Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-12-31

Inc country is ringing Win praises ol tue
brave and frue ofioa-,- no On Christmas
night removed his command at Charleston
from the untenable Fort Moultrie to the al
most impregnable Fort Sumter, thereby
greatly astonishing the fre-eaters, who had
INDUCED the belief that they would take him
and his force with "happy dispatch" A
mighty throb of relief and exultation went
through all the land, wherever a love Of the
Union abounds, at this coup de maiN5 and the
name of Maj. Anderson was from that mo-
ment famous
But on whose authority was this done?-
Had Maj. Anderson orders from the Presi-
dent or the War Department, to thus strength
en- his position and lessen the chances of at
tack 2 The Administration press, whose
natural manhood rejoiced in the deed, made
haste to give the praise to James Buchanan
as scheme ''of his patriotic heart" We,
too, should be glad to give him the praise, il
we believed him deserving of it, but no such
supposition can be entertained. To use the
eNnmenis of contemporary upon another oc-
casion, ''its patriotism gives US sabundantreason
to doubt its emanation" from that person
And now, to sustain this view, we copy be-
low, two paragraphs, each from high author
ity upon Administration. transactions the frs
being from the official org.n OF the Presi-
dent, and the second from his New York
supporter.
From the Washington Constitution.
awe believe that we are perfectly correct
in stating that this action on the part OF Ma
ior Anderson was taken solely on his own
responsibility, and not in consequence OF Or
ders from tie authorities here. We have
also reason to believe that it was not occa-
sioued by any threat of attack or hostile ac-
ton on the part OF the people or military in
Charleston, and that there was no reason tU
Anticipate any change in their attitude in re-
iatiOn to the Federal troops. Under these
circumstances we must express our regret
that Major Anderson should have taken such
step without orders or apparent necessity
From the n. Y. Herald
Till late hour last evening, it was be-
lieEed- here thai Major Anderson had acted
under the special instructions Of the Presi-
dent. But by an important dispatch we re-
ceived from Washington, dated eight o'clock,
we learned that Major Anderson not only
acted altogether on his own responsibility,
but contrary TO express orders, for which il
is possible be will be removed from command
If the station, as the citizens of Charleston
are greatly exasperated, and consider it an
act Of war unless disavowed by the Presi-
dent. It appears that Mr.. Buchanan, adher-
ing to the policy of his Messagl, directed the
commandant to act only on the defensive, and
not to remove tine garrison or take any steps
unless be was attacked.
If in accordance with the hints here thrown
out, Major Anderson is removed, or ordered
to evacuate, such a storm of righteous indig-
nation will arise from the great American
people, as to force Congress to arraign the
President for treason. And yet there is i'm
ninent danger that this will be done. The
President and the Southern Commissioners
have held long consultations, which is OF it
sell, evidence that he is conniving at treason.
The Commissioners demanded the withdrawal
of Anderson, which demand had not been
decided upon at our latest advices. Of one
thing, however, we are informed; that the
President utterly disclaimed having author
lied the conduct of Major Anderson in rela-
ton to the Charleston forts, and said Major
Anderson acted not only contrary to orders,
but in direct violation of them" Comment
upon this is unnecessary.