, 1861-03-21
Ct)irago Griibut1e'


THURSDAY, MARCH Fl, 1861.
TEE QUESTION oF TIME. I
We have no faith in the theory :that time
alone is wanting to crush out the disunion
sentiment at the South. The secessionists
themselves desire time to perfect; their |
and to get the masses iffe-tt
vocably committed Beyond occasional
acts, such as the seizure Of Forts, Custom.
Houses and sub Z Treasures, and 1thd firing
upon the Star. Of: the West, which were |
quite sufficient to show an earnestncss Of
purpose at the bottom Of :thcmosement7II
and which were evidently designed to con-
vey that impression, the seccssionists them
selves have been as sedulous inthcir efforts
10 avoid q collision as the Q. $. authors
ties, That there is more or less OF Union
sentiment III each Of the seeding States
we do not entertain adoubt; but that It.
will show itself to the public, that It will
organize itself with view to making head
araiust the secession movement, OF that it
viii increase either in intensity or in NUM-
bers, while The Government satisfies itself
with the policy Of inaction, is an opinion
from which wc most emphatically dissent
On the contrary, we believe ii will grow
weaker, day by day, and its adAerents one
by one fall of, so long as that policy is
pursued. II anything can foster a Union
sentiment at the South and give it courage
and strength TO face the reign Of terror
by which it is for the present over
whelmed, it is an unmistakablc demon
stration on the part Of the Government
both OF the intention and the ability
to maintain the Union and to protect
those who are loyal TO it. Had such
q policy been pursued by the last Admins
tration,- secession would not have listed
thirty days. As it Eas, delay was rccogg-
nized as weakness, and 1orbearance as
1imidity; and the time that was given to
restore the disaffeetcd to loyalty and
reason, only increased the vigor and en-
larged the proportions Of the rebellion.
It is not to be expected that the present
Administration can mature and inaugurate a
policy in week or month, that will prove
adequate to the existing emergency. But
that it will be compelled to show its
strength or surrender The matter III contro-
yersy before solution of the difficulties is
arrived at, we do not entertain . doubt.
The delay consequent upon calling Con
grcss together, is unavoidable; and it may
be that when it does assemble its sym
pathies will be stronger in behalf Of Sc
cession than its loyalty for tic Union-bn'
that is The first step in the direction Of 9
settlement, and we do not hesitate to give
itas our opinion that no time should bclos
in taking ii. Every hours delay beyond
what the Federal Constitution imposes
can have no other effect than to throw upor
the Administration weighty responsible
ties which it has the power, and which vi
believe is its duty likewise, to place upo1
Congress,
What has been the result Of Z masterl,
inactivity thus far? Secession has nov
been in progress for nearly FIVE months
During the whole Of that period not tn
first display Of Government force has bee1
made against it. Is the Union sentimen
stronger to-day in the seeding States, O.
in the border S.a7eholding States, than i
was on the sixth day Of November last
Is itas strong. Do not the facts show tha
it has been entirely overwhelmed in til
former, and that it has been demora1
ized TO an alarming extent in til
latter? What else has happened
How many Of the coast defenccs from til
northern line Of South Carolina to til
southern boundary Of Texas are now hel
by the Government? What las becomet
the Federal property within the secedin
States? Why have vessels been despatche
within these few days to convey Feder'
troops away from Texas? Who is mastt
of the situation in Charleston harbdr
What great good has resulted from Il
famous coup d'etat Of Major Anderson
Will the Stars and Stripes or the RATTLE
snake flag float from the walls Of F'o
Sumter week hence? These arc son
of the fruits Of delay. They grew iii
ripened with the rapidity Of Jonah's gollr
Other fruits have been Of slower growt
but time, if given, will surely mature the
also. OF such is the Government Of ii
Confederate States Il is not entirely pc
fectcd yet, but its functions are day by d:
coming into active exercise. Hhas L Pr
visional Executive, it is fast being odficert
in all its subordinate departments, and
is daily organizing and drilling an arm
for its protection. 4 few months hem
the whole machinery of government ri
have been perfected, and the friction Of
running gear will be daily diIninisilin
This is wllat delay has brought forth
these are some Of the results of master
inactivity.
Let us not be misunderstood. We
not advocate resort to force beyond wi
isnecessaryto execute the laws and to maj
tain the integrity of the Government. I'll
much force, however, should he e2ercis
just 80 soon US Congress will empower I
Executive to so employ it, or the COVER
ment Of the Confederate States should
recognized without further words. T
nation should not be left 10 uncertainty Il
to the evils which grow out Of it. If :
homo far. r1r,out fhn Aet ctn,1f3 In Z