Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-03-14

p It is reported and possibly with truth, probably
with certainty that Lncons cabinet of which General
Scott appears to be aleadng though unofficial member
has decided to withdraw the troops from Fort Sumpter
for the simple reason that they can't help Themselves
Major Anderson has not bread and salt for than
two weeks, and the best military authorities agree that
ten to fifteen thousand men, by aud land would be
required to reinforce him. This force nor one tenth
part OF could not be concentrated in time to save Fort
Sumter to the Federal Government.
&c. at present. there will be no bloodshed in Charles
ton harbor. This, however, implies no recognition OF
the Conederated States, of the right of secession
nor does it imply any abandonment of the policy of CO.
ercon, policy. In war, withdrawal of troops from
unenabe position for military reasons is no decara-
ton of peace The handful of men in Sumpter may be
withdrawn not from any desire withdraw them nor
from any acknowledgment of the right to demand their
withdrawal with any pledge not to renew the at
tempt to hold occupy, possess" etc, but simply from
want of the present physical power available for the
purpose of carrying out the corye designs of the party
ard section who now rule this country down to the
South Carolina and Mississippi line.
But suppose that Lncoln's Cabinet should acknow-
ledge the nderen 4ence of the Confederate States how
would North Carolina stand? All parties claimed
guarantees all talked about the Crittenden compromise
and some must have been in earnest But suppose the
Confederated States fully acknowledged and no war
on hand, we would be what we never were before
Border State. We would be as we never were be-
fore-under Black Republican sectional rue, with no
guarantees but the higher law" with such diminished
representation in both Houses of Congress TO be
wholly weak and powerless-livDg under the name of a
constitution yet under the reality of the Chicago plat
form. What guarantee has the Southern States OBJ
tanned in ang way? Where is the Crttenden PROPOSE
ton gone REJECTED! Where the Peace Con-
gress propositions? Not even taken up in Congress
G. all! What security onsearth h"re got, that,
enfeebed diminished, the agend of hostile Confeder-
acy stand most in need of some substantial guaran
| tees? None on Carth-not one-not single one
We haze got tariff that will grind to death but
say the apoOgss of Lincoln, Who is oppressed by the
Federal Government? Who indeed, but railroad
lines struggling nto existence, the cost Of whose iron is
enormously enhanced Who but the user OF every man.
ulactured article upon which enormous bonus is
levied for the benefit of Connecticut, Massachusetts
New York and Pennsylvania Free Soil manufacturers
Do people who ask these questions, who assume that
nobody is hurt by these sectional tariffs think that
the people ae fools they must 60 SO, aud they pre-
extensively upon that superstition. The question
is not now how the Conederated States stand towards
the Washington Cabinet The question is How does
North Carolina stand To what lame and impotent
conclusion would submission bring all our talk and
all cur demands for final settlement. Yet what does
the refusal to call Convention, If persevered ill., amount
to- or what inference will friends foes draw from it
| but abect unconditional Observation-Disclosures sc
absolute as not even to avail itself Of the chance for
| monstrance?