The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-03-21

is understood that Bgeow Lawrence, OF Boston, VIII
60 Secretary Of Legation to England.
Col. Thomas II. Nelson, Of Indiana, win probably be
sent in To- morrow a. Minister to Brazil.
OUR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
WASHINGTON, March 10, 1851.
The Evacuation Of Ftr. Saney-Inpasescs Of Republicans
atA< Dslayof Executive letioH ne Cause of TIE Delay
Pcplsxav Di,Amma-Dansrs Of PyocrasinatIon,
de-, dc.
rs over week since tho country was electrified
by the announcement in the HERALD Of the intention Of
the administration TO abandon Fort Sumter. When
that humbpg piece Of intelligence first flashed over the
land, shock Of indignant surprise was experienced
throughout the republican North Angry excitement and
wrathful disappointment became manifest on all sides,
and sweeping storm OF opposition appeared imminent.
But second sober thought prevailed in the end.
Facts and figures benumbed the singing sense Of
wounded pride and deep humiliation. Gradually, though
reluctantly, the rank and file of the republicans grew
reconced to the Idea of giving away for the nonce from
inexorable necessity TO treason and rebellion. To be
sure, to withdraw Major Anderson to them like re-
nouncing article Of their political faith and abandon
ing ardent hopes and recalling the ervent prayers Of
many months Yet the dose Of modification, com.
pounded for them by Mr. Lncon's predecessor had to
be swallowed however large and bitter, and hence they
set about preparing their minds ror the emergency.
But, although the majority of Northern republicans
are evidently ready for the contamination Of what
they have learned to consider inevitable--aithough
they are ready to vouchsafe, II not their active
APPRECIATION at least their passive tolerance, of the
most unpopular and yet necesstous step the govern
ent their election could possibly take-they oahe
be kept the rack Of suspense They intend to abide
by the action Of the administration in the premises
but they desire II 10 act with prompness They 10
be rid Of this demorazng incubus at the earliest poss
BILE moment They yoarn to be relieved Of the taunts
eeYs and rdcue the sorry evaporation Of their promises
and Pledges boasts and threats In regard TO Fort Sumter
have heaped upon them. They know that the only psus
BILE argument in justification Of It's Abandonment by order
of the republican Executive its "nexorabe and i'm
mediate necessity, and that losing force by every
hour Of delay They feel that bodness Of resolution and
energy Of execution essentially indispensable qualities
with those in power at the present juncture Of public
affairs, and hence they cbace under the indecsion and
procrastnation that appear to characterize the first at
tempt Of the regime at the practical construction OF
the inaugural phrase "t0 hold and occupy the
federal property"
DuInay for the last ten days the Cabinet has hal pro
question Of what was to be done with Fort sumter and
the other posts IN the seeded states still occupied by
the federal troops untangy came up and was the sub
such experts Gen. Scott Col Totten Prof Bache, AMI
other military and scientific emnences, sought and
not only the President, but aso every member Of Ills
ministerial council, yielded their political objections at
an early moment, before the conclusive demonstra-
tons by those authorities OF tho mpractica5ity OF
reinforcement except at fearful sacrifice Of HE and
property recognized the nevitabty Of abandonment
and determined then TO submit to IT, they concluded
10 act upon the resolution.
The general impression appears be that tho evident
hitch arrived at in the Of this subject Is the
result Of indecision determination
cuate. Bot the real obstruction lies In different drec
ton IT the question how the withdrawal of
Major Anderson and his small band with safety and with
out compromising the honor and dignity of the federal
government too much OF which viii already be yielded
by the surrender Of its property and armanents 20
rebels and traitors S further, in debcratny upon this
point entirely and not the least perpexDg phase
Of this mbogo presented itself 10 the Clbne. in the shape
OF authentic Information that the commander in cher
the revolutionary forces Of the cotton conledcray lad
instructed General Beauregard not to allow the peace
ful withdrawal Of the garrison of Fort Sumter,
without hrst obtaining by express stipulation sccu
rity not only against all russs, but also for the
in intact condition. This intention Of the real chiefs
to dictate terms TO the legitimate government may be
bold but unfortunately they seem 70 have the power 10
realize IT, Their command Of all the incts Charleston
harbor itself absolute that neither the safe approach
Of any federal the embarkation the garr
sion would be practicable without their consent What
| then, can the federal Executive do in case they sha
presume, their consciousness Of the mpractcabty Of
reinforcement and the i'm pending reduction Of the
cupants Of the post tothe starvation point 10 allow the
evacuation upon the above conditions ony Nothing but
either 20 bind itself by advance stpuatons not to
tempt sealthy reinforcement while pretending TO be
about cyacuating, not 70 spike the guns, and not
cretion. As both horns Of this dilemma imply an
indirect recognition Of, well as most hum
bling submission to- tho Revolutionary authorities
both the President and the Cabinet olthe 10 touch either
and their reluctance in this respect has contributed
much any other 10 their manifest hesitation
act definitely relative 70 the evacuation.
Whatever the utmste solution OF this difficulty may
be, ia certain that the administration has nothing
gain by delay The entire nation considers the question
of the southern forts the moe important issue before IT,
and the sooner they decide il, either way or the
other, the better for itself and all its friends Symptoms
~ n in mn tha
sity OF the abandonment of Fort Sumter already a-
dble in the form Of loud grows Of many Of the repub
leaders here. They ask II IL must be done why
not do at once and express themselves unable TO
derstand how so much time and attention be be-
slowed upon the distribution Of the spos and matters
Of such vital importance apparently neglected.