Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1861-01-30
The Taxing of Fort Sumtcr.

A brief but pointed contribution appears in ,
late number Of our chiralrie cotcmpornry,-the
Charleston Msreury,-thc purpose Of which We are
not prepared to endorse, ns much as we admire its
tone Of lofty daring. The aim of its suggestions
seems to be, to goad South Carolina on to the i'm
mediate capture of Fort Sumter, by the considcra-
tion that rs long she delays to do so her honor
lies bleeding. we respectfully submit with due
sense of our insufficient information on several
points involved, that this is strained and an in
correct conclusion.
So far as events have yet been developed in nc.
ton, South Cardinals honor stands untarnished
and undimmcd before the country. Knowing the
consequences, she resolutely took the initiative Of
secession with perfec. unanimity. Knowing the
consequences, she has determined to defend her
action whatever influences may be brought to bear
against her. Knowing the consequences, her nu-
thortics have nterposcd the right arm Of hcr SOW
creignty against Fort SHmter in the only present
practicable mode Of wnrfare,-by resisting all at-
tempts at reinforcement. Knowing the conse-
| Observation-Disclosures threatened und promulgG-
ted at Washington City,-her authorities have
continued to occupy this position Of resoute de-
dance and to use all possible exertions to make II
good against any force that might approach
knowing the consequences, our guns have fired
into a vessel bearing aid to Fort Sumter, i'd the
enemy has been compelled to retreat discounted
from our shores. Knowing the consequences, and
indeed in direct reply to threat from the guns Of
Fort Sumter, our Commandcr-in-chief has sterny
held this position and has been sustained in it BY
tho united voice of the South Carolina Legislature
and, this day, arrangements are as nearly per
feet as may be to maintain this policy to the last
extremity. Men could not perhaps hnye done
more with the same means, than South Carolinians
havo done within six short weeks to resist coercion
in the only way it could be done under the pecu.
! isr circumst stances that environ us. And yet some
of our spirited advisers seem to think that South
Carolina is but (as it were in disgrace, so long
Fort Sumter, however checked and however EN-.
| barrasssd, remains in tho keeping Of Major An.
! pERspy and his mon.
The article in the Mercury is givon in another
|
himself In differing with it, We but speak the
thoughts of our own mind; and VIC do SO with
dfidcucc, as wo arc neither near the sccne of &C
tion, nor by any means posted in the details O.
the undertaking this writer urges. Still however
VIC venture few considerations by wny Of cnqui
ry, that may not be without some bearing upor
the matter in hand.
l. Fort Sunier if not impregnablc, is conceded
to be tho most complete insulated stronghold OF
this continent. Any attempt to take it would nc
ccsstate great loss of life to the attacking forces
and even then the effort might prove unavailing
Would not such q repulse give more ardor to ou
oncmies and subtract moro moral strength from oul
cause, than the present position of matters is like
ly to do7
| 2. Fort Pickcns, near Pensacola, is by no mean:
so strong as For, Snm'er, and has besides q lant
approach. Southern troops are there to !h'
strength of two or three thousand. 1t is stated
that they regard the attack by water impractical
bic, and even m assault by the land approach ex
tremey hazardous. The latter is the only mod,
of attark they at all propose Ii South Carolins
to be considered under tho ban of public reproact
because she delays as long as possible TO attempt
an assault upon For. Sumter, which the brave iner
of Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and Louisiant
regard impracticabu as against the lOsscr forlica
tion armament and soldiery Of Fort Pickens'
3. In the present attitude of affairs, are VIC MOI
! the bcaciging party, and is not Fort Snmter the
bcseiged? Have We not thrown down the gaunt
: Mc Wcst:s and dc
tiles stand virtually
81 IT, -