Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-10-23
Complaints.

Complaints.
We are not disposed to give ccuntenance to
groundless complaints from any quarter, but when
wellfounded causes for complaint exist our columns
are open to the aggr,eved. s..5.5
We give paee to-day to communication from
our correspondent "Stanly" which we suppose to
be well.founded. Our correspondent is aione re-
sponsible for his statement as We know nothing Of
the facts We are inclined, however, to think that
his remarks viii be somewhat offensive, and it is
not improbable that he is laboring under erroneous
impressions.
Nothing is more to be deprecated during this war,
than conflict Of feeling between our citizen SOL!
diers and our citizens who are not in arms The
very best understanding and the kindest feelings
should prevail between them. Weconsider our VOL
unteer soldiers the best the world. They are not
mercenaries or hirelings-they are not serfs or
slaves, but our own citizen suGiery, who have the
highest claim upon the hospitality, the confidence
and the respect both of their officers and the com
munity. But on the other hand our soldiers are
ready to admit, that their officers and the commu.
nifty have right to demand and expect from them
at all times, the most gentlernahly and soldierly
bearing. Our ctizen-sold:ers will not, must not
think, that because they are soldiers they can with
impunity trample upon the rights of citizens, and
that our people have right to complain Of their
conduct, if it be wrong and damaging to them or
their property. None of them can take 50 improper
view of the reciprocal duties existing between our
soldiers and citizens
We have recently heard complaints from our SOL
diers who have lately gone to the defence of Will
miDgton and Newbern that those communities have
not received and treated them with the hospitality,
kindness, and consideration which they had right
to expect. 1t is highly probable that there
grounds for the complaint; and We say so, because
We have received from responsible sources, ASST
RANGES that is so But inclined to think that
this impression has been made without any intsn-
ton the part Of those communities to be neglect
full, unkind or inhospitable.
1t is well known fact, that from the beginning of
this war up to the present. Wilmington especially
has acted noble part in promoting the comfort of
soldiers, and that she has done her whole duty
in support of the war. Other towns in the State
have emulated her example, and some of them have
done as much in proportion to ability, perhaps, but
none have outstripped her.
But does not every one know that human nature
cannot bear every thing! At first, every body was
out in carriages on horseback and on foot vieing
with each other in marks of respect and hospitality
to our brave men who were going to the field of
battle. Our people are still hard at work getting
up clothes, and blankets, and medicines, and COM
forts for Them But peoples feet will get tired and
peoples purses will get empty in spite of them. If
therefore at this late day, when our soldiers 60 to
any Of those places where all the people have been
turning out to see the elephant for months and do
ing what they could to help the soldiers-if at such
places they do not receive the attention they expect
they must not charge it to inattenton, neglect or
inhospitality.
We are Mortified to learn that both in Virginia
and in this State the camps of our soldier boys, are
still drained Of the little cash they have by the
horse-leech skinfints who are eager to sell them
any and every little necessary luxury at three or
four prices. No punishment is too great for such
horse-leeches. They would rob churches or grave
yards. Let them meet with the execration of all
good men.
Since the above was written We have received E..
Gs letter. which gives Wilmington the high charac-
ter she has generally sustained for hospitality.