The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-08-23
TOO MUCK POLITICS.

IF we might be permitted to oftera few
words of advice to the public journals of
Virginia, it would be to counsel them, TO
devote less of their valuable space to the
discussion of political topics, and more
to really useful purposes. What liie
people Of this State needs mostJu just no"
is rest, and an opportunity to forget
but if the papers will keep on DAY altei
day loading down their columns WIN
heavy leaders, on exciting poii'ica'
topics, thus opening afresh each MORN
inc some closing wound, they cannot
EXPECT to Iull their readers into sleep
of forgetfulness. We scarcely open
Richmond paper, but We find that it
contains not one but several, deliberately
written leaders, treating with more or
less bitterness of feeling the most excit-.
ing political questions of the day. This
has tendency to add to and intensity
the bitterness of feeling among the peo-
pie, and keep them in feverish state OF
excitement without doing one particle OF
good. Most of these papers, too, are very
fond of looking at the gloemiest side
of the picture, and take great delight in
publishing ideas and sentiments that are
calculated to lessen the respect and con-
hdence of the public in the good faith
and stability ofthe Government, which
1t is so necessary to foster and encourage
If we would restore the former good I'M
derstanding between the peoples of the
various sections of the country. 1t is
as easy to write in a mild and good
natured tone, as it is to indite lach-
rymose, fault-finding and ill-natured
essays, bewailing the degeneracy of
the times, and the cruel wrongs that we
have suffered, are suffering and must
continue to suffer until the end. Through
all the writings of these editors there's
a vein of ill-concealed discomfort and
restless uneasiness, which plainly says
they are wearing a yoke that chafes
their collars, and which they desire to
let their readers know they would glad
ly get rid of, but self-interest keeps it
around their necks. They imposed it
upon themselves. Nobody asked them
toestablsh newspapers or write fOrthem,
and if they choose to write articles con-
trary to their convictions, in order to
put money in their purse, it is their
own look out. There are at least two
newspapers in Richmond whose edito-
rails are ofthis order. Its plain enough
tosee, from the vacilating and half-apolo
getic style of their articles, when any
thing has to he said in favor of the pro-
per mode of reconstruction or in support
OF the administration, that not one word
comes from the heart of the writer, and
that it would be much more cOnsonant
with his views to denounce everything
lie supports, and adopt straight for
ward and manly course of out and out
opposition. This weak and assembling
course does more harm to the cause it
pretends to support thana bold and def
ant tone of opposition could effect. We
cannot see any reason for il either, be-
cause nobody is deceived by their luke
warm support of the Union cause,
and ii is so far from convincing the
people of the error of their ways that
it only serves to confirm them in
their old political prejudices, Therefore
if they must publish papers for q liveli-
hood, we would advise them to eschew
politics, and cease to outrage their own
feelings and sympathies, by assuming
virtues they have not, and weakly adj
vocating measures which they detest.
Let them follow the example of their
brethren in other portionsbf the South,
and abstain from political discus
sions altogether. Publish good natured
papers, and put the people in good
humor with one another and with the
Government, by keeping from them all
irritating questions, until they are in a
better mood to receive sound and whole
some instructions, and have laid aside
some of their present foolish and rebel
lious notions. Lay politics on the shelf,
and talk about anything else you choose
and, for the present, let the inevitable
negro alone--let him rest from his la
bors, for he has been faithful subject
to the press these many long years.
- So
The meeting of merchants at the City
| eli H. 4. nj 60