Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-05-23
The late Administration Endorsing
the action of the Government.

views. The following shows that his
whole Cabinet as it was at the close o.
his administration were prepared to fol-
low the same course as that which has
been pursued by their SUCCESSORS, though
their politics were entirely different. it
is from Mr. Jno. A. Dix's speech at the
great meeting in Union Square n. J.
And here, fellow citizens. it is impor-
taut that we should clearly understand
the position of the late Administration
on this question. 1t is due to this Ad
miuistrution. as we'll as the last that we
should all understand it. shall lie We
nv brief, but | must ask your close at
tcntion for the few moncuts that will be
needed.
On the 3D. of December last, in his
annual Message to Congress. the lat"
/ President made strong aud unauswcr-
allie argument against the right Of Sc
ccssiun He olso Indicated his purpose
to collect the revenue and defend the
forts in South Carolina. In special
message - Congress on the 9Th OF Jan
uary he declared q usc the language Of
the McssageJ, the right and the duty to
ne military force defensiyely against
those who resist the Federal officers in
the execution Of their legal functions and
aguirst those who assai the property Of
! the Federal Government, is clear and
undeuiaj.c. (Cries OF Good for him =
oni loud chrerinF) The authorities of
South Carolina were repeatedly warned
that if they assaulted Fort Sumter il
would be the commencement If n ciyl!
war; and they would he responsible 'or
the consequences (Chccrs) The last
and most emphatic OF these warnings Is
contaiued in the admirable answer Of .nr.
Holt, Secretary Of War, to Mr.. Haync,
the Commissioner from South Carolina
oil the 9th Of February. 1t is in these
words: If, with all the multiplied
proofs which exist OF the Presidents an
xicty for peace, aud Of the earnestncss
winch be has pursued it, the authorities
of that State shall assault Fort Sumter
aud peril the lives of the handful Of
brave and loyal men shut up within its
walls and fins nlunoe our country into
the horrors of civil war, upon them
and those they represent nu,t rest
the rcpousibilty.' Enthusiastic sp-
rlau.c, and waving of hats | believe
the letter from which [ have read this
extract has never been published for, I,
rs member Of the Administrator. at
m. Time it was written, have n right ia
.,y tina, it had the cordial approval of
in. late resident and all his cons,i,u-
tioual advisers tCheers for General Dix
And this briurs IN. to the point wish
to make. violate no confidence in ma
kim it, 1t is this: If South Car
! La4 tcudcrcd war to the late Adu,instra-
tion us she has to this-I mean hy Il
hostile and deadly as-ault--it would
have hc,n unanimously accepted. pro
Ionrcd cheering) repeat, then. tha,
this Administration has done No more
than its duty. Nay, believe that sclf
preservation rendered necessary What it
has done. | have 10 doubt t.qt the
Confederate leaders at Montgomery have
entertained. ard still entertain the de-
sign of marching upon Washington 10
oyrrthrnw the Government, taking its
rlnce and presenting itself to the nations
,r the world n, the true representative
at the rcople Of the United States. y
(Crrcs Of Never. never; they can't dp
il y AGAINST this us,rpation and fraud.
if it shall be attempted, tr,ist we shall
contend with all the strength God has
nir,n rs rCrie, of we willis I am
for sppr-rt;nr the Government. ! do
NOT rs who administers il. It. ia tho
Gorcrnuent of my country. and as such
| shall oivr it IN his extremity all the
surnor, III nv power. regard the D .r.-
5;r,r cou.rst with tl,r Srces.iouists rs q
death ,,rurylc for Constitutional liberty
md law contest which, if successful
on ,hcir r,rt could only end in the cs.
,o'; sbnorpt nf a drsnotic Goy,rumru
and bio, ont wherever they were in the
as,.nl,ut every vestire of National
! rr,.d,,n Wan know fellov-ritizeus
that have ,lw,vs hcen in favor of nd.
;,s,;,g CONTROVERSIES hctw.en the State,
! hv Cancellation bv compron,ise By mutua,
ronccs.io,--;n = word in the shirt ir
which the Constitution was formed -
| Whenever the times shall be proptiou.
r,,, c,ln constellation, thew will find m.
| ca Gin Hut until tncn lat 10 rcmem.
! her that NOTHING could be so disa,trou.
so Illuminating and so disrcputable to u.
ali as 70 soc ,be common Government
oyortbrowr or lis legitimate autbor,,,
successfully resisted Let MS. then raj.
~ with one heart to lis snpport
,,.r.yo il will 49,, with MI tho moder,
| ro, and t,rLoor.uce consistent with III,
| 4. I