Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-06-13
Our Coast neutrality-suspicious..

Wed not wish 70 be alarmiss That we have avoided
Neither do we wish to claim for the town OF Whining
ton any peculiar protection But there is this TACT
the Town of Wilmington with her great navlgaoe rVer
the Cane Fear with her three Railroads, connecting
her with almost all parts of the State, with her large
population being double that of any town in the State
with her assessed value equal to any other four towns
in North Carolina, is, as State matter and as Con
federate matter, important point so important
that even European journals the London Times in the
number have referred position one to be at
tackled by the Federal Government and defended by
the Confederate authorities, These things are So we
have tried to investigate this matter and Others having
more authority, from position at least, have done so
and they agree with u.s. Wilmington now, so far as
North Carolina is concerned occupies at least proxl-
mately, position ike that occupied in Virginia by
Norfolk, or by Charleston, in South Carolina we
say, of course proximatey. We have endeavored to
urge this upon our authorities.
Now, some parties who have, or think they have, a
certain amount of authority influence seem inclined
to sneer at all the representations OF the KIND coming
from Wilmington, evidence of the fact that we
down here are scared" Well, perhaps so
Let US see Yesterday afternoon and during last
night reports reached here from the sound about steam
ers off our coast landing men. Well, every man VINO
had gun turned rightout, and every man who had not
tried to get one. That did not look like either
towards or people who were scared"
Much praise is due to the Militia company on Ma
sonboro Sound, who, under the command of Lieut.
Hewlett turned out within two hours although scatter
ed over space of seven miles. They rallied as one
man and that man was ready to stand up for his State
for POuld tC
find out the truth about the rumors ahoat We think
that without being false they to- say the least pre-
mature We say this to assure the public We assert
most positively, that so far as we know, or can lind out
no hostile landing has been made attempted to be made
as get upon our coast
But let US take the thing fairly into consideration
Suppose the alarm last night had been founded upon
fact Suppose transports had been off our coast Sup
pose they had landed troops and all these supposab
cases. We ask this QUESTIONABLE ready to oppose
them? Just look at the thing. Are ace ready? We
will not answer that question. We content to pro-
pose it for the consideration of those who abe
ought to be able to give satisfactory answer. We
may be invaded at any moment. That question must
depend upon the action of adversares. 1t remains
with US however, to be ready. If we not, somebody
will be to blame, and we will not be that somebody
We say distinctly, knouing arhy say that our
coast, South of Cape Lookout ought to be protected
efficiently within the next ten days. How we obtain the
knowledge upon which predicate our opinions is
another matter We think it correct. Certainly if il
is not correct we will be the safe side pre-
pared. But in prior remarks we wish it understood
that we do not make them moves in mere game tc
stir people up. If within fourteen days at the arthes
we are unprepared it will be by accident thai
we will not have to regret it.
What then do we propose? That is natural and {
fair question. We propose that at least two regiment
should be rendezvouzed at points the Sound or else
where on our coast not more than hour and half
time apart from each other than hour from
head quarters at Wilmington To each of these reg
ments there ought to be attached at least three s
FOUNDER brass field pieces with the necessary horses
men, The arrangements about vdetes and all that sor
of thing purely military Them we leave to proteS
sional gentlemen who are more than competent. Fo
the present. and we should be happy if for pei
It INFANCY Col. Tew is in command of coast defer
ces. Public opinion says that this is good appointment
IS and for once at least endorse public opinion. Blu
It it is more than probable that Col. Tew will have
leave us in a few days. before be has had chance
get warm in his seat-to have studied the topograph
r OF our coast to have provided for its defence
General Holmes was ordered here, as Inspector Gen
d raj Whiting had been previously. They were both o.
dered of, probably to more important fields of oper
ton, and Col Tew will, doubt, follow them to VII
70 ginia General Holmes requested suggestions frol
e those better acquainted with the topography of ii
country than himself. We make these suggestions,
not in direct to his request, certainly in acco
= dance with the spirit that prompted it.
y. Daily Journal, 10th inst.