Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-01-10
The Rebel opposlt1on Party.
JE7E. DAVIS ORGAN CALLING TIE oPPosITIoN
pAPERs HARD HAMEs.

The Rebel OppOSltiOn Party.
JE7F. DAVIS ORGAN CALLING THE OPPOSITION
PAPERS HARD NAMES.
The Richmond Sentinel, Of Janury 9Th,
has a leader headed 1.-THE Governments and
the Opposition, !" thus inadvertently admit
ting that the South is not unit in sus-
tanning the JEFF. Davis usurpation: The
article is as follows:-
The administration includes not only the
President and his Cabinet, but also all
officers, civil and military, appointed by
the President, and all officers whatever of
the Confederate government deriving their
offices directly from the people. Congress
Yields far more power than all the e1ecu-
tive officers. The President and ell other
executive officers are, especially in time OF
war, little more than agents of Congress.
Congress vests them with extraordinary
| powers TO meet the critical and uuVarying
circumstances of war, and may diVest them
of those powers when it pleases; nay, may
diVest them of all power, by refusing the
supplies needed to carry on the govern
ment. 1t ia the imperative duty of Con-
gress to watch closely the conduct of its
agents, the executive officers, and see that
they do not abuse the powers con6Ged to
/
wisely, diligently, energetically and faith
fully.
Ii it had reason, or saw any cause to
distrust the wisdom, patriotism or ability
of the President, or of his appotntees, it
should continue in perpetual session, in
order to guard against and rectify, SO far
as lay in its power, all executive miscon-
duct. That it does not hold such continual
session is ample evidence that after nearly
| four years' experience it continues to re-.
tain confidence in the integrity, wisdom and
general ability of the Executive. The reVi-
lers and traducers of Jefferson Davis would
have the people believe that he alone is
responsible for the whole conduct and ad.
ministration of the Confederate govern
ment. They fear to attack Congress, al
though it acts in admirable harmony and
cOncelt with the Executive, and iaQQite as
potent part OF the administration as the
Executive, because to lavish abuse on
Congress, the direct Representatives of the
people, would, In times like these, be al
most denial of the capacity of the people
for self government.
Let it be remembered that our affairs,
civil and military, are directed, controlled
and administered by the collective and
combined wisdom of the country; for all
officers, whether civil or military, derive
their appointments, either directly or indi-
rectly, from the people. In times of diff
Guilty aud danger, such as those in which
we are now involved, the people seldom
fail to put in office their wisest, ablest and
most patriotic men. 1t is the acts of this
government, thus constituted, which fac.
tiOuS, III. affected, treGcheTOWS opposition con-
tinualLy aSSaiLS. An opposition contempti-
BILE in numbers, and which does not include
in its ranks one single man eminent for
virtue and talent, and in whom the people
have ever been accustomed to confide. An
opposition composed of malcontents, ira
ducers, friends of the North in disguise
and host of sickly, timid, apprehensive
men, who have become their dupes and
instruments. These men select the Presi,
dent as the special object of attack; be-
cause they are afraid to attack the govern.
ment directly, and know full well that to
destroy confidence in him will be to par
aIyze the right arm of government, to dis
courage our own people, to encourage the
enemy, and bring failure to our cause.
We're the prime leaders of this opposi-
ton to quit our territory, as the Catalina
consPirators quilted the city of Rome, it
would be a happy radiance. Let them
thus throw off disguise and appear in their
true characters and the thousands whom
they have deceived and are deceiVing
would return to just views and sound sen.
timents. AS open enemies, we do moi
dread them, but as protesting friends, liv.
ing in our midst, they are eWliHentky danger
Gus.
What do the ignorant inexperienced, uu.
skilled scribblers and slang Whangers who
lend themselves to the false men we refer
to propose by their course2 Do they hope
that their misrepresentation and reVilings
will induce the collective and combined
wisdom of the country to heed their voices,
take counsel and advice from them, be con-
trolled and directed by them, and in fact
it not in form vacate their Offices, abdicate
their trusts, betray their constituents
Surely they hope for or expect no such
contamination as this. The government
would be weak and criminal Indeed if it
should be swerved from its course and duty
by abuse or advice coming from such
questionable and i'll affected and captious
sources.
Their sole object, if we are to Judge by
the obvious tendency of their course must
be to bring the government and the army
into disrepute with the people, to engender
discomfort, to beget panic, to prevent en-
listmsnts in the army and to encourage
assertions from tin fine, to discourage
and weaken the South and encourage and
strengthen the enemy, and finally to bring
about Northern success and Southern fail.
ure and subjugation.
These seem to be the objects of the few
tactious leaders of the opposition. The
great mass of the party consists of blind
and deluded men, who will return to their
loyalty as soon as they discover and com .
Prehend the wicked purposes of their dis
loyal leaders.
tbs Richmond rebels have busy time
| IL.