The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-31
The Revolution and Its Present Aspects
Is II Peace or War:

II
Is II Peace War:
The eyentful year which was ushered in at
Washington in the midst Of an alarming sec
tonal struggle for the Speaker of the House Of
Representatives closes with this day, in the
midst Of q great political revolution. The is
sues ut stake involve the vast alternative of the
reorganization of the Union. or the revolution
airy separation Of the States composing ii into
two, three or half dozen independent and
belligerent natonslitics.
The events TRANSPORTING at Washington and at
Charleston within the last iorty-eight hours
| furnish very little encouragement in behalf Of
| the restoration OF the Union, or the mainte-
! nance of peace. The question, in truth, has
| almost ceased to be Union or disunion. 50
| closely has il approached the direct and fear
| ful issue OF peace or war. One day brings us
the startling news from Charleston that the
troops Of South Carolina occupy all the federal
fortresses there except one, and that the stars
and stripes have been superseded by the Pal
| metto flag over the Custom House and Post
Office. Our next day advices from the same
quarter inform us that a United States revenue
cutter has been seized By the local authorities;
that the officer in charge Of the ship, native
of Charleston, has resigned; that the cap
tain OF the African SLAYER, the Bonita.
which had been carried into said
port, had escaped from the clutches of the
law, in the rescue Of the prisoner by q mob;
that ''every hour complexities affairs in Charles
| ton more and more/ and that .'the people Of
the city seem determined to precipitate an issue
| with the general government"-t issue Of an
| appeal to arms.
These events and manifestations in Charles
ton, within the brief period Of forty-eght hours,
are in themselves sufficiently gloomy and dis
printing: but taken in connection with cotempo-
raneous events in Washington, we arspuzzled to
determine whether we are just on the verge OF a
civil conflict of lead, iron and steel, or whether
we have not already passed beyond the boun-
daries Of peace. We learn from Washington.
in connection with the events detailed, that the
Cabinet Saturday evening". shave just ad-
journed, after prOtracted session of six hours'
that the affairs at Charleston have been under
consideration; that Secretary Floyd stated to
the President, in writing, that unless Major An
derson was Withdrawn from Fort Sumpter, he
(F1oyd) could not remain in the Cabinet that
Secretaries Thompson and Thomas Treasury
were inclined to the same view; and that sthe
President has determined after full deliberation,
not to withdraw Major Anderson, and that Mr..
Tloyd's resignation was therefore accepted"
II further appears that this sine qua non
upon which the Secretary Of War has abau-
doned his post was the ultimatum
Of the three South Carolina treaty commission
ers to wit: the withdrawal of all the federal
forces from the Charleston forts; or, in other
words, their absolute surrender to the assumed
sovereign national authorities of South Caro-
lima The President, it is reported, was willing
to restore the status quo, besides disclaiming
Major Anderson's course, but would not con-
cede the demand to withdraw all the forces-of
course not. Such a concession involved, TO
some extent. the delicate matter of recognizing
South Carolina as an independent Power.
Thus, then, We presume the matts stands
Mr.. Floyd having resigned, Major Anderson FOR
the present will remain undisturbed by any in
structions reversing his late strategical move
ment But what next! The President has been
preparing special message, which, II Is under
stood, will be communicated to ConGress today,
se.,i..e N,ssn All the facts connected with these
revolutionary events transpiring u Charleston,
and also the facts in regard to those three en-
voys extraordinary from South Carolina, In
order that Congress may proceed to such ac-
ton in the premises as may be deemed essen
tial and expedient for the general welfare.
This day, then, in Congress-the last day
Of M prohabty IL thn turn;pr
point Of this great crisis in our national
history for Union or disunion peace or war.
; The Presidents message will bring upon the
carpet all the difncult questions involved in
this revolutionary right Of secession, as as
sumed and acted upon by South Carolina.
She viii have her advocates in both houses,
pleading the plea that this Union Is volun-
tary copartnership Of States, tbas the sovereign
ty of each individual State is paramount within
its borders, and that in Withdrawing from the
Union State Is reinvested with those excep-
tional powers OF supreme authority conceded
to the general government while in the Union
Upon this plea il win be contended that South
Carolina, in her acts Of secession, Is released
from all federal obligations, excepting her OBJ
legations connected as a copartner with the
public debt OF the general government which
may be settled by the cession Of her interest a.
a copartncr in the public domain OF the United
States.
On the otlrr hand, IL will be contended that
South Carolina stands in the attitude Of rebel
lion against the constitutional authority OF the
general government; that Il is the duty Of the
federal executive chief TO execute the laws of
the United States; that 1t Is the duty OF Con-
srcss TO strengthen his hands in the enforcement
Of the laws; that oil these South Carolina
paper ordinances and proclamations Of seces-
sion and separate nationality are null and
void, being in conflict with the letter and the
spirit Of the constitution; and that the warlike