The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1861-04-13
WHAT IS IT:

for the past ten days, telegraph wires
and newspaper columns have been burdened
with highly wrought sensation items-brea;h-
ing nothing but "war, }" and ''intenss excite
ment." We have neither tho room or incli-
nation to spread the same before our read
ers. For the most part the reports are en-
titled to no credenee whatever, especially
those that pretend to set forth the policy
determined upon by the Administration
They are gotten up BY the highly imagina
tive correspondents of New York papers,
mainly for the purpose of creating sensa.
tior, and gratifying the public taste for
something wonderful, startling and myste-
rious.
Though these reports are to be taken with
a great deal of allowance, they nevertheless
indicate that the Government has at length
worked itself up to sspolicy." That this
end has been reached in the shortest prac-
'icable time, we have not the slightcs, doubt.
Those who have grown impatient and rest
i've, under the "do-nothiDg" policy of the
Administration, should remember the con-
dition every department Of the Government
was left in by Mr.. Buchanan. Traitors fill
ed almost every important post, and it has
required time and much severe labor to
cleanse the Departments Of traitors and
thieves, and to find out the extent of the
resources Of the Government, as we'll as the
amount of damage the good ship had sus-
tained-no less than to determine upon the
proper policy to be pursued, in order to best
repair such damage. We have no doubt
the President has all the time felt that s:in
a great crisis ike this, there was no policy
so fatal as that of having no policy at all.'
1t is doubtless true, as Washington cores
pondent asserts, that while the Newspapers
have been harping upon a want of policy in
the Administration, the President has been
earnestly engaged, day after day, with the
Cabinet and others high 10 the confidence Of
the country, as TO the best mode of meeting
this crisis, and meeting it thoroughly
Great responsibilities like those now inyolv-
ed, which require all the powers under the
constitution to be examined carefully and
calmly, with view to the legal Justification
Of every position that may be assumed, can
not DO determined in q day, and they de-
mand almost cotemporaneous preparation
in all the departments, for certain contin-
gencies which may be accepted.
That the Administration has a "policy,"
is no longer questioned. Whati it That
is an important query, none of the Sensation
correspondents have yet satisfactorily solv-
ed. All agree, however, that it is some.
thing decided. That Old Abe's foot is to
come down "frmly" somewhere. All the
war vessels belonging to the Government
are being fitted for sea. Several have al
ready put to sea, with troops, provisions,
and sealed orders. Boats for expeditiously
landing the troops have been pu. on board
the steamers. In short, the Governments is
doing everything which it would be necessa-
~ to have done, if fight had been deter
mined upon without delay. All is conject-
ure, as vet, in regard to the warliks move
ments of the Government. On one hand it
is confidently asserted that Fort Sumpter is
to be reinforced; while on the other band,
it is as confidently proclaimed that Sumpter
will be evacuated, and that the troops now
at sea are destined for Texas. But, one
thing is certain, there is great activity in
army and navy quarters, resulting from some
determination arrived at by the Administra-
ton In regard TO the present troubles. A
few days will suffice to clear up the mystery,
and reveal to the people the "po!icy' to be
pursued towards the seeded States. In the
meantime, We must be content with the re-
aestion that the Administration has deiber-
asely resolved upon vigorous aud decisive
action. Anything but another day Of inde-
cision, say We.