The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-03-27
Fort Sunpter.

Without doubt, before another day, Fort
Sumpter will have been evacuated. This is
military measure, having necessarily no political
significance. 1t is abandoned for the reason that
it is untenable, and the step means no more than
that during the administration of Buchanan,
South Carolina was allowed to plant hostile bat
teries 90 near to the Fort that it became impos-
sible to supply, or to reinforce it.
The first military talent of the day in our own
country, General Scott and others, having been
called to sit in the Cabinet Counsels, declare the
impracticability Of reinforcing Fort Sumpter with
men, and Of giving her supplies. OF course the
only alternative is to withdraw Col. Anderson
and his men. Such being the causes which lead
to the abandonment of Sumpter. Let US look at
the effects.
The measures of Withdrawing Anderson will
not be rejoiced over by the seceeding States
1t weakens secession. Secession pants for pre-
text of blood Peace stiles secession, as snake
dies in an exhausted receiver. The atmosphere
of secession is violence, and every southern man
Who denOunces violence, is himself denounced.
The Albany Journal comments upon the Charles
ton Mercurys views of Bells Union speech:
The Charleston Mercury publishes a letter
from Washington which, after denouncing Bell
for his patriotic adherence to the Union, and as
sumes that, through him "the chains will be
riveted on the Border States" proceeds to say !:
"This involves a cad necessity, Civil War be-
gins in Virginia and Tennessee. We had hoped
to avoid so terrible calamity, but it has been
forced on US. 1t has taken some time for the
resistance party to make up its mind to this dire
necessity; but what must be, will be- There
we're tories and traitors 10 vanqush in &c. Our
fathers took up arms against all corners. Shall
We be less valient? Heaven Forbid"
1t is evident that the traitors are becoming
"irrepressibly wrathful against the inhexible
patriotic Union men of the Border States. They
ore beginning to hate them worse than they ever
hated the Black Republicans of the north,
and are heaping upon them all the epithets usu-
ally reserved for those this side of the line.
Such threats as are embodied in the foregoing
extract, are now quite common. 1t is good
sign. II shows that the traitors despair of draw
ing true men away from their allegiance, or of
inducing them to share in the disgrace and ruin
which must inevitably, sooner or later, fall upon
the fratricides who have served Union hallow.
ed BY the blood and memories of the Fathers
II there is to be civil war, let it "begin in
Virginia and Tennessee" There are true men
there, ready to try the issue Of loyalty and justice
With the madmen who thus threaten them. But
If begun there it will not end there. May Heav-
en- avert civil war every where. Nevertheless
IL il be inevitable, fearful will be the retribution
which viii fall upon the heads of those who have
provoked it.
"Tories and traitors" forsoo;h! Where are
they % be found, in such naked masses, As in
chose States which have foresworn their allegi-
ance to the Republic Of Washington, Jefferson
and their compeers: Where has patriotism ev-
q been 70 prostituted? Where has perjury ever
found such ready disciples: The stories and
traitors" Of the Revolution had the apology
= early memories and associations. Those of
to-day ignore al the recognised claims of patri-
esism, and 10 crafty . long cherished spirit of
revenge and vaulting ambition, fire the temple
reared upon the graves OF their fathers!
These sentiments are given out to drive the