The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-05-03
FORT PILLOW.

As might have been expected, the capture OF
Fort Pillow by the Contederates with It's attendant
train of retributive Deeds has sent howl OF holy
horror through the North From President Lin
coin down to his 7eriest mlnlon, there is a burst
of virtuous wrath over OF those events 'ot war
which has prematurey swept into the hell that
was awaiting them horde of uncompromsed and
uncompromsing miscegenarors. We are glad that
the act has occurred and only sorry that, for the
FIRST time in three years of ruthless carnage, our
enemies have been made to feel the terrible earn
estness with which our people have been carrying
on the struggle. One would suppose from this
development of Yankee passion that we alone
are to blame for all the outrages which have blot
ted the page of American history during this cycle
of bloodshed But the impartial observer will
discover, that when the Federal authorities sat
calmly down before the city of Charleston, and,
with Greek fire. attempted to destroy its people !;
when Yankee raids on Richmond had for tLeir OBJ
iect the sacking of that city and the murder OF
our President; when civilians and soldiers through
out the length and breadth of the land are seized
and hung to the nearest tree; when negroes are
melted to every act of brutality conceivable by
hearts stepped in crime; and WREN rapine and
slaughter are stalking hand in hand-we repeat
that when the impartial observer recalls these
atrocities he will discover that the Federals them
selves are responsible for all the retributon visited
upon their heads and for this our final adoption
of plan of warfare, which means speedy death
to all invaders.
Gen Forrest, however, has not overstepped the
boundaries of military rule. Twice he summoned
the officer commanding Fort Pillow to surrender;
twice the summons were refused; then making the
assault over the bodies of his own brave men, he
seized that which was not voluntarily yielded be-
fore, and visited righteous punishment on the mis-
creants who, while behind their breastworks, we're
but too ready TO kill, and when conquered were but
too glad to surrender. But the acts need no apol-
ogy. 1t stands applauded by the whole country.
We fighting hghwaymen, burglars, criminals,
who, having broken into our fair home, would
brain every man, woman and child to accomplish
what remains of their desperate task. In other
words, they have invaded our land, blockaded our
ports, starved people, occupied our cities, in
loathsome dungeons imprisoned our sons and
daughters, pillaged, burnt and ravished, violated
every rule of legitimate warfare, and carried their
deviltries far as devils dare Nature, PRECEDENT
and example suggest what should do in retail
+ iaton; but, unfortunately, the laws of modern
have been too tenderly regarded by authorities,
while ignored by our foes; and not until Gen. For
rest dared to take swift handed justice his
ty blade have the enemy been made to feel the
deadly animus which underlies every loyal heart
in this C"ntederacy. We hope the lesson may be
repeated, and that this closing year Of the revolu
tion may witness succession of just such victo
ries and just such shouts of horror ringing
through the North at the present monent-IoI-
umbia Cur0linian.