Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-01-23
For the Journal.


MEssRs EDrroRs The past is often the best critic
ron by which to Judge OF the utuTe, and from the Pages
OF history we may sometimes learn the most valuable les
sons of wisdom I he teachings of experience doubtless
are the best that be applied to the practical busl
ness of men and nations 8ud indifference to the nsruc
ton to be derived from such may often beTay
US into calamitou5 if not fatal disaster. Guided then
bV the light impaired alike by the remote and
past permit me ask place in your columns for re-
ference to matter which, as conceive, vtally con
Germs the safety of Wilmington ] think l cannot be
in error in affirming that for months past The distinctly
expressed sentiment OF citizens has been in favor Of
adopting efficient for the obstruction Of
river and the entrances into our harbour 10 the event
OF an attack by the ENEMY 1t may be that something
has been done towards checking the progress of armed
vessels to our Town, but will any say that these
mDediments are ltquate to the end designed 1t is
true that have formidable batteries alike at Bar and
Inlet, and that brave gathered there who
prepared 10 meet the invader the threshold of our
waters But shall we rely these alone? lEatteras
and Port Royal have fallen before the guns OF invading
fleets and though we may have better batteries than
existed at those points, still their fall if it does de
monstate the inability Of our Notifications TO repe the
wc-appOinted navy Of Lincoln, is at least suggestive
Of the imminent peril incur in trusting to them alone
for protection. But | have adyerted to the moEitory
lessons which history teaches and turning its page
may fUd much to show he importance Of checking
the progress OF fleet that the guns OF fort may be
effectively used for the destruction Of the enemy.
make but single reference, and the case cited is given
account Of the almost prophetic warning which
companies it, In Ices Revolutionary Memoirs of the
Southern war. while commenting the fall Of Charles
ton, he remarks
with a fair wind on the 9th Of April, the British
Admiral weighed, with the determination to pass Fort
Moultrie This be readily accomplished notwithstand-
ing all the opposition which it possible for Colonel
Pinckney 10 make. Not ship was disabled, end only
twenty seven men killed ard wounded. A convincing
proof that unless The hostile feet is stopped by obstruc
in the channel difficult and tedious remove, the
fire Of forts and batteries never avail Experience
every where proves this and ought to influence gov
erumeD in their preparation Of water deiences Whenev
er they can be resOred to-"
Such is the language Of the historian in reference to
the disastrous fate Of sister city, aud shall it be un-
Needed in this our day Of danger, when our town s me-
naced by naval force which may work its demolition
Shall we sleep on IN seeming insensblity to our peril
from this quarter or adopt but inadequate to
guard against it until we walked to realization oil
Insecure condition by the thunder of the guns Of the
enemy? l have entire confidence in the patriotic
promptings which rule those who lave in charge our
various deencss and hesitate to question their Judgment
in military matters but respectfully submit that the
safety OF Wilmington demands energetic action in
the way eren indicated, than has yet been exhibited
trust therefore, that this matter will receive the aen
ton it deserves, satisfied | am, that if this protec
ton is given to US, it will not or impart to com
mdnity sense Of security not felt, but will com
pei invaders to leave that element on which alone
they superi07s, for different theatre Of &C
ton, where we can more advantageousy Y, and believe
successfully, contend with them ClVIS.