Year: 1863

oltne f1nboTS y tht hiChW0H0 enquirer


GEsrLExES: have been ssbscriber to the
Richmond Enquirer. since June. 1871 / shall
presume on this long acquaintance, so far as to
give expression to few thoughts on the present
perilous condition of our beloved Confederacy
Though unknowing and unknown, take not
less interest in its present and prospective des
tiny aa


We are in the midst of desolating war
whether wisely or foolishly begun. il is too late
now to discuss. The question of successful re
sistance alone must occupy public attention. In
view of the vast preparations of the enemy for
our subjugati0n, il is matter OF grave astoDish
ment that our public men should waste their time
in clamoring and quibbling about State rights.
habeas corpus. constitutional Limitation. and
all that Why. sir, have they not yet
realized the solemn truth that war for self
existence. as this Is, is suspension of all law,
all gospel. all written constitutions, whenever
and wherever they, contravene our success
With the enemy at the door, these otherwise
inestimable rights and blessings are placed in
abeyaDce tor the public welfare pendehtelte. The
great and paramount desideratum is how to con-
duct the war to a successful termination; to up
hold that army in number, discipline and supplies
is the sine qaa non OF our success; TO wrange and
cavil about the means, is to tri1e with the sub
iect The patient in the throes and agonies of
death cannot wait the slow decision of your board
of arbitratng doctors about the price of his re-
covery. Lees army on the Rappahannock must
perish disband or fall back under the six weeks
discussion of market prices, Just compen-
sation, &c. Was there ever such insanity on
the part of legislators before? | am an old
man, and must. therefore, speak plainly; the
alarming exigenc'es of the times demand it;
nothing can save US but that this Congress
should clothe the President with full power
Ova nd swnrd In pouduqt this NJ IN ifs
conclusion. We no longer fight for shadows,
but for substance; we care not for forms or
names so we achieve our ends. Democratic as
semblies are clogs upon our success; they have
been eminently so this winter 1t must have
been obvious to any man OF common sense. at
the beginning, that this war would terminate in
military despotism on both sides. From the very
nature Of the il is inevitable. as the strife
becomes more bitter and acrimonious each day
the struggle more and more doubtful, each
will resort to the strongest measures for sue
cess. The Yankees have already adopted this
policy: they care not for Names but for things;
not for shadows, but practical results. They
have merged ell other questions in that OF con
quest: shall our statesmen set down with fet-
tered limbs and calmly wait the concentrated
tack of three millions Of men, guided by one
mind and sustained by one purse and swordl
Democratic declamatiOns about the inalienable
rights of man and his capacity for self-govern-
ment will not STAY the alarm This idolatrous
worship of Democratic forms of Government has
had its day; it is now phase of past society with
the sardonic grin of death upon its face. IL may
do in times of peace and plenty. but when popu-
lation presses upon the means OF subsistence,
when gastric disturbances no longer observe the
nice distinctions between neum and teum, all
history attests its failure, and the necessity of
some stern power to protect the minority from
the majority


If you think these suggestions have any value,
you may use them as you please. The only re-
markable feature about them is, they emanate
rom Democrat of forty years standing.


SKNEx.