The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-04-10
The War Policy or the AdmfnfstratI on
md the Probable Consequences.

md the Probable Consequences.
Civil war is close at hand. The news that it
has been inaugurated in q bloody conflict at
Charleston may reach us at any moment. Lieu
tenant Talbot of Fort Sumter, on his return
journey to Major Anderson, has been detained
at Charleston 50 that the instructions which he
carries to that officer are cut off, Thus the gal
liant Major will be left to his own discretion,
although, from the signal lights which nightly
now he displays from his stronghold it would
appear that he expects relief, and is prepared
to cooperate with any relieving force that may
show itself at the entrance of the harbor. 1t
also appears that the effort will surely be made,
under the flag of the United States, to run the
gauntlet of the hostile forts and batteries which
must be passed to reach Fort Sumter, and it is
morally certain that any such attempt will re-
suit in bloody conflict or in the ignominious
retreat of our relieving squadron.
We are not disposed to conjecture that
mere pretence of relief to Major Anderson
is the policy of Mr.. Lincoln. Our warlike
republican contemporaries of this city, es-
pecially the terrible Horace Greeley, as
sure us that the administration is in earnest
in this matter, and henceforward abandons
the thankless policy of forbearance and indul-
gence with "rebels and traitors" The coun-
try has been deceived, Wall street has been
overreached, the secessionists themselves have
tons and professions of the government at
Washington, and particularly by its doleful
confessions of the necessity Of evacuating Fort
Sumter. With relieving squadron en- route to
that point, we are admonisbed of the necessity
of holding that position, and Of the duty of re-
lieving it, even at the hazard of war; and we
are further advised that this has been the de-
lberate and innexible purpose of Mr. Lincoln
from the beginning.
Anticipating, then, the speedy Inauguration
of civil war at Charleston at Pensacola, or in
Texas or, perhaps, at all these places, the in
quiry is forced upon us, What will be the pro-
bable consequences? We apprehend that they
will be: first, the secession Of Virginia and the
other border slave States, and their union with
the Confederate States; secondly, the orgauha-
ton Of an army FOR the removal of the United
States ensign and authorities from every for
tress or public building within the limits Of
the Confederate States, including the White
House, the Capitol, and other public build
ings at Washington. After the secession Of
Virginia from the United States, 1t is not
likely that Maryland can be restrained from
TIE same decisive act. She will follow the for
tunes Of Virginia, and will undoubtedly claim
that in Withdrawing from the United States, the
District OF Columbia reverts into her possession
under the supreme rights Of revolution. Here
we have verge and scope enough for civil
war Of five, ten or twenty years duration.
What fort To "show that VIC have govern
ment-to show that the seeded States are
still in our Union, and are still subject to its
laws and authorities. This is the fatal mistake
Of Mr. Lincoln, and his Cabinet, and his party.
The simple truth, patent To all the world, is,
that the seeded States are out Of our Union. and
80 c-..nized under an independent govern.
ment Of their own. The authority Of the United
States within the borders of this Independent
'ontederacy has been completely superseded.