| From the Wilmington Journal |
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| June 4, 1863 |
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| We notice that several of the
papers of this State have expressed themselves opposed to the guarding
of Railroad bridges by the militia of the State. We have used the word
"guarding," but perhaps "watching," would be the more proper term. We
have said nothing previously, although we must say that we fully
concurred with those who thought the calling out of the militia for that
purpose, and in the way it is done, a strange procedure. The railroads,
although some of them are wholly, and others are in part private
property, are also great public lines of communication essential to the
prosecution of the war and the safety of our armies, and as such demand
and receive the attention of the authorities. When they are threatened,
they ought to be defended, and the militia, or any other force is
properly employed in their defence. But four men cannot defend a bridge
against any force. They are not guards. They are only watchmen, and as
such ought to be employed by the Company owning any road upon the line
of which any number of bridges occur, requiring the care of watchmen. It
is true, the matter so fr does not amount to any very great thing,
though we know that in some cases it has operated as a serious
grievance, and unquestionably will be felt so in many other cases. With
all due respect to the Governor's opinion, we have no hesitation in
expressing out own, that the matter had better be referred to the
managers of the railroads. If their self-interest does not induce them
to see that their roads are properly watched, we despair of their being
better watched by different squads of unpaid militia sent out and
changed every few days. The expense would be no great thing -- certainly
would not be felt by the roads. |
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