Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-08-07

AN IMPERATIVE DUTY-The Southern Government
with audabe moderation and humanity, have hitherto
absained from any departure from the laws OF civilized
warfare towards an enemy whose mode Of c0nduc.
ting the would have justified that departure But
the question which is now imposed opon it, and which
it cannot evade is to ch0oce between the subjects Of its
humanity-to decide whether it will be humane to its
enemies and iphaman to its friends the reverse Be
tween friends and enemies this choice must at once be
made. Our privateersmen confined in lOatbsome
cells the gallant Zarvona immured n dungeon, from
which even the light OF Heaven is excluded peaceful
private citizens arrested and thrown into bases whilst
others absolutely held as hostages and threatened
with death in case our patriotic guerrilas kill any an
kee marauders; Mumford dies by the halter in n. Or
leans, simply for lowering the detesed emblem Of de5pot
ism from flagstaff in that city; Pope issues orders
10 Virginia which would disgrace tie latitude of St.
Petersburg anda general armng, wherever praciica-
ble of the slaves is resolved up0nand yet treat,
with all knighty courtesies with chivalric generosity
and graceful bows this ravenDg beast this mad dog,
rushing at Us for our destruction
TO permit without retaliation, such unheard Of deeds
is simply to become pariceps cranatas and to share
with the Lincoln despOtigm all the responsibility of its
nhumany, aggravated thousand fod by the fact that
that nhumaniy, in exercised towards friends
who suffering and dying behalf. Such things
can no longer be- The Government must choose be-
tween legal and formal retaliation, the soldiers and
people will take this matter in their own hands, and
hang upon every, tree inpale upon every bayonef
the monsters who practising with impunity upon
our people such eno nous crimes. Richmond D'sp.
SOLDIERS LETTERs-A correspondent OF the Rich
mOnd (Va Enquirer Suggests an excellent method for
securing the prompt assortment and delivery OF soldiers
letters. His plan is to turn over the Army Post or
flee to the fair daughters of Richmond" We have 10
doubt that if suitable obtained, in the vi,
cinty Of the Post Office, and the services Of half a
dozen young ladies obtained, all the letters direct to
brave troops would be promptly and regularly as
sorted. We commend tie suggestion 20 the favorable
consideration of the Postmaster General.
| Another thing should be done. The postmasters
throughout the country should be instructed TO mail the
army letters in separate packages Under the present
system letters for soldiers and civilians are sent together
in the same packages and thus the labor Of assortment
doubled and the delivery of letters delayed If soldiers
letters were sent as indicated they could be turned
promptly to the clerks in the army office, giving the
clerks in the Office proper and ample time 10 assort the
general mail. l.-Richmond Wing, July 26
ONE OF THE PRISONERS IN WAsH1NGroH-AmoDg
the few men of the North who have maintained their
devotion to principle and their fidelity 10 the cause OF
truth ard Justice deserve to be remembered more
gratefully than 1t. 81 Grnnell of the celebrated
Moses Grinne of New York. the protector OF the Kane
Arctic expedition in search of Sir John Franklin.
When the present National troubles commenced, young
Grinne was travelling in Europe with a devoted wife,
whom he had but lately welded. On learning of Lin
coins proclamation for 10000 to crush the rebel
lion he Immediately sailed from Liverpool for New Or
leans where he raised company of volunteers which
was afterwards attached to Wheats battalion. Disrust
ing his military capacity to do justice to the CON-
pany its commandant, be gracefully yielded the cap
taincy to another whose name he suggested and accept
ed the position of first lieutenant. In this position he
served until wounded and taken prisoner at Front Roy
al in the latter part of May last He is now prisoner
in Washington, in the old Capitol prison. His VIE s
is in this city minstering to the wants OF the sick and
wounded in our bospitals-Rleh. D,sPatoh.
/ Special Dispatch to the Mobile Tribune