Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-04-25

smoke of the first battle having cleared away,
let us take compact view of events up TO the
present moment.
THE DIsUNIoN MOVEMENT.
During the late presidential canvass the
Breckenridge party of the South threatened to
break up the Union if the republicans succeed
ed. They were encouraged in this purpose by
papers and politicians of the same party and of
a portion of the Union party at the North who
continually assured them that their treason
would be abetted by an insuuecion at the North
of all opponents of the republican party. The
people of the North were undisturbed bv these
threats because they had confidence in the 10y
atty of the American people and believed the
threats themselves were made for partisan eff
feet, as for the most part they were. But with
the southern leaders it was sober earnest. The
conspiracy had already been formed and its
plans perfected. They included the breaking
up of the democratic party the success of re-
publcanism, the secession of the whole South
under the evaporation of that event, the siez-
ure of Washington, and the immediate estab-
shment of a southern government on the ruins
of the Union. Events have disclosed the en-
tire plot, and left no doubt as to its nature or
the men engaged in it. 1t has had partial
success. South Carolina seceeded on the Goth
of December, and has carried six other States
with her. They seized whatever forts, arsenals,
mints and other national property was left de-
ienceless, and armed themselves at the expense
of the country and by the connivance and CO.
operation of traitors in Mr. Buchanans cabinet.
They failed to carry the border and central
slave States with them, and they feared to at
tempt an assault upon the capital. They raised
the cry of peaceable secession, and have since
been preparing for war and attempting to Sc
duce the loyal slave States from the Union.-
The prospect of this was daily growing less ;
thegeneral government refused to recognise their
existence as separate power, or to negotiate
with their agents; reaction towards the Union
was beginning to be manifested strongly through
presses and public meetings in Alabama, Mis-
sissippi and Louisiana; the whole conspiracy
threatened to collapse and die out without a
hostile blow from the federal authority, which
had determined its policy to promote that solu-
ton, so long as there was any prospect Of it,
In this state of things Davis and his associate
conspirators came to the conclusion that war
alone would save them and their cause, and de-
| liberately chose the desperate alternative.
THE ISSUE MADE.
Events have since rushed onward with start
ling rapidity On the 9th of April, Major An
derson's supplies from Charleston were cut off.
Knowing that war had become inevitable, the
administration at once made vigorous prepare
tions and fitted out fleet at New York. with
the double object of provisioning Fort Sumter
and reinforcing and supplying Fort Pickens.-
| Notwithstanding the repeated and fragrant
| provocatons, the government had determined
| if possible to avoid striking the first blow in q
war upon which momentous results depend
ed. 1t maintained its policy of forbearance to
the last and forced its assailants to commence
the most unprovoked and aggressive war ever
undertaken against any government Its pro.
ject for supplying the starving garrison of Fort
Sumter was pacific. 1t gave notice Of its pur
pose to send an unarmed transport with pro-
visions to the fort. The rebel authorities re-
fused to permit its entrance to the harbor. No
threat of alternative force was made by the gov
ernment in connection with the request, as the
rebels have falsely stated, but it was the pur-
pose of the government to protect the provis.
ion transport if it should be fred upon and It's
protection seemed possible. storm DELAYED
the fleet and it did not reach the harbor as ear.
ly os was expected. The conspirators could
not wait. Their evil destiny pushed them tc
the edge of the precipice and hurled them off
On the 10th Gen. Beauregard made forma
demand of Major Anderson for the surrender
of the fort, which was refused. In the evening
of the same day Gen. Beauregard, by order O.
jeff Davis. informed Major Anderson that i
he would eyacuate the font he held when hi,
present supply of provisions was exhausted
there would be no appeal to arms. Major An
derson of course refused to surrender
THE PORT BoMBARDED.
On Friday morning at half-pnst four the as
sault on the fort commenced. Of this opening