Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-02-13
The Supplies of Provisions n

The Supplies of Provisions mt Fort sumter.
In spite of the constant reports from
Charleston, by real correspondents who de-
sign 10 create false impression, and by
sham correspondents who seize on such re-
ports and put them into the semlance of let
te1s from Charleston, that Major Anderson
is receiving daily supplies of fresh provisions
from the Charleston market, we are reliably
informed that he has received no such sup
plies but has ever since the removal to Fort
Sumter, subsisted on the regular Govern
ment stores of: salt provisions aud dry vegc-
tables, of which beans is the staple.
This is shown, also, by the fuss which a
Charleston paper made about pound or
! two of candles, said to have been smuggled
into the fort by a woman in her clothes.
| Fort Sumter is in a state of seige, cut off
from all supplies. This is just as much an
act of war on the part of the Carolinians as
if they were bombarding her; and it equally
entities Major Anderson to use the same
means Of retaliation. Even the cow
ardly allies of Secession among u.s.
who talk of Government defending it
!
pretend that ifFort Sumter was fred on
Major Anderson would not be compelled tC
return the fire, nor that he would not b5
perfectly justified in doing it. Even the
Enquirer, which is begging the North tc
disarm the South by giving the South all II
asks, and exhorting the South to arm and
ask for more, would hardly call this coer-
cion; though in two or three days it prob
ably will. But a siege which tries to over
come fort by cutting of its supplies, is just
as much an act of war as q bombardment;
and in time, if not raised, it will effect the
same purpose, a reduction of the fort.
If Moior Anderson would have right tC
return a fire upon him, he has right to re-
taliate the siege by blockading Charleston
barbor. We suppose that none will deny
this. Fort Sumter commands the harbor
and>c place Charleston in the same state
of siege, as TO water communication, tha
Charleston has placed Fort Sumter. Thi
Major Anderson has a right to do, in sci
defense; and this he is bound to do in dis
charge of his official duty to use all prope
means to maintain the fort. Not even thu
allies of Secession, who frighten Themselves
with the hobgoblin of coercion" could cal
that coercion.
Had Major Anderson done this, it would
have brought home to Charleston the evil;
| of their own war, and would have had an
excellent moral effect on Secession. Thi:
undoubtedly Major Anderson would have
| I,,A lo fsad hxy fba n
Floyd, while he was in the Cabinet, and
since by the mingled imbecility and treach,
cry of the President, who tries to compound
with rebellion by offering it no resistance
during his term, and placing the Govern
ment entirely in its power at the expiration
of his term, provided that by constant sur
render and non. resistance he may be allowed
to transfer the nominsl Government to hiI
successor.
For this treacherous and knavish purpose
Major Anderson, in 8 fort which can block
ade Charleston, is compelled to submit: to b.
blockaded by it, and to see the flag of hi
Government fred on, and subject to all man
nerof insult and imposition; and re-enforce
ments for him driven off; and vessels pass
ing under his fort, bearing arms and men II
build batteries to attack him, and all kind
of commerce, both peaceful and contrabant
of war, carried on by people who are a
actual war with him. 1t is to be hoped tina
the country will soon be relieved from thi
disgracefuf exhibition and that South caro-
lima viii soon be. allowed to decide whethe
the status between her and Fort Sumte
shall be peace or war, with the understand
ing that if it is to be peace, it must be mu
tual; and if it is war, it will be mutual.