Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1872-06-14
Governor Caldwell and the ArUatn&
0TEoInwNs1 TroOnm.

of COlOred Troops.
The commissioning and arming OF .
company of colored troops, in this city, by
Governor CALDWELL, is exciting attention
within and without the State. s-
If there were no other reason for the
veiy general feeling in regard TO tins
matter. the recent murder of Colonel
FRANK Nj. WIsHART would be a sufti-
cient one.
Colonel WISHART was a prominent and
useful citizen, and possessed all the virtues
that adorn men in their relations inprivate
life. A tried and proved soldier upon
many hard-fought battlefield, he has es-
tablished a reputation for indomitable cour-
age, undisturbed self-possession, and imper-
turbable GOODNESS. Ever careful and watch
ful of the interest and comfort of his men,
and prompt, skillful, brave and efficient In
the discharge of every duty, whether in
camp or field, in bivouac or in battle,he was
a favorite alike with those whom he COM
manded ard those whom he obeyed. He
was no ordinary man.
The same qualities that made him good
soldier in war, made WIsHART good citi-
zen in peace. He was living in commu-
nity that had known him from b0yhood,
surrounded by comrades who had fought
with him, and under him and over him.
His worth and his excellence, as citizen
and soldier, were well and widely known
It il not surprising, then, that the cold
blooded, deliberate murder of such mar
should attract attention to all the circum
stances connected Herewith. People natu
rally recall the fact that his murder is only
the latest of a continued series of muir
/ ders committed by the same known band O
! outlaws that the Chief Magistrate of the
/ State has declared persistently his want o
authority to organize the military power O.
! the county to put down these men openly
! setting its laws at defiance. 1t would bt
! strange if men who knew and loved WISH
/ ART as a citizen, and who were bound tC
/ him by all those ties that link together meI
who have fought and marched side by side
! for years, should be indignant that, ere bis
| blood was dry upon the ground, CALD
/ WE'LL, who avowcd himself to be without
! authority to organize militia i'll Robson
where there was need for them, should
commission a company of colored troops II
I the city of Wilmington, where there was
no need for them. The blood of WIsHAK1
/ cries to Heaven for vengeance and for pud'
ishment upon his murderers.
Who is responsible for his murder? Let
Governor CALDWELL ponder we'll what
his answer will be at the great day of
Judgment when called upon to account for
his refusal to use the means in his power
to extirpate the outlaws ere they assassi-
mated the gallant WIsHART!
But it is asserted in behalf of the Gov
crnor, that he had full legal authority to
issue the arms, but that he has no authori-
ty to organize and call into active service
the militia Of the State"
If there be any law that authorizes the
Governor to commission i company and
to issue arms, but which fol bids him to or
game the militia, we will be glad to have
it pointed out. Governor CALDWELL
seeks TO throw the responsibility upon the
Legislature, and says he has been stripped
of power. It is time for him to come tC
the book. Let him show, if he can, any
Law that takes away from the Governor O.
the State n single power over the niliti
that ms predecessors before the war pos
Scsscd. If there be such a law it is upOl
the Statute Book. Let it be produced.