New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-12-27
PORT mOULTRIE.

MOultrie, aud even fsil TO capture II IRON tne
three score soldiers Mr.. Buchanan has there to
hold it for the United States or in any event.
we shall insist that great advance in courage
on the part of that gallant State has been proved
and likewise that her patriotism has suffered no
decline since the days of the Revolution. To adj
vance now upon the same fort from which hlth-
erto she has been accustomed to run, will be
proof of progress of which even 20 fleet state
as South Carolina may well be proud. II she
shall find hersef in possession OF those bastlons
II will not be the first time. Once South Caro-
lima had the keeping OF this very fortress, and, if
memories of the Revolutionary period are well
preserved there. she will know right well how to
get out If it. Somehow, whenever this State
finds herself in that fort, she does nothing but
keep lookout seawsrd, far some hostile fleet to
which she may surrender it and herself too. The
response of the British press to present expects-
tions of the same sort from the same quarter
Indicate that South Carolina will have to wait
longer now for the appearance of British
squadron than was necessary in l719. IL is .
curious coincidence that now, as then, Que Lin
coin is under orders to protect the COniederacy
against foreign foes and domestic traitors.
Humanity and Piety, in those phases which
frown upon war, might innOcentiy smile upon
South Carolina aud pronounce her boodess
surrender the best use to which tins or any fort
can be put; but not the Peace Society Itself can
be hoodwinked sufficiently not to see tlat the
exchange of spear for a revolver of sword
for bowie-knife, is in direction contrary to
the benign spirit which would have turned them
into powsharcs and pruning hooks--nOt forbddlng
cotton.hooks. Society gains nothing, but loses
much. when the aims of the soldier, 10 be seen
and regarded by all men, are ostentatiOusly laid
aside, and the armory OF private vengeance l.
drawn upon for weapons which, worn concealed.
may be used without warning. War and Muir
der, however much alike they may be in certain
physical manifestations, are morally opposed to
each other and il is a curious fact that no people
has ever been prone to the one who did not
sschew the other. Countries prolific in Braves
are generally barren OF Soldiers. If Garibald
could only get its population into the line, not
a stietto would b. for hire in all Venice.
warke people abhOr private yengeance-s cruel
which is always q cOwardly one, is slow to spill
blood in any other way.
1t is greatly to be feared that the Quakerism Of
South Carolina in respect of war, has no iOunda-
ton in the principles of that peaceful aud con-
scentious sect Too many duels, street-hehts,
and demonstrations of various sorts; too many
cyations to ruiFiansm of a mugderous alm and
character, attest that aversion to shed the blood
OF a feIlow-crcature has nothing to do with this
idiOsvncracy Of South Carolina. I'm the other
hand. the history of this fortress goes fer to sug
gest that it il only the shedding Of blood for
particular cause and in a particular mode that
this remarkable State eschews. When she held
Fort MOultrie before, no power or persuasion,
not even the tears OF sons ~ whom she was not
worthy could bring her TO the point of defend
ing it against the enemies Of the common ccun-
tr,; and il il not unlikely that the sixty now there
might grow gray IN quiet security, IL thy did
not happen L. W. american citizens, enrolled and
uniformed for the defense OF the Union "f these
States.
While as STATE, South Carolina has never
been much else than what she is now--tLe
leeblest and the most turbulent, the most de-
pendent and the most boastfnl, the least faithful
and the most treasoD)OyiDg member Of the Union.
the territory escapes mrelieyed infsmy by the cir
cumstaDce that to . small number OF It's people,
tho cause Of American Independence owes per-
hsps AZ much ~ to any other equal number oi
men. Prominent among them is hs. whose gal
lsnt defense OF it in June I576. the Fort Itself
commemorate. BY bearing his naue; which it vii,
continue 70 bear until some capituiation, in
some other cOnfederacy shall best0~ upo3 1t that
Of some Rhett or Keitt that the name and menu
o,y of both Freedom and Moultrie may be will-
out n memorial in oil South Carolina. Ia l-02
Moultrie published two volumes Of - Memoirs Of
50 the American Revolution, far il related
- 70 the States of North and South Carolins. md
" Georgia &c" They show why South Caro-
lima and ne whole country should ne proud oi
him; and az clearly why be and the whole coUu-
try we're ashamed Of her.
When Provost appeared before Charleston. 10
May. l779, the Governor ard Council we're in
the town-fron present indications, il might
seeIn they are there still. Frightened As they
were tbcy had sense enough 10 appoint aculire
TO the commend Of the troops, but they we're
too lar gone % sustain BIN.
The Governor sy, Boaltel s.si 70 the A5gors
Of storm Hs told he ss.s's Engineer lCsl ss1ii Lid
represented him tie lines 10 - ~ very week .s.e As
..1e coy.rssicp he proposed 20 the sendus ont tai 10
snov what terms We could obtain hiul taorshs
could stand against the enemy thai did not think they could
i3c, the lines and that did ut choose TO send a,s u
name bu, be chose H. snd would call The Council together
would send shy They requested TO send The i).
lowing which delivered By NJ. Kiuoch
Moultn.. pece;gn4 from The motions q your army
the, your intention il to beege The town, would ne Raj 50