Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-12-29

The IafslIixsaesr upon the same text inquiries
..whst 10 the government coming to; or rather
what has Il come ton -rsr
The Rsprbliesn thinks some satisfactory ar |
rangement may result from the Border State |
caucus last night. l'Jt
The FoRrIFIcATIoNs IN CHARLESTON HARBoR,
&c-As the city and Notifications Of Charleston |
and harbor are occupying very prominent posi- |
ton In the public mind just now, and as great
deal has been said and written regarding the
value of these Notifications to the people Of
Charleston, Il might not be out Of place to give
them their true value In case Of collision with
the United States.
II Is quite apparent, by taking glance at the
chart Of Charleston harbor that II these forts were
actually in the hands Of the citizens Of South Car
o,,u. their only value would be to them to pro-
tpct the shipping In their own harbor, and no
further -Four United States ships could COM
pletely blockade the approaches without any aid
from the forts and Fort Moultrie at the entrance,
could not relieve that condition: no matter whether
I'm the hands Of South Carolina or the United
States, and no ship could enter or depart without
seizure
Isayery reliable and elaborate chart of this
barbor by the U. g. Coast Survey, 1t will be found
that there are four channels entering the harbor:
f.thoms water, running south six miles from the
entrance. "Swash'' channel, having from to
AZ fathoms, running southeast between three and
urmiles ssNorth'' channel runs half mile north
of Swash and parallel to 1t for two-and a-half
miles and with about the same depth Of water
And - Msfitt's" or " Sullivan's Island" channel,
which runs from two 70 three miles due east from
Fort Moultrie Now, taking range from that
fort or the entrance, with q radius Of four miles,
(which would be pretty safe distance for cruisers
20 ride which would pretty nearly cover the en-
trance 10 all these channels, with one ship OF war
on each Of those entrances, the whole four ships
could be made simultaneously servieeable to each
other, and 80 render the blockade impenetrable
by any force South Carolina could command, as
the extreme distance Of these ships from each
other could be efectually reduced to about four
miles, and still be safe nom the fire Of Fort Moul-
tris.
Now In that condition, these forts would be
of very little use to Charleston even il they were
aarrisoned complete. But how In Ii IL they
are In the possession Of the United States or
blockading power And we should like to
know how tie Charleston people could prevent
q reinforcement OF these forts IL IL true that
II the United States should wait until the South
Carolinians erect sea-coast batteries along the
margin Of the harbor they might annoy them
with their fire, but they would be no less ex-
posed to the fire from the ships IL 1t was deemed
necessary to do 80 to accomplish their object. A
few ships Of war could silence every one Of these
forts even were they In the hands Of the seces-
sionists, for the State troops in but poor con-
dition tosuecessfully manage the attack defense
Of any Of these forts when opposed by experience,
science and, above all, discipline. They might,
no doubt, be well posted with superior officers,
with pluck and ardor-an very serviceable ele-
ments-but are not Of much permanence in any
thing likely to be adverse or after a defeat
There 10 some talk Of erecting batteries along
the shores Of the harbor at suitable positions.
Now they cannot erect one battlement without
the permission Of the United States, for two or
three cruisers could prevent any construction that
would be Of any value to them, by driving the
men from the works, and should they succeed In
getting any guns mounted, IL IL quite doubtful
that they could be Of service twenty -four hours
aftef. For South Carolina to attempt to force
herself from the arms Of the United States
by . resort 20 arms, she would be as a child
in the hands Of a giant, and entirely at tn.
mercy Of the United States. IL she should oh
tain aid from the old powers Of Europe-viz
France or England-then she might hope te
have something like equality In the struggle, bu
10 10 quite doubtful whether any Of these govern
ments would venture TO aid her against the wish
Of their people, who are much more abolition In
feeling than any Of our Northern Republicans
and would have less sympathy for their institu
ton than any Of the Northern fellow-citizens
II II to be feared that South Carolina has been
imposed upon, eithe r by demagogues at home o.
by foreign impostors. One thing is certain: SD.
cannot take these forts, unless by permission o
the u 3. Government In order to capture then
when properly garrisoned, IL would require al
least three times the strength Of the fort itself
in means, skin, perseverance,, and endurance fol
IL Is q known fact that II requires all that amour
Of superiority Of elements, even with old and
well-disciplined troops. Remember New Orleans
and Sebastopol Of late date Now, South Caro-
lima 10 not by any means a well-trained milItar,
Power like any Of Europe or even the UniteC
States hence, In a conflict with her she would
be most likely to suffer reysrses In the field Ell
cept those victories which accident might fayo
her with and betray her into the belief that IA.
superiority secured the victory and lead her int.
impulsiye and disastrous operations, Nav Coz
preserve US from such!
TIE On DIR OF THE DAY, immediately arounS
N, IN that Secretaries Floyd, Thompson, ant
Thomas, all Of whom believe In the alleged con
stitutional right Of secession, IL will be remem
hered, have formally notified the President tina
they will resign their respective portfolios unles
he accedes 70 the demand Of the South Carolin,
Commissioners, that orders shall be issued 4,