The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1866-12-19
Prescription in Rusiness.l

While we are the sole judges of how
we should conduct the Journal, we
willingly publish communications dis
senting from our views of the man
ner in whichcwe control it, If couched
in the proper language and spirit
For this reason we give place to the
article published below, especially
coming as it does from a member Of
our own party. although it may be in
the extreme wing of the organizati on,
"R" alludes to the manner in
!. which the JOURNAL has spoken of
Captain ARCHER, of the steamer Lib
erty. If he has been constant read
er of the JOURNAL, :" r" will remem-
Der that we promptly at the time de-
nounced the display of the rebel flag
in the most severe and unreserved
language; and that we we're never
during the war tcharysof the terms
employed in speaking of suchconduct.
But we would suggest to our friend
that political opinions do not essen
tally enter into the qualifications ne
cessary for running steamboat"
IF he is sincere in this matter he can
commence his work of prescription
much nearer home As to Captain
ARCHER, we have never hesitated to
'reprobate in the strongest terms the
act referred to aswell as his political
principles, during the existence of
the war; but when we speak in terms
of commendation of his capacity and
efficiency as a business man and his
urbanity and genial nature, we are
endorsed by all who know him. Out
side of our own local packets there is
no one on the river, who is a better
friend to the interests of Evansville.
As to our New Orleans friends, we
have nothing to- recall, and can only
repeat what we have already said.
Their capacity and integrity are
known and acknowledged by the bust
ness public of the West. " Having re-
-eeiyed from them many kind atten
tons, personally, we were glad to ex-
press our appreciation Of them as we
did. While the war was in progress
we did what we could through the
JOURNAL, and by the more active
method Of army service, to put down
the rebellion, and discountenance
treason. In the discussion Of poll .
teal questions, our opponents, at least,
allege that we are sufficiently posi-
tive in the expression of our views
Butowel claim. now that the war is
over, the question-of political opin-
ions does not properly enter into the /
conduct of business matters as be-
tween merehantssolThe sensible bust
ness man does not now inquire into
the way in which the merchant votes
before he makes his purchases, or
what the political views of the Cap
tain may be, before he ships his goods
on the steamboat. There may have
been some cause for prescribing bust
ness men In time of war; but upon the
return of peace the most relentless
enemies Of rebels, in this or any other
country, have never demanded as one
of the punishments of treason, pro-
scription in the business pursuits of
life While we are very decided in our
views of political questions relating
to the participators in the rebellion,
we, recognize the right of all men to
engage in the industrial and business
pursuits of life, and are ready to do
all we can to assist in restoring the |
South to prosperity and plenty.
There are doubtless merchants in
New Orleans whose hands are not
stained with the blood of our sons
and brothers" but we know of none
who are publishing that fact to the
world as reason that they should re-
ceiye the business Of the West, or as
an evidence of their special qualifica
tons as commission merchants; nor
do we hear of any Western traders
shipping corn, -four or pork to the
South, who are as particular in their
inquiries as to the political opinions
of their consignees, as to their respon-
sibility and business qualifications.
Extremes meet. We have strenu-
ously contended against this system
of prescription, when advocated by
the Courier in the interest of rebel
partizans, and we must as seriously
protest against it when our own party
friends seek to blend politics with
business and make the one dependent