The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-12-29
THE EVACUATION OF FORT MOULTRIE-
OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.


OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.
From the Washington Constitution.l
We believe that we are perfectly correct in stat
ing that this action the part of Major Ander-
son was taken solely on his own responsibility and
not in consequence of orders from the authorities
here. We have also reason to believe that il was
not occasioned by any threat of attack or hostile
action on the part OF the people or military in
Charleston, and that there no reason to anIici-
pate any change in their attitude in relation to the
Federal troops Under these circumstances we
must express our regret that Major Anderson should
have taken such a step without orders or appar-
ent necessity.
From The Philadelphia Ia7uirerI
At last, one active step has been taken towards
the preservation of the national property in
Charleston harbor and the protection of the brave
little garrison of Fort Mouitre Major Anderson
has evacuated that fort, spiked the cannon burned
the gun carriages, and taken the greater portion
of his command to Fort Sumter. There is 50 much
wisdom, energy, and military forecast in this
movement as to create the belief that it is mainly
the WORK of the brave old commander. .in-chief of
our armies, General Scott.
From he PhHadelpLia LedgcrI
And if the citizens of South Carolina are un,Yise
enough to take up arms against the rights of the
people of United States, they must be prepared for
the terrible consequences. The Government must
maintain its own lawful authority at all hazards.
From the Phi'odeIpLia Iacricaul
1t is the first step that has Significance and it will
be easily understood to mean that something besides
holiday work is to be done before the snake-en-
twlned palmetto supplants the flag of the Union in
southern seas.
From, tie Philadelphia PenasygraaiqaI
The probability, however, is, that Major Ander-
son would scarcely have assumed the responsibility
Of this important and critical movement without
the most distinct and explicit orders Whether he
did or not, the President will come in for the CEN
sure of the queruous fault-inding Black Republi-
cans, who are as prompt to condemn every move
ha IL. hon. s,ss.
applaud every movement of his elected successor,
however niudiciOus. We await further develop-
ments, but in perfect confidence that President Bu-
chanan has acted in the premises with strict regard
to the public interests and to his official duty.
From the Netg York TriG1nleI
Though it is pretty certain that Major Ander-
himself took the responsibility of ordering this
important movement to take place on Wednesday
night we are assured that he acted under the drec-
ton of Gen. Scott, and with the formal approval
of President Buchanan.
From the Nelg York Heralal
Had the course which Major Anderson ad0pted
been in obedience to the orders of the President it
would have brought the revolution in South Caro-
lima to a crisis, and that State would be compelled
either to reCede come to an INN ediate collision
with the federal government. AS the matter now
stands, collision is not inevitable and time ma v
be gained for the restoration of amiCabe relations
Our despatch says it will be next to impossible to
prevent collision and that an attack W i'll be made
on the forts by the excited people. Thus does the
! revolution advance with rapid strides. How or
! where it will end, Heaven only knows. Meantime
such is the situation of affairs, that it requires the
! prompt interpOsitOn Ofthe craftsmanship, the wis
dom and the patriotism of the country to avert the
horrible calamity Of civil war.
From The Cor ". T. Times
The proceedings of the House and Senate were
completely broken up by the news from Charleston,
and soon after its reception they adjourned.
During apersOnal interview with Gen. Scott,
this evening, he assured me that he has official
information from Charleston, but has received a
despatch from South Carolina stating that Ander
son had evacuated the fort, spiked the guns, and
burned the carriages and other property available
| to an enemy, and then retired to Fort Sumter
! This was done without Gen. Scott's knowledge or
advice. lie assures me that he shall call upon the
| President tomorrow and investigate the matter.
lie spoke OF Major Anderson an estimabe, brave,
discreet officer, and eXpressd trust that his orders
bore him out in his movements, although he knew
nothing OF the nature of the orders
TFron1 HE Nc1o York Times
The general opinion seems to be that Major An
derson has taken this step his own responsibility,
and without orders of any kind from Washington
If this should prove to be the case he will have
| already established for himself hold on the ad-
miration and affection of the country, which will
not easily be weakened or impaired. His move
ment awakens the courage and the hope of the
people, and relieves avery painful feeling of anxiety
as to the possible fate Of his command and Of the
American flag, in the position they held before. We
presume that it prompted by intelligence of an
intention the part of the Disunionsts to occupy
Fort Sumter the moment they should hear of the
failure OF their commission to Washington.
[From, the Ne1o York U0rdl
This evacuation of Fort Moultrie and the reno
val OF the main part of the garrison to Fort Sum-
ter, is no act of war.
Without the horrors of bIoodshed, greater ad-
vantages have been gained than would have been
possible five weeks hence by many days of hard
lighting and the shedding of much fratricidal
| blood. South Carolina is completely disabled in a
military point Of view, and may be safely left to
fume at her Sovereign" leisure.
WHITE GUNPowDER-A letter from London saws:
"I have heard in the city of curious invention,
which concerns alike sportsman, rileman, and the
scientific. 1t is the manufacture of white gun
powder. 1t is made no mystery of, being composed
of yellow potassa, chloride of potassium loaf sugar
crystalized sugar and birthstone. 1t possesses su-
perior qualities over the black powder being
quicker and more powerful in its action and not
tOuing the gun. For the delicate in the olfactorv
nerves, it may be added that it is without un-
pleasant SMELL 1t has just been patented"
LOST IN THE BUsH.-A few davs ago John Nor.
| rison and Thomas Daniels were hunting on the
} hills north of Milford Village, Me-, and not being
familiar with the country, were lost. Daniels left
Morrison, but could not again find him, and after
three days searching by the citizens, he was dis
covered lying on his back, his feet under him, the
gun his breast, tightly clasPed in his hand, with
terrible and fatal wound in his forehead. lie may
have shot himself to terminate ms sunerngs from
| hunger and cold.
| A Portland lady has in her possession a unique
| and beautiful copper medal, struck by the French
in honor of the American alliance during the Rev
| outiOn. 1t is abou: tyo inches in diameter, and
bears side fine bold head of Liberty, with
the staff and cap, and the ether Minerva inter
posing her shield to protect an infant representing
| America from the British lion. There are appro-
| pirate notices in Latin, and the dates of Bur-
goyne's and Corvallis surrenders.
BY statement recently published we are in
formed that the public debt of Illinois is Sl0-
los, 394. IA. This is to be decreased nearly mil
| lion of dollars on the 1st of January, from the
| proceeds of the two-mill tax,