Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1861-02-13

new Conc'lcracy and L.
mcnt = and who "must Mi, -....". J'"r
(ourl fortunes; suffering with YOU (us) the
evil! OF war, if it cannut be avoided, and en-
loving the blessings Ut peace, if it can be pre-.
:e:ved.''
The reply of the President to the prnp,s'.
ton thus made, referring t. the statement of
the intentions with which Fort Sum'eris held,
u, derived from his "pui'lic MESSAGES con
celes that his purpose rs stated, that IS, to
hold Fort Sumter merely as property ot the
Cnitel S;ates,;' which he deems it his duty
10 psotec, and preserve" is cnrrect. lls de.
Cares it to be his sole object to net strictly on
the defensive, and 10 "aulhurize no movement
against the people Of South Carolina, unless
clearly n,liti~i BY hottie movement on
their ptrt.' The President then, Iur proof OF
his desire TO prevent the ell'lSion Of blood
alludeS to his lurhearanrc TO resort to "ihe
use of force under the strong provnca;ion o'
an attack ON n, unarncd vessel brarlng t;le
Tia, If the United Stutes.'
Referring next to tie anxious. desire Of the
Senators Of the secediuS State., that this
s ate "shouhl aI far as she can, Guns silently
with her honor, avoid initiating hostlties be.
tween her and the United States OF any other
Power" the President declares "that 10 init.
ate such hostiities against Fort Sam:er, wont!
bryumd question, be IN act of war against th.
United States" And in reply othe pr.,po i.inn
that mo rrini.r2e:nants will b. sent ID Fo::
Sumter" which is stated in his letter to BIZ
your propositions he declares, it is Impossible
lor .nc (him) to give y"u (;hs Senators any
such a ,surancr.' He states that she has NJ
authority to enter into such an arrangement,
. or understanding" and that it would be ga
manifest violation OF his duty to place himself
under engagements, that he would not per.
form this duty either for an indefinite or a
limite,l period" 1t is also added by him lh II
"at the present moment it is not deemed ne.
cessary to reinforce Major Anderson, because
he makes no such request, and feels quite Sc.
cure in his pasi'iun." But should his safety
require it, every effort will be made 10 supply
rein!orcemoTts.
The letter from the Senators 10 you, and
your reply to that letter, present q markeI
and agreeable contrast IL the letter ot the
Ircs:dent of the Uuited States. The Cover
nor appreciates the t cling which the letter q:
the President must have excited in the Scna-
tors to whom it was addressed, their lorbear.
ancc in the expression of their opinion fully
as to its character, and their generosity in still
continuing to entertain the hope that collision
may De avoided. until the States they repre-
sent may share the dangers that menace this
State. The Governor concurs also in the
Justice and force OF your reply to those Se':a-
tors. The reasons which you have set forth
in Your repy To tue letter uf tie Senator'S to
YOU conclu,iyrly establish the prupriely OF III |,
| demand which the lctter from the Governor is
intended tu make upon the President; whether
the Possession Of Fort Sumter be considered
merely i'll regard to its preservation as pi G
of property claimed by the uuted States, Or
the continuance oil its retention be referred to
a conclusion derived from the obligations
which "high Christian and moral duty would
make imperative, if they were appealed TO- rs
they sh ulL be, in this case, rs the sole and
proper guides for those whose conduct involves
III, graYest responsibilities.
The acquesence Of the President of the
United States in the arrangement or under
stanling" by which we would be prevented
from sending renforcements 10 Fort Sumter
was intended, and SO declared by the Senators
of the seeding States to be binding Upon
him, in case of the acquiescence Of this State
in certain measures which they proposed this
State should adopt. With the concession
from the State of South Carolina they evi
IDENTITY expected concession from the Presi
dent of the United States. And they pro
nosed that in the interval which was necessa
rwr re- to enable you to receive a reply from the
Governor. the Pre,idcnt should not send rein
fnrcelnents to Fort Sumter; and that certain
facilities now enjoyed by Major Anderson ant
his garrison al Fort Sumter should be con