Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-02-22
Rnrninr nhr rorns.'

a correspondent at Hillsboro' sends US the two
following notes for publication, upon!a subject Of no
small importance We do mot undertake. To say
what our people should do in all cases. but thsrs is
much force in the views Of our correspondent and
we incline to the opinion, that the destruction Of
Southern property by ourselves ought to be confined
to that species alone which the enemy might use or
remove to his advantage. War jnstifes resort TO
any and to al measures usually resorted to by civ.
ilized nations to possess distress the enemy but
the burning of our towns. which be cannot or will
not make permanent residence Of really distresses
and Injuries ourselves more than it ever can our
enemy. Our correspondent says:
"a The inhabitants Of Elizabeth City putting the
torch to their dwellings meets with so general ap-
probation, that it seems likely it may be adopted as
aprinciple of action required by patriotism in all
similar emergencies. The policy and propriety of
the act are questionable. There may be exception
al cases. War itself is an act of violenoe-an
appeal from law to force. of course its laws are
not very well settled. With view, therefore, of
eliciting light and determining what is best to be
done with our cities, when circumstanced as Eliza
beth City, I'raise the following difficulties: =
j. Does not the burning of their homes, under
the circumstances mentioned above do their owners
more harm than to the enemyl Since enough
houses almost always escape to afford the latter
comfortable quarters certainly they are sufficient
if they are eked out by the tents and huts which
they can easily erect Again, as we do not antci-
pate that the enemy will remain long in any of
towns which they may take their houses will be
needed by the returning fugitives, and if they have
previously to their flight fired them they will be pre-
vented from returning, at least until their town is
rebuilt What then! They must be taken care
oil, that is, be burden to their friends. Thus it
ms IN hnrn ont Of and hnp,a
to do an injury to our friends.
2 DO We not wrong posterity by destroying,
under the influence of supposed necessity, per-
haps of resentment houses which ought to be trans
United to them?
8. Will not the owners of these burnt houses, or
their heirs hereafter prefer claims the Confeder
ate government for reimbursement ON the double
plea that they had been burnt on the ground of mil
itary necessity and that the government was bound
to protect and save the lives and property of its
citizens |?
The memorable case of the burning of Moscow,
during Napoleons invasion of Russia in 1872, is
cited as precedent and sublime exhibition Of pa
triotism; but Moscow was the-rehgious capital the
centre of vast extent Of country, the military key
OF the Empire, of great strategical Importance the
destination of Napoleon's vast host, where he in
tended to go into winter quarters. 1t therefore be-
came apparent to the military councils of Russia
that if they deprived him OF that shelter, his army
rigorous cline; accordingly, the Governor ordered
the torch to be put to the city. When we have q
city thus circumstanced let us initiate their exam
pie; but it is very doubtful whether we can have
one thus taken, and at the same time be the pivot
on which the safety or destruction of whole coun-
try turns" Ok -.-
February Is, 1862.
In his second note he says:
"On the 18th instant | suggested certain objec-
tons TO the policy which seems to be gaining favor
of burning cities and towns about to fall into the
hands of the enemy. Let me be understood. My
objections do not lie against the act of burning when
determined on by military council military
necessity But am so we'll satisfied that the pop
ular feeling in favor of these voluntary conhagra-
tons Gas shown in the burning of Elizabeth City
and the reported attempted burning of Edenton) is
wrong that must request you to append this note
to the communication above referred to. To many
undecided minds it will be sufficient to intimate this
momentouS objection, that such acts seldom be
unanimous; consequently bone of contention will
be thrown into midst that may greatly divide
and weaken Indeed it is reported that this ac-
tually happened in Elizabeth City-one party ex-
tinguishng the fires which he others had put to
their dwellings. Be this as it may, the alternative
will be frequently presented during this war, and
this and the communication referred to are written
to elicit light on the subject"
HlSboTo, Feb. II, 1852.