unjust towards the Southern
people, were we to accept the daily competitors Of
fasehood, of blsspbemy, and imbeciity, which have
been teerning In Southern journals for the last four
years, manifestations of the depravity of whole
population. In examining the elements which ccm.
biz ed to produce the morbid state Of public feel ng
which existed In our midst for 30 long, we must
make allowance for the local fanaticlsm o. popu-
lace reared In preudices and often In ignorance No
doubt the heads of NEST people 10 the Sou heru
States were wrong, but the heart of the majority
though perverted Oh the surface, was sound under
meath.
And what wonder that the conspirstcrs who aimed
at the dest ucton of their country succeeded 30 well
In turning the heads Of this people and to gather
proseyes to their doctrines, they welded the most
powerful of modern weapon S. the press.
The rise and growth, the decline and ultimate
downfall of the Southern Confederscy furnish an ex
ample Of what mischief licentcus press il able TO
Ii Act upon a nation the world may reve. again
witness another instance of the complete ers.avr-
n,ent, body and soul, of whole people by few
daring and truculent braggarts who knew their fell
lows ooly TOO we'll. free press, the seine qua non"
condition Of all liberty, was never known In tie
Sulh as far ss we can think back. There was
rally, only one party, and enc opinion reigred
re, that CT the stakeholder, and woe to the
pr Itch who would have dared to opposethe po-
exclusiveness of the South, for bowie-knfe CT
,tol ~ould soon have "sett'ed his hash"
TL, who had sn insight into tie organization of
u society can understand how this contemptl-
bic farce Of Confederacy could 60 suddenly and
so radically subvert all common sense, and enthrall
It SO long, but for the unnihated il will forever re-
main mystery.
Every day some fresh delusIon was presented to
the popular mind setting aside tire great victories"
which became too stale In Inc COnfe1eracy of late we
Will only mention the two chief sllurements with
which tie united press of the country found it ne
cesssry 10 sustain the marital spirit of their readers
First In order came Foreign L.Crg,atioa under the
leadership OF two inlalb!e chieftains, King Cotton
and Prince Tobacco, and mex. in order Cur EiI.nds
at the North, who were relied on to battle for
Southern Rights
After it became evident that these auxiiaries could
not, with any great cert .nty be depended upon and
nascent party commenced spreading over tie cJun-
try, Of mea who could not help feeling some misgv-
ngs as to the final issue Of the contest, then the
Wanted heroism of the Southern race was appealed
to as ths only true guide to Southern independence,
and TRADE was set up against "eroakers" and
"skulSers" which grewthe more ve1omous as disas
ter followed disaster
A loiter spirit must he1ceo'th pervsde the mem
bers of the press of this c2unry "chsstsog" poiti
cal opponents will do no moie except with the pen
-rowdyism, wo hope, is extinct forever.
War Is terrible scourge, hut it has, nevertheless
some salutary effects following in its bloody trail
and II the great contest, which now Is, happily,
drawing to close, were TO leave us 70 other bless
Ing than that of a thorough reformation of cur pc.
liuca organism, AID Of establishing lesly free press
ali over this fair land, Americans may still have
cause to congratulate Themselves, and be proud of
their common country, as the Father Of his Country
commanded them to do w. II K.
CautiIitv 10 nathan in hi-4b