Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-07-09
LTNCoLN'S WAR MESSAGE.

Fel0lg citizens of the Senate and House Of RepreSea-
tdtiUeS:-Haying been convened on an extraordinary
occasion as authorized by the Constitution, your at
tenton is not called to any ordinary subject of leg
islation At the beginning of the present presden>
tial term, four months ago, the functions of the fed
-eral government were found to be generally sus-
pended within the several States of South Carolina
Georgia. Alabama Mississippi Louisiana and Flor
ida excepting only those of the post Office depart
ment. Within these States the forts, arsenss docks
harbors custom houses and the like, including the
movable and stationary property in and about
them, had been seZSd and was held in open hostili
ty to the government, excepting only Forts Pckens,
Taylor, ana Jefferson, on and near the Florida coast,
and Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor, South Caro-
lima. The forts thus seizedh had been put in APPROX
ed condition new ones had been built, and armed
forces had been organized, and were organizing, all
avOwedly wi b the same hostile pu pose The forts
remaining in the possession of the federal govern
ment in and these States, either beseiged
or menaced by warlike preparations, and especially
Fort Sumpter was nearly surrounded by we'll pro-
t1cted hostile batteries, with guns equal in quality
to the best of its own and Outnumberiug the latter
as perhaps ten to one dIsproportienate share of
the federal muskets and rifles had somehow found
their way into these States, and had been seized to
be used against the government Accommodations
OF tine public revenue lying within them had
been seized for the same object. The navy was
scattered in distant seas, leaving but very
small part within the immediate use of the
government. The officers of the Federal army and
navy had resigned in great numbers and of those
resignng large proportion had taken up arms
against the government. simultaneously, aud in
connection with all these. purposes to sever the
Federal Unien were openly avoWed. In accordance
with this purpose, an ord nance had been adopted
in each of the Safes, declaring the States respec-
lively 10 be separated from the national Union. A
formula 4Or combining and institutiug combina-
ton of these States had been promulgated and this
illegal organization in the character of Confederate
STATES was already invoking recognition, aid and
Intervention from foreign powers. Finding this
condition of things, and believing it to be an I'M
perative duty upon the incoming executive to pre-
vert if possible the contamination of such attempts
to destroy the Federal Union, choice of means TO
that end became indispensable. This choice was
made and declared in the inaugural address in
March. The policy chosen looked to the exhaustion
of all peaceful measures before a resort to any
stronger ones. 1t sought only to hold the public
places and property not already Wrested from the
government, and collect the revenue, relying for
the rest on time, discussion and the ballOtbOx. 1t
prOmiseda continuance of the mails at government
expense to the very people who were resisting the
government, and 1t gave repeated pledges against
any disturbance any of the people or any OF their
rights of all that which president might consti-
tutionslly and justiilhly do in such case. Every
thing was tOFborne, without which 1t was believed
impossible 70 keep the government on foot. On the
9Th of March, the present ineumbents first full
day of office, letter of Major Anderson, com
mandIng at Fort Sumter, written on the 2Sth
of Fl bruary and received at the war department on
the 4th of March, was by that department placed
in my hands This letter expressed the profession
al opinion of the writer that reinforcements could
not he thrown that fort within the time for his
relief rendered necessary by the limited supply of
provisions, and with view of holding possession