The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1862-03-19
Burning Of Cities, Towns and Villages.


The New Orleans Bee very properly condemns TINS
proect-more savage than vandalism itself and says
the Delta has published some just and forcble obser
vations touching the mooted policy Of destroying our
cities in order to prevent their occupation by the enc
my. A great deal of crude and undigested stun mas
been written and spoken in reference to this SUBJECT
and it is evident that many who press their OPINIONS 90
80 without having previously taken the trouble 10 eX
anime them. There is sort of vague idea ahoat that
we should inct terrible suffering upon the ederals by
burning those cities and towns which he is preparing
to capture This notion is founded on the solitary and
exceptional fact Of the eonfagraton Of Moscow, under
stances altogether different from any that can
present themselves in our country Moscow was gwen
to the flames because had been selected as the win
ter quarters Of NapoIeon's grand army; because its
destruction left that immense host without shelter at
the commencement Of the terrible frosts of Russian
winter, and thus secured their gradual demolition
When Moscow was burnt the French had no place to
fall back upon, but forced to turn their faces
homcward and to begin retreat the horrors OF which
are without parallel in history. The immohtion of
Moscow was, therefore, of the profonndest wis
dom 1t overwhelmed the foe and preserved the Rus
sian empire from suhiugation
Not the slightest parallel could possibly exist be-
tween that memorable deed and any vandalism which
would doom to the flames a southern city town or vii
age We take it that in destroying our property we
do 50 as military necessity With the Delta we can
clearly understand why cotton and tobacco should be
burned sooner than suffer them to enrich deade5
enemies; seeing that under all circumstances we are
bound to lose those articles We conceive too the
expedency Of aresting the march Of the foe, at the
sacrifice Of bridges railroads, and other costly works
of art But is quite another thing when we discuss
the propriety of destroying city, town or village
In such cases we would be aording the most exquisite
pleasure to the yal.n1es We doing for them
what they would most ardeny desire, but dare not do
it themselves Fancy for a moment that the tederals
were approaching New Orleans, and that the people
stricken with stupendous foy and Judicial blindness
should FIRE orr magnificent city in hundred places, so
"a to ensure its inevitable reduction to ashes Who
would be the sufferers by such wicked and atrocious
deed? Not the federals. They would be euraptured
They would Immediately make known to their symPa-
tbing brethren Of the north that the nest Of pestent
saces-ionists in New Orleans had been completely an
initiated that the IDIOTS Ind been crazy enough utter
" to ruin and demosh by fire ninety millions Of prop
ertv This great commercial mart lad IN runs. New
York, Boston aud Philadelphia hencetorth without a
rival 4 mighty metropolis consigned to desolaton,
not to be rebuilt per adventure in an entire generation!
Could we possibly perform an act better calculated to
agonisc our friends and rejoice cur foes!
Again: Suppose New Orleans destroyed. VIII the
Hectors and hot-heads who fippautly pirate Of the
possibility Of this contamination tell where its vast
population its tender women and helpless children are
to be shctered2 What city il there within reasonable
distance that could receive them? Would they be
snatched from the flames to be surrendered to more
lingering death ~ famine and exposure? But it i
needless to dwell upon an event which in all human
probability aiI never occur. Any persons attempting
50 dagitous crime as the destruction by fire Of New
Orleans would be regarded the worst Of public enc
mics and would beshot down orsrung upto the near
est amppost with little compuncrion as might be
felt at the killing Of a mad d0g