Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-01-17
IMPORTANT MESSAGE
pDDcInu,rr To cnNnpEco

Union. expressed my opinion freely concerning the
measures believed would have the effect of ranquizng
the country and saving from the peril in which had been
ions and recommendations do not now propose to repeat
Ny convictions upon the whole subject remain un-
changed. The fact that great calamity was impending
over the nation at that time acknowledged by
every intelligent citizen 1t had already MADE itself felt
throughout the length and breadth OF the land The
Of the alarm thus produced Were most
fore, except in time of in the history OF car foreign
commerce. the treasury was unexpectedly lets without
which had reasonably counted upon to meet the
public engagements trade was paTayzeu I
stopped The best public securities suddenly sunk IN
the market every species OF property more or
less and thousands of poor men, who depended upon their
daily labor for er daily bread were turned out OF employ
deeply regret that able to give you any infor
upon the of the Union which more
contrary matters still at present than they en
When Congress strong hopes pervaded the whole
would speedily be made by the representatives the States
the people, which restore peace con
cting sections of the country That nope has Deen OIL
mnshed by every hour of delay and as the prospects OF
boodess settlement fades away public distress becomes
As evidence of this only necessary to that the
treasury notes, authorized by the act OF the lh OF Decem
last advertised according to law, and that no
sponsbe bidder offered to take any considerable sum at
par interest than IL cent From these
facts appears that in organized like ours
domestic strife or even wegro1ndea rear OF cv nos
than most formidable foreign war.
In my annual message expressed the conVctlon winch
has ony tended to deepen and confirm that State has
right by to secede from the Union or to throw
off it's federal obligations pleasure also declared my
opinion to be that right existed and should be
by State of the conederacy the executive de-
partment of this government had no authority under the
constitution recognize its validity by acknowledging the
Independence OF such State
This left other alternative as chief executive officer
under Constitution, bat to collect the public revenues
protect the public PROPERTY far as this might be
practicable under existing laws This still my purpose
MY province execute and not to make laws belongs
Congress exclusively repeal to modify or to enlarge
their provisions meet exgencles as they may occur
possess dispensing power certainly had no rlght 10
make aggressive war upon any state and am peIlecty
satisfied that the Constitution has wisely withheld that pow
er from Congress-
who resist the federal officers in the execution
of their legal functions and against those who assa the
property of the Federal Government Is cear ana 4noena
BILE But dangerous and hostile attitude OF States towards
each other has already far and cast the shade
ordinary executive duties already divided for by law,
and such and alarming proportions to
place the subject entirely above and beyond executive con-
The fact cannot be disguised that in the midst of
great revolution in all its various bearings Therefore
commend the question to Congress- as the only human TIL
bun under Providence possessing power to meet the ex
listing emergency To them exclusively belongs the power
to declare to authorize the employment OF military
force in all contemplated by the Constitution and
they alone to remove grievances winch might
lead and to peace and union to this distrac
ted country On them and on them Alone rests The resrcn
+ sibity ,.:oou g.
theirs to descendants and did any other people
inherit rich legacy has rendered prosperous in
in glory every Under its shadow American ct
have found protection and respect in all lands beneath
descend considerations purely material
interest when in the history OF all time has confederacy
been together by such strong ties of mutual interest
Each portion is dependent ali, and all upon each
portion, for prosperity and domestic security.
Free trade throughout the whole supplies the wants of
portion the productions of another and scaers
wealth everywhere The great planting and farming States
reGnire the aid of the commercial and navigating States to
send their productions foreign markets. and
furnish naval power to render their transportation
against all hostile atacs should the onlGn peTIn IN G
foretase of the universal suffering which would result from
of &c
i the Southern in the Northern States
The greatest aggravaon of the evil, and that which
would place a uufavorabe light both before the
world and pos.ery, AM firmly convinced that the
secession movement has been chiefly based upon msap-
prehension the South the sentiments of the majority
several of the Northern States. Let the question be
transferred from political assemblies to the ballot box and
the people themselves would speedily redress all serious
grievances which the South have suffered But in Heavens
let trial be made before we plunge into armed con-
fct upon assumption that there alternative.
= Time is great conservative power.
Let pause st this momenou point and afford the peo-
pie, both North and South opportunity for reflection
Would that South Carolina had been convinced of this truth
before her peoptate action therefore appeal through
to the people ofthe country to declare ID their might
that the Union must and shall be preserved by all consttu
ona means most earnestly recommend that you de-
vote yourselves exclusively to the queson-how this can
pared to this sink into nsgnfcance The present no
time for paiatons-action, Prompt action, is required
delay IN CGnges to scr or TO rec @ aria anc
1t point from which will be almost impossible to recede.
be produced is surely not unattainabe Propositions to
i compromise b. letting the North have the exclusive
institutions protection below ne ought receive
veral appreciation. In ITSELF indeed may not be entire
y satisfactory but when the alternative between reason
b able concession both sides and the destruction of
Union is an mpuation the patriotism of Congress
- to assert that members will estate for moment
" Even danger upon u.s. In several of the States
which have not seeded forts arsenas and magazines
step which has been taken since the
the troubles This public property has long been left
person doubted security under the flag of the country
any State the Union besides small has
lU hpnD
dian unconscious The seizure of this property from all ap
has been purely aggressive and not resistance
to to States remain the Union
At the beginning of these unhappy troubles determined
that no action OF NINE should increase the excitement
> to end in civil my determined purpose not tt
ch commence it, furnish for by
OF the Government Ny opinion remains unchanged tina
justice as we'll as sound policy requires us still to seek
North and the south Entertaining this conviction re-
Trained even from sending to Major Ander
commanding forts In Charleston harbor until absO
o. necessity for doing should make itself apparent les
o might unjusy be regarded of military
&C con thus urnsh provocation least pretex
ch for an outbreak on the part of South Carolina.
No necessity for these reinorcements seemed to exist
assured by distinguished and upright gentlemen sou
Carolina that attack upon Major Anderson
but that the contrary the desire Of the State
thorities much my to avoid the fatal
e quences which must eventually follow military collision.
And here deem proper submit for your information
lie copies Of communication dated the 18th of December
1860, addressed by R. W. Barewel J. II. Adams
James L. Orr commissioners from South Carolina with
companyng documents and copies Of my thereto
y. dated 3lst OF December.
In further explanation of Major Andesons removal from
Fort Moutre to Fort SUMTER to state that a
answer to the South Carolina commissioners the Wa
Department received letter from that gallant officer
the 9th December 1861 the day after this movement
which the following is extract -
will add my opinion, that many things convinced
that the authorities of the State designed proceed
"a hostile act referring orders dated December 18th
u the late Secretary of War Under this impression cou
on not hesitate that my solemn duty my
ct mand from tort which could probably have hell
longer than forty sixty hours to this one
power of resistance is increased very great degree
1t will be recoected that the concluding part of these
0h ders was in the following terms:
The smalness of your force will not permit you per