The Northern papers bowl over the fact that the authorities of the Southern States have generally taken possession of the forts and arsenals within their borders. If the South took possession of a little share of the general fund the share within her own borders, the abolitionists have all within their borders, and they have grabbed the navy too. We ought to have our share of that. Southern products form the basis of American commerce, American commerce pays all the duties to the Federal Government. Out of these duties have been built the Navy, the Capitol, Fortress Monroe, Fort Pickens, Brooklyn Navy Yard, yea and Gosport too, which the Vandals destroyed. We want half the public buildings, half the regular army, half the navy, half the public lands, and half of sundry other things. It is hard to be blockaded by a confounded Yankee ship that you more than half paid for.
Wilmington Journal, Wilmington, NC