Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1861-01-26
Prom the Ohio State journal.
PATRIOTISM AND VALOR-FALSE PRE-
SENTIMENT


, SENTIMENT.
So anxious are patriots to have the Union savet
and SO outraged have they been by the open tret
son of Cabinet officers, that there is great DANCE
that those in authority simply performing plai
duty will receive undue attention and be undesei
vedly glor6sd.
In self-defenSe, Maj. Anderson nbundons OF
fort in Charleston harbor and occupies another
which gives him next to an invulnerable position
and thereupon, in on excess Of hasty enthusiasm
the North goes of in blaze Of exaltatiop. Tb,
patriotism, the courage, the tactics Of that Officer
are extolled, and bis claims upon the admiration
and gratitude Of the lovers of the Union and oil
peace and order is vehamently urged
Now We would not detraot one jot or title from
the just recognition of Maj. Anderson's valuable
services in his present trying position; yet We
wish to protest against the American weakness
of magnifying the performance Of mere duty in
to the extraordinary efforts of great genius and
power. 1t is true that Maj Anderson has acted
with coolness and courage in effecting his stra-
egy, to which many of his brother officers in the
army Of more pretension, could not probably Law
claimj yet when we consider motives, We find the
involuntary bubblng up Of admiration greatly
repressed.
Maj. Anderson became convinced that to remain
at Fort Moultrie was to be overcome, and proba-
bly, slaughtered. To remove to Fl. Sumpter was
TO postpone his overthrow, il not fortfy himsel
permanently and render successful assault hone
less. The REGARD tnas any humane commander
must entertain for the lives of his men, and the
instinct of selfpreservution, would at one suggest
that no time was to be lost in shifting from
doubtful to secure position. Professional pride
would revolt at a surrender at discretion. To sur
render would be TO give himself up to certain in
fanny. Even his enemies would dcspiso him as q
traitor, while applauding his treason. Thus we
see the common motives which would inspir the
routine commander, are suffcien. to actuate opy
officer in adopting precisely the coutso observed
by Maj. Anderson.
We have yet to discover The least evidence thai.
genuine patriotism had any thing to do in prem
ting the operations of Maj. Anderson. 1t is affirm
ed by reliable authorities that his sympa,hies are
all with the South Cafonans. When the ohjec;
Of his removal to Fort Sump,er was demanded by
messengers sent by Gov. Piekeus, on tho morns
ing following the manoeuvre. Maj. Anderson re-
piled that it was made for the protection of hie
garrison and to avoid the shedding Of blood; that
ne was a SOutherner by birth education and feel
ng; that his full sympathes we're WITH bis section,
md that HE mind was made up to avoid firing
single gun unless compelled to do go in self-le-
ence; that his move was simply a precautionary
MEASURE against an attack which would require
him to fire on his friends.
Is this the way patriot would talk to traitors?
That he was sincere in these assurances to a rebel
Governors messengers cannot be doubted. lie
uttered an unarmed vessel, bearing the ensign Of
,is government, to be fred into and driven from
me of the ports of the United States, by band
# traitors, when he had it in his power to scatter
hem to the four winds. Farther than this, he daily
uffars steamers to pass his fortress with impuri-
y. loaded with rebellious troops, with horses, mu-
itions of war, supplies, &c. all Of which he knows
nly awaits opportunity to be turned against his
country. This is the bravery the courage, which
Northern Union men are celebrating with hum
red gun salutes, inflated speeches and newspaper
rticles. We do not wish to rest under the impu-
alton, by keeping silent, that We accept Maj. An
erson's tender of patriotism the genuine arti-
lie. He is undoubtedly an acoon plished military
ficer and an honorable man; but we are con-
trained d-muoh against our will-to believe that
is heart, if not with the enemy, is at least def
lent in shat patriotic impulse which SHOULD ami
nate the breast of a man occupying his post.