The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-10-02
0nr Coast nafennes.


The Louisiana Integence says the recent descento OF
Butler upon the coast OF North Carolina resulting III the
capture OF forts Hattera and Clark should teach US les
son not easily forgotten ner lightly needed Defeated
IN the principal land encounters with our Determined
troops enemies will very naturally seek to effect
distraction IN the plans and operations OF our armies
by employing that of assault IN which they are
ncontestably superior-we the Maryland to at
tacks OF which most vulnerable. The Lincoln
government has been eharterng and putting IN comms-
SION very large number OF steamers Tor more eXtehu-
ed plan of naval operations than it has yet attempted
These admirably fitted for transports and Tor land
ing troops upon extended Atlantic and gulf coasts
And while portion will be employed for this purpose,
Others with such ornaments as they require TO make
them effective, will take the place OF their well appoint
ed vessels in enforcing the blockade and leave them
at liberty to lombard and reduce our mere formidable
Notifications upon the la these naval raids they
will assa our most vulnerable points, where they
will meet the least effective resistance, and occasion
the most wide spread dsmay. body OF cavalry, thus
landed upon coast could lay waste large sections
of beautiful and fertile country before sufficient force
could be assembled to arrest their course In the
mean time they would levy military contributions up
people, and, when too hard pressed they could
withdraw their shipping and embark under cover Of
their guns.
Had forts Hatteras and Clark been properly garrison
ed and provided with the munitions OF war by the nll
tay board having these deences in charge those forts
would have resisted any attack which the federal fleet
could have brought against them. The people OF North
Carolina justly indignant that the whole coasts Dor
dering on the Albemarle and Pamco sounds are thus
exposed to devastation by hostile inroads.
What has happened on the coast OF North Carolina
is even more likely to happen our wealthy and dense
ly populated gulf coast The main shore is not pro-
tected by low sandy islands, and is ndented with bays
and harbos accessible tovesses of considerable draugh
The productions and commerce more important and
the size aud wealth of gulf cities and towns offer
greater temptations to INSCRIPTIONS commanders and
ruthless soldiery Nothing but vigilance and prompt
ness can possibly protect from irreparabe damage
to our property and commerce. Besides, the moral eff
fects OF the part of the enemy in any such
naval deens upon heis issues of this contest would be
exceedingly disastrous diminishing the chances of peace
and confirming the people of the north in already
obstinate belief that invasion by land and will
ultimate in the subjugaton othe Southern Conederacy
ANY reveses this nature at the present time within
few months to come, would seraiously embrrass us
in our hopes of recognition by European nations and
affect inuriousy attempts at the negotiation of foreign
loans no matter what security might be offered.
The coasts of florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisi-
ana and Texas are but sparely supplied with strong
forts and fortifations Comparatively little prepare
ton except in particular localities has been made
and even these, fear, not provided fully to
sst we'll concerted, vigorous attack. Few bodies of
soldery have been posted along the coast to watch
the movements of the foe by Every eye has been
strained mark the progress of the contest in Virginia
and Missouri aud IN the absorbing interest of
transpiring there fear that we are not sufficiently
guarded against disastrous blow at home. Let the
governors and military authorities of the States more
Immediately interested, see to it that "the common.
wealth meetsno detrment"-tha Notifications are con-
structed where needed to resist naval attack and
that adequate corps OF observation stationed along
our extended coast. We rejoice that the southern
press everywhere is pressing this subject upon the at
tenton both of rulers and people, and with fair
prospects Of heed to their counses Let them as faith
full watchmen, still urge the propriey of practicing the
political maxim that constant and eternal vigilance is
the price of liberty"