Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-11-09
Calling ont the militia,

trictism on the part of our people, their ready and
efficient cooperation with the military authorities,
and the most prompt and energetic movements on
the part OF our officers in securing the best possible
defence Of our seacoast and inland towns. Since the
appointment of Gems Anderson and Hill to the i'm
mediate supervision of coast they have display.
ed unwoned energy in their preparations, which has
inspired our Eastern people with sense of security
which they had not felt before; and we are glad to
say, with some slight exceptions, our people have
rallied calamity to their aid. No one can truthfuly
charge either of them with inertness or ineciency
And so far informed the authorities of the
State and of the Confederate States have seconded
their movements. If they have not we have not
heard of it ....
To make our coast still more secure against sue
cessful invasion, it that Gov. Clark has au-
thorzed them through G IN. Gatlin the commander
of all the Confederate forces in the State TO call out
the militia of the lower Counties at such times and
IN such numbers as they might deem advisable in
an emergency. Under the apprehension that the
great Naval expedition of Lincoln was designed to
operate against our coast-an opinion in which we
did not cOncur-Gen. Anderson last week called out
the militia of Brunswick and New Hanover Coun-
ties to rendezvous at Smthville and Wilmington,
and Gen. Hill called out the militia of Currituck,
Camden, Pasquotank, Perquimans Chowan, BERTHE,
Martin, Washington, Tyrrell, Hyde, Beaufort, Cra-
ven, Carteret Lemon and Jones, to rendezvous at
Carolina City, Newbern, Washington, Hyde Coun-
ty, and Roanoke Island
We do not doubt that these gentlemen were fully
convinced of the proprety and the necessity of the
call, and we concede to them much ripper judgment
and far more skill in military matters than we pre-
tend to claim nor 10 we attach an iots of blame to
them, being assured that they acted from the high
est motives believing it to be military necessity
Yet we forced by our own convictions of what
is right and best to differ with them as to the Wis
dom or utility of the measure We conceive it to
be doubtful policy at any time, for the Governor
or any one acting under ais authority to call out
the entire militia of any County in North Carolina
and rendezvous then, at points distant from their
Oson homes and fresdes The hazard is immense, and
should never be incurred but under the most urgent
and imperious necessity. Had the Naval expedition
actually attacked coast, it may have been wise
but doubt it, in that case; but as the feet
has passed by and what the storm has left of 1t will
doubtless attack Port Royal some point south of
US, We hope those excellent officers will forthwith
countermand the order and return them to their own
homes Immediately. The Wilmington Journal says
that the people of New Hanover and Brunswick have
turned out almost at the call of Gen. An
derson. We rejoice at this. 1t shows the patriot
ism of our people and their ready obedience to law
and authority. We hope all the Counties will mani
fest the patriotic spirit
| Our readers are aware that have time and
again urged authorities months ago, to re.or-
ganize the militia of the State and require them to
drill in companies near their own homes at least
once lceek We have shown that the necessity for
that course was urgent We felt that coast
| would be attacked; not that expected the pre-
sent large Naval expedition to do so, but may
expect to be harrassed on coast all winter at in
tervals. With the regular force We have on or con-
| tiguous to the coast and with militia drilled at
home from lchOm drafts for short time might be
made at once 10 meet an emergency, we can at mo-
ments warning be prepai ed to resist any force that
might come. But the idea of calling out the entire
| militia of all Counties bordering the coast at
once to leave their homes and crops ungathered,
surely never entered our head Ard why?
| First, because such call mus; be exceedingly
damaging TO the health of our people. Summoned
| from home without preparation to points where no
provision has been made tents, camp equipage &c,
for so large number such exposure and discomfort
even for few days must place three ourhS Of them
upon the sick list and render them unable for SER
| vice.
| Secondly, because of their ineficiency when thus
summoned. Undred and unprovided with suita-
be arms as many of them must be at short call,
and many Of them without officers Of experience,
they could only contribute to demoralize and ham,
| per those who might be efficient.
Thirdly, because it is heavy burden imposed
partially Why should the entire militia of those
Counties most exposed be called away,from home
at time when most needed, and those of the COun-
ties of Columbus, Bladen, Robson, SAMPSON Dup
| lin Onslow, Wayne, Pitt Wilson, Edgecombe, Hall
fax, Northampton, HEREFORD and indeed any of the
Counties in the Eastern and middle portions of the
State be exempt? Are not all alike interested in re-
sisting the invader? Should we not make common
cause with all and each section Of the State? Ger
| tanly.
But fourtkly, and though last, not least because
of the defenceless condition of the population of the
Counties thus decimaled of their entire militia
| This is a most serious consideration. The present
militia law requires duty of all white males between
the ages of Is and 80 years. Who left to protect
| the defenceless women and children, with serve
population in their midst ready to be the dupes of
wicked and vile men? We are not alarmists. We
believe that our servle population, untampered with
and let alone, may be generally relied on. But is
| il safe when we are at war with demon like foe,
whose expeditions to the South have acarte blanche
| r 20 dalnda ctpal and ARA
that part of our population against our deenceless
families to denude any County of all its defenders
| We say, mol no!