Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1861-07-17
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

TFLLOw-CITIzENs OF THE SENATE AND House.
~ RFPEESESTA TATivEs Having been convened
m an extraordinary occasion as authorized by
tie Constitution. Your attention Is not called To
any ordinary subject Of legislation. Vt the be
g.-1.zg of the present Presidential term. four
months ago. the functions Of the Federal Govern
-lent were found i be generally suspended with
IN the several States Of South Carolina, Georgia.
Alabama, Mississippi. louisiana and Florida.
excepting only those Of the Post Ofi5e Depart
meut- Within these States the forts. arseuals.
docks Yards, custom houses and the like, incui-
fug the movesJIe and stationary property in and
acout them. hal been seized and hal been in
rreu hostility 10 this government, excepting only
IT, Pickeus. Taylor and JeferSr Il. on and near
r-a Florida coast. and Fort Sumter, in Charleston
Earbpr. South Carolina. The forts thus seized
ist been put in improved conditions. new ones
hal J7en built AMI armed f-rce- had been organ
jlc3 sid we're nrganizfng. all avowediy with the
sane hostile rurpnse- The forts remaining in the
possession Of the Federal Government in and near
tr-,e States we're either beseiged OF uenaceI BY
p.rli-e preparations and especially Fort sun
ter E1s nearly surrounded by wei protected hos
lie batteries with guns equal in quality to the
test f It's own and outnumbering the latter as
Perhaps ten TO one. A d;sproportjouate share o.
tie Federal nIuskets and rifles had somehow
found their way into these States. and had been
seized % te used against the government. Ac-
c1uuIations Of the public revenue lying within
them had been seized for the same object. The
navy vas scattered in distant seas, leaving very
small part # it within the Immediate reach Of
:. =
szl navy had resgned in great numbers, and Of
--yse resiguiug a large proportion had taken up
arms against the government. simultaneously
and in connection with all this, tho purpose 70
sever the Federal Union was openly avOwed. In
accordance with this purpose, an ordinance had
been adopted in each of those States declaring
the States respectively to be separated from the
National Union = formula for institutiug q
c1nbiaeI government of these States had been
promulgated, and this illegal organization, in
the character of Confederate States. was invok-
ing recognition, aid and intervention from for
eigR powers. Finding this condition Of things,
and beliey ing it to 5e the imperative duty upon
tie incoming Executive TO prevent. if possible,
the consummation Of such attempt to destroy the
Federal Union. a choice Of means TO that end
became indispensable. This choice was made,
and was declared in the Inaugural Address
The policy chosen looked to the exhaustion OF
all peaceful measures before a resort 10 any
stronger ones. 1t sought only to hold the public
places and property not already wrested from
the Government, and to collect the revenue, rely
ing for the rest time discussion and the ballot
box 1t promised continuance of the mails at
Governments expense to the very people who
were resisting the Government, aud it gave re-
peated pledges against any disturbance to any o.
the people of any Of their rights, of all that which
President might c1nstitutionaIly and justifiably
DO in such a case. Everything was f0rborne
without which it was believed possible to keeI
tie government on foot On the fifth OF March
the present incumbent's first full day in office.
letter of Major Anderson, commanding at For
Sumter, written on the 18th Of February, anC
received at the war Department on the 4th 0
March, was By that department placed in hi
hands; this letter expressed the professiOna
opinion of the writer that re-inforcements coulC
not be thrown into that Fort within the time fo
Is relief, rendered necessary by the limited sup
Ply u provisions, and with a view Of holans