The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-01-11

sad foretaste Of the universal suffering which
would result from its destruction. The calami-
" would be severe in every portion OF the
Union, ard would be quite as great, to say the
least in the Southern as in the Northern
States
The greatest aggravation of the evil, and
that which would place Us in the most un-
favorable light both before the world and pos
terity, is, as am firmly convinced, that the Sc
cession movement has been chiefly based upon
Misrepresentation al the South of the sentt-
ments of majority in several of the Northern
States.
Let the ques tion be transferred from politi-
cal assemblies to the ballot-box, and the peo-
pie themselves would speedily redress the
serious grievances which the South have suf-
fered But, in heavens name, let the trial be
made before we plunge into armed conflict
upon the mere assumption that there is no
other alternative. Time is n great conserva-
tive power. Let us pause at this momentous
point and afford the people, both North and
Soutn, an opportunity for reflection. Would
tbat South Carolina had been convinced of
TINS truth before her precipitate action l.,
therefore. appeal through you to the people of
me country 10 declare in their might that the
Union must and shall be preserved by all con-
stltutional means / most earDes tly recon-
mend that you devote yourselves exclusively
10 the question how this can be accom- plished
In peace. All other questions when IN pared
with this, sink into insignificance. The pre-
sent Is no time for palliations. Action, prompt
nNtioii, 10 it4 n uSiAY lfi congress To
prescribe or 10 recommend distinct and
practical proposition for Cancellation may
drive us TO a point from which it will be al
most Impossible to recede.
A common ground which Cancellation
and harmony can be produced is surely not
unatiaIpabie. The proposition to coinpro-
mise by letting the North have exclusive con-
troll OF the Territory above a certain line, and
TO give Southern institutions protection below
that line, ought to receive universal appro ba-
ton. In itself, indeed, it may not be entirely
satisfactory but when the alternative is be-
tween a reasonable concession on both sides
ana destruction of the Union, it is an impu-
tauon upon the patriotism of Congress to as
sert that its members will hesitate for a mo-
ment
Even now the danger is upon u.s. In several
OF Inc States which have not yet seeded the
forts, arseDaIs and magazines of the United
States have been seized.
This is by far the M 3st serious step which
has been taken since the commencement of the
troubles. This public property has long been
LETT without garrisous and troops for its pro
lection, because no person doubted its security
under the flag OF the country il any State of
the Union.
Besides, our small army has scarcely been
SnIlclent TO guard our remote frontiers against
luuian incursions. The seizure of this prop-
eriy' from all appearances, has been purely
aggressive and not in resistance TO any al tenn I
10 coerce State or States to remain in the
Union.
At the beginning Of these unhappy troubles,
bCtei uiiieu lEdt no act OF mine S0OuId n
crease lhe excitement in either section of the
country. 1t the political conflict were to end
IN civil Il war, it was my determined purpose
not 10 commerce II, nor even To furnish an
excuse for IL by any act of this Government
my opinion remaius unchanged, that justice
as well as sound policy requires US still TO
seek peaceful solution of the quest tions at
issue between the North aud the South. En-
tertaining this convic ion, l refraned even
from sending reiuforcements to Maj. Ander-
son. who commanded the forts in Charleston
haroor, untii an absolute necessity for doing
So should maks itself apparent, lest it might
unJuslly be regarded as menace of military
coercion, and thus furnish, if not a provoca.
tion, at least pretext for an out break on the
part OF South Carolina No necessity for these
reiniorcements seemed TO exist. was assured
by distinguished and upright gentlemen of
South Carolina that no attack upon Major
Anderson was intended, but that, on the con-
trary. II was the desire of the State authori-
ties, as much as it was my own, to avoid the
fatal consequences which must eventually
follow military collision.
And here L deem IL proper . submit for
your information copies of a communication,
dated 2Sth December, 1860, addressed TO me by
r w. Barn we'll, ]. II. Adams, aud James l.
Orr, Commissioners - from South Carolina,
and the accompanying documents and copies
of my answer there TO- dated 3lst December
In further explanation of Major Anderson'e
removal from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter,
ii is proper to state that, after my answer to
the Sou III Carolina commissioners" The w
Dapar tment receiy ed letter from that gallan t
officer, dated on the 27th Deem bef, 1860, the
day after this movement, from which The fol-
lowing is an extract:
Il will add as my opinion that many things con-
vlnced me that the authorities of the state de-
signed To proceed to hostile act, fevIdentiy re-
ieTrlns TO the orders, dated December IL. of the
late Secretary OF War; Under this impression |
could not heslt ate hat 1t was my emn duty to
move my command from fort which I probably
coula NOT ta.e held longer than forty eight or
ance is Increased TO very great degree"
1t will be Iecollected that the concluding z
part of these orders was in the following
terms:
"The smallness of your force will not permit you
perhaps, TO occupy more than one of the oi ne r
forts. but attack or attempt to take possession
OF either one OF them will be regarded as an act of
hostility and you may then put 1our command
proper to increase Its power of resistance You
are alko authorized to take similar defensive
steps whenever you have tang'ble evidence of a
design TO proceed to hostile act.'
1t is said that serious apprehensions are to
some extent, enteriained-iu which l do not
share-that the peace of this District may be
disturbed before the fourth of March next
In any event, it will become my duty to pre-
serve it, and this duty shall be performed.
In conclusion, 1t may be permitted me to re-
marx, have often warned my countrymen of
the dangers which now surround us. This
may be the last time l shall refer to the sub D.
ject officially. l feel that my duty has been
faithfully, though it may be mperfectiy, per-
formedi and Whatever the result may b., l
shall carry to my grave the consciousness that
at least meant well for my country.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
Washington, Jan. S, 1861.
The enclosures Were the correspondence
between the Commissioners and the Presi-
dent, with the exception of the final reply to
| the Commissioners already published