Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-04-05
Difficulties OF Holding the Forts
and Collecting the Revenue.

Difficulties OF Holding the EoRts
and Collecting the Revenue.
Mr.. Teesdale, editor of the Desmoines
Register, writing from Washington, gives the
most lucid account that we have yet read Of
the difficulties which environ the Administra-
ton in regard to holding the forts and collect
ing the revenue at the South. He says he
understands the President and Cabinet were
at first unit against the evacuation of Fort
Sumter, unless the necessity was made so
clear to them as to admit of not even q
shadow Of doubt. We quote: -
"The President felt that his oath required
him to protect all the property Of the Govern
ment that came into his hands. But he
made no pretence to military knowledge, and
if Gen. Scott, Major Anderson and the patriot
soldiers of the country believed that it was
hazardous and unwise to attempt the rein.
forcement of Sumter, he could not and would
not set up his judgment against theirs. He
felt that he was likely to be placed in false
position before the country. But he cared
not for that. Personal pride could not be
allowed to sway his action. His duty was to
his country. Its interests were his care.
The question for hiEaeto~ decide WAS, what
course would tend most to allay sectional
excitement, prevent the destruction Of the
and secure the blessings Of
peace and liberty to the people who had
the Chief Magistracy to his hands
"The Inaugural was written, it il said, at
Springfield. 1t was written without an
of consulting with the Admins
tration or his friends in Congress ~ to the
actual state of affairs in the South. He had
every reason to suppose that Congress would
give him power to execute the laws and pre-
serve the Union against enemies within and
without. This expectation was not realized. |
The passage of the Revenue bill and the Vol |
lnteer bill was prevented by the united labors
If the remaining Southern States, the DEM
,cracy Of the North, and few timid men in
he Republican ranks. The President finds
himself comparatively powerless. In time
If great peril, the Government is upon
,eace footing.
in this emergency, he is told that the
of Fort Sumter is . military nsces.
ity. By Union men South he is told that
peaceful solution of present difficulties is .
'oliticAl necessity. Without power to reclsim
1S IVA W adN fAOpCAty IASt AOVO OCSu SAuACl, |
nd to enforce the laws in the seeding States,
e sees that the retention of Ft. Sumter
to nothing 1t irritates South Car
lima and her confederates, and gives dema-
ogues in those States an opportunity to
nAame passion and prejudice already border
ng upon insanity. He yields at last to the
ecessity of the hour, and gives his consent
0 the evacuation Of Fort Sumter. Such is
he statement that has already reached the
ountry, and there seems to be no room to
uestion its truthfulness.
"The abandonment Of Fort Sumter is,
owever, far from the chief difficulty that
esets the new Administration. The Revenue
uestion is terribly perplexing. If the rev.
nues are to be seized and appropriated by
ae seeding States; if tho Tariff of the new
onfederacy is to be 50 framed as to offer a
onus to the merchantman to carry his wares
, Southern port, collision is inevitable.
congress must be convened, and the President
ill ask for power to execute the revenue
.ws. This is, even now, seriously contem-
lated. If the evil complained of becomes
20 formidable for endurance, the remedy
lust be provided.
Ofthis, however, you may restassured, the
resident will not recognize the revolutionary
overnment of the South.