, 1861-03-13
Gbitago Gributte'


ton as to the conclusion arrived ut relative
to Fort Sumter. 4 dispatch received at New
York mentions 4 Washington rumor TO the
effect that a messenger had been dispatched
to Charleston with an order to Major An
derson 10 Withdraw his forces. Washing
ton rumors, however, are the most unre]ia-
bic Of all uncertnin things, and but little
importance should be attached to this one.
It may be proper to inquire whether the
evacuation Of Fort Sumter has not become
q military necessity. The late A6minis-
tration suffered the rebels to get posses
sion Of and fortify at their leisure, all the
points commanding Charleston harbor, ex-
cept that fortress; and it, too, would have
long since been IN their possession, but for
the gallant conduct Of Major Anderson.
1t is clear that there is now no way to re-
inforce it except by stratagem or By Sc
we're battle with the rebel forces, and the
taking Of their forts and batteries By
assault Were this successfully achieved,
the so-caled Southern Confederacy
would 1t once pour in thousands
of fresh troops-a thing it could easily do,
because the troops are already under can
yass and close at hand, if needed-and in
+nr- become besiegers Of the United States
G,rces 70 say nothing Of the scale on
uh;c,, 1be war must then Immediately be
prosecuted, it is th<@ opinion OF military
NOV, ,1,o. +1,;e ra o,,,, -'nn Of relieving
Fort Sumter could not now be f. ooen'!s
undertaken with much less than tile whu.
Of The regular army as now authorized By
law Congress adjourned without passing
the Volunteer hill, and so left the present
Administration powerless to raise force
tor this or any other purpose. The regu-
lar army is scattered all over our broad
country, and cannot be concentrated with
out great delay, and could only then be
done at the cost Of leaving our frontier
wholly unguarded.
The necessity, if it exists, Of Withdraw
ing Major Anderson from the post he has
so nobly held, is humliating one, but it
arises from. no neglect Of duty
or imbecility of the Republican Ad-
ministration- 1t is part Of the legacy left
by the Buchanan dynasty.
The ideaappears to have gained currency
that the same necessity which would nov
seem to justify the evacuation Of For
Sumter, will in time require the abandon
1nent of Fort Pickens, and the forts ut tlle
Tortugas and Key West. Wee not SO IN
derstand it. These forts may still be held
without any difficulty; and so retain cont
mand Of the Cult, SO lar as wenecd it for tht
enforcement oft the revenue laws. They arr
in the conditien-thanks to the energetic
and patriotic officers III commando,
which Buchanan ought 10 have put thos'
at Charleston; and they can be Feached l1J
sea and reinforced and proyisioned as ne
cessity may require, TLisis certainly tru'
of the forts at the Tortugas and Key West
which are necessary 10 the command ofth'
Gulf; aud from ali that VIE can learn O
Fort Pickens, We think it will provo tTus
of that also.
Of Mr. Lincoln's determination to exc
cute the laws and sustain the authority 0
the Government, to the utmost extent @
the means at his command, there can b.
no doubt; and if the vlndication Of ou
national dignity be not SO speed.
IS we had hoped, VIC can still afford t
wait in full confidence Tor the ultimate tri
umph Of the right In 10 event will Fol
Sumter be abandoned unless in the face Q
an fnexorable military necessity.
Since writing the foregoing, later ad
vices have been received from Washing
ft,1, kanfradietino tf1. ctateuant tlat