The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1861-05-09

r HNs' Et'1 fhc W Tic CCIUuldu-
der OF our forces at Charleston to ask and
receive fhe tructions OF this GOV ernmcnt.
Even then, under all the proyccaton incl
cent to the contemptuous refusal to listen
to our commissioners, aud the toituous
course OF the Government of the United
States, | was sincerely anxious to avoid the
cfiusion OF blood, and directed proposal to
be u!adc to the commander OF Fort Sumter,
who had avowed himself TO be nearly out
oil provisions, that we would abstain from
directing our fi.c ON Fort Sumter if he
would promise not to open fire OH our forces
unicss frst attacked. This proposal was
refused, and the conclusion was reached
that the dcsi2n III the United States was to
place the besicSing force at Charleston, be-
tween the siup,taneous fire of the feet and
the fort There remained, Therefore, no
Alternative 1ut to direct that the fort should
at once be reduced.
This order was executed by Gen Beau.
reg ,rd with the ski. and success which were
naturally to be expect j from the character
Of that gallant officer; aud, although the
bombardment lasted bu; ,hirty-three hours.
our tag did not waive over its battered
walls until after the arrival Of the hostile
iic OF tharics:on. Fortunately TO. Lie
va lost on our side. AID wc were urltilicd
III beng spared the necessity of i useless
thd,ion Vi tlood hy the pru 'cut caution
OF The o!hcers who commanded the fleet, in
absta nng from the evidently futile efflr;
70 enter The harbor for the relief Of Major
Anderson. 1 refer to the report of the
Secretary of War ard the papers which
n.f. L..
brilliant affair.
In this connection cannot refrain from
we!l-descrycd tribute TO the noble State.
tie eminent soldier!y qualities 81 whose
pc pie were 50 cunspicuUu ly displayed in
the port OF Charleston. For months they
had been initiated 10y the spectacle of a
fortress held WITHIN their principal harbor.
as Standing rGenaae against their pe ace
and undergraduates. Built in part with
their own money, its custody couiided with
their own consent to an agent who held no
power over them other than such as they
had themselves delegated for their own
benefit, intended to be used by that agent
for their own protection against foreign at
tack, they saw it held with persistent ten.
a 'Ity as means Of offence against them
by the very Government which they had
esta lished for their protection
They had belcaguercd it for months
felt entire confidence in their power to cap.
tnre it-yet yielded to the requirements OF
discipline, curbcd their iInpaticace, sub
inittcd without complaint t. the uuaccus.
'omed h".ds..iPs, i.noors aLG priv.tions oi
a prOtractcd siege; and " hen ut length
their patience was rewarded 10y the sianol
Tor attack, AID success had crowned their
steady and gallant conduct-even in the
very moment of triumph-they evinccd a
chiralrous regard for the feelings Of ihc
brave but unfortunate fiiccr who had been
compelled 10 lower his hag. All lnanifes-
iatlrnS of eXul;ation were checked in his
presence
Their commanding general, with their
cordial approval and the consent OF his gov-
erumcmc, rcirained from imposing any
t,rl.S that would wound the scmsibilities OF
the commander OF the iult. lie was per-
, mitted 10 retire w.G4 the hsnors of war
to salute his flag 10 DEPART freely with al
his command, and WIS escorted tu ;hc vcs-
sci in which he embarked, with the hill
est mtrk ct respect from those against
whom h'S :,uu> had been 50 recently direc-
ted. Not ouly does every event connected
with the siege reflect the highest honor ON
South Carolina, bat the forbcarancc of hcr
! people, aud OF this Government. from ina.
/ king any harsh use Of victory obtained
under circumstances of such peculiar prov,
ocatlon, atte.t 10 the fullest extent the alb
scncc Of any purpose beyond securing THEN
/ own tranquility and the sincere desire to
avoid the calamitics of war.
Scarcely had the President uf the United
States received intelligence OF the failur,
of tn" schyme which he had devised fu,
/ the reinforcement OF Fort Sumter. when
he issued tie declaration of war ,ainsr
this crntcdoracy which has prom,trd mc
! To c0nvoke you. In tl.is extraordinary
/ production, that high functionary affect:
I total ignoracc OF the existence Of an indie.
| pendcncc Government, which, possessing
the entire aud enthusiastic devotion of its
| people, Is exercising its functions without
| question over seven sovereign Statcs-oveI
more than five millions OF lcoplc-and
over territory whose :,rca exceeds halt 6
million Of square miles lie term soyer
cign States combinations. too powerful
to be surprised blythe ordinary course ol
judicial pr ce@dngs, or By the powers vest
ed in the nar,hals 10y law"
lie calls for an army of syouty -fy,
thousand men to act a posse comitof,ts in
aid of the process OF the courts of justice
in States We're no courts exist whose man.
dates and DEGREES are not chccriully obey.
cd and respected by willing people He
avows that the first service to be assign
cd to the forces called out" will be, not
to execute the process of courts, but to
capture forts and strougholds situated with.
in the admitted limits a! .this Confedcracy
and garrisond by Its troops; ani declares
the " this effort is intended "to maintain
.o pcrpctuty OF popular government,
He concludes 10y commanding "ihe per.
sons composing the combinations aforesaid. -
to wit: the five millions of inhabitants n,