New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-12-15
CEN. CAss,s RESIGNATION.

GIN. CASS's RESIGNATION.
Tie resignation of Gen. Cass is certainly the
most signal rebuko that could be given to the
President for the imbecility and treachery which
have marked his policy in relation to the move
uents at the South. AS the Chief Magistrate OF
the nation, he surely has some duties to perform
at momentOus crisis like the present, aud he
is either treacherous to his oath in leaving them
uninterrupted, or be has sunk into the feebilsh
dOtaQe of an imbecile seniIty. The resignation
OF bis Prime Minister is an evidence that such
is the light in which he views the conduct OF
Mr. Buchanan. Dir. Cass, from age and temper
ameDt, is not man always ready for the
promptest and most vigorous action; his sympa-
thes as the world knows, have always been
with the South, and his tendencies have
always been to yield any Cancellation,
or compromises which the South, at any time,
has seen fit to demand. His withdrawal from
the Cabinet at this juncture, is most significant
fact, and shows not only that his own seltrespect
would permit him no longer to hold hulniliat.
ing position but that he is utterly hopeless of
any change for the better, and could SEQ no al
formative but to leave the hopeless old man in
the hands of those who are using him and his
Office to further their own reasonable purposes.
Dir. Secretary Cobb having fashioned the Presi-
cents Message to encourage the Secession move
nent of bis party at the South, goes home to
mature the plans which the tone of that Message
has helped to forward. He leaves Secretary
Floyd behind him to preserve the President
Al "a. nT ut ;rht
possibly prompt him to some feeble effort at duty.
Before three more suns have risen and set,
We know, as far as we can know of any event
in the future, that the State Of South Carolina
Will have resolved that sac is no longer o MEN,
Der Of the Federal Union. The probability of
this event has been as strong for four weeks
past as it is to-day. What steps has Mr.. Bu-
chanan taken to insure obedience to Federal
laws iii the port OF Charleston, a disregard aud
defiance of which, he was so long forewarned,
WIS almost inevitable Not one. Whether it
were wiser that South Carolina should be- per-
United to secede, il she is anxious and deter
mined to do 50, is not the question, nor Is it
one which MIR. Buchanan has right to enter
tain for a moment. AS the Chief Executive
officer OF the Government, he had o manifest
DUTY to perform in such al cxigency, and no has
not only lameDtably failed in its execution, but
he has thrown the whole weight Of his dorelic-
ton of duty-a very positive influence under
such circunistances--in the scale Of revolution,
but he has committed at least one overt act
which il something more than misprislon OF trea-
son. In Fort Moultrie there is, at this time,
q little garrison OF some four score men, q force
totally inadequate to its defense against any
serious attack. Such an attack, there can bc
little doubt, viii be made, and made because its
capture is comparatively easy, and because the
temptation, therefore, to such at attack is too
strong ~ bo resisted. That such would, in all
human probability, be the case in the event Of
secession was a tact as patent five weeks ago as
it is to-day; nor vas it disregarded at Washing
ton. Five weeks ago il would have been easy
to throw q reinforcement into the Fort almost
without notice, aud certainly at that time with
out resistance. Why was 1t not done Not
because it was not thought Of; but as we have
reason for asserting because it nas thought of,
und because the Secretary of War sent the
troops elsewhere where there was no occasion
for them. On this point we have the most con-
elusive evidence, in O etter to Gov. Gst Of South
Carolina from distinguished officer ut Washing
ton, and published where it was sure to have its
full effect, in Charleston paper. 1t is as fol-
lows:
WAsmis6ros Doc S, 1850.
DEAR sIs hive just had conversation with tho Secretary
OF waI lilo ssys may TO tho people Of south Caro-
ua there viii be sent to the FORTS at Charles
ton Ip rs,rgn bre aH be done and they lei things
alone, will"
The writer hopes the people Of the gallant
3" State" will not be disturbed by a" idle rumOrs"
-rumors of enforcing Fort houltrie. The
brave little band low shut up within that castle
will, We have no doubt, Withstand siege to the
last, and die at their posts. sufficient force
there would have prevented any attack from the
insurgents of Charleston, who will now rush
with inpetuOsity to overwhelm the little garrison
When the report OF that shocking event reaches
Us, let the country remember where rests the
responsibility.