Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-01-25

imputaton on the patriotism of Congress to as.
sert that Its members will hesitate moment
Even now the danger is upon US. In several
States which; have not yet seeded, the forts,
arsenals and magazines of the United States
have been seized. This is by far the most Sc
rious step which has been taken since the com.
mencement of the troubles. This public prop
erty has long been left without garrisons and
troops for its protection, because no person
douted its security under. the flag of the coun-
try in any State OF the Union, Besides, our
small army has scarcely been sufficient to
guard our remote frontiers against Indian in
cursions. The seizure of this property, from
all appearances, has been purely aggressive,
and not in resistance to any attempt ito coerce
State or States to remain in the Uuion. At
the beginning of these unhappy troubles de.
termined that no act of mine should increase
the excitement in either section of the country.
If the political conflict were to end in civil war,
it was my determined purpose not 10 commence
it, nor to furnish an excuse for,it, by an act of
the government. My opinion remains un-
changed, that justice, as we'll as sound policy,
requires us still to seek a peaceful solution
of the questions at issue between the North
and the South. Entertaining this conviction,
refrained even from sending reinforcements to
Major Anderson, who commanded the forts of
Charleston harbor, until an absolute necessity
for doing so should make itself apparent, lest It
might be regarded as q menace of military
coercion, and thus furnish provocation, or, at
least, a pretext, for an outbreak, on the part of
South Carolina. No necessity for these rein
forcements seemed to exist. I was assured by
distinguished upright gentlemen, Of South Car
olina, that no attack on Maj ,r Anderson was 10
tened; but that, on the contrary, it was the de-
sire Of the State authorities, as much as II was
my own, to avoid the fatal const quences which
must eventually follow a military collision
Here deem 1t proper to submit for your nror-
nation copies oil a communication dated Decem.
Der 70. le6O, addressed to me by r. w. Barn.
we'll, J. II Adams and James l.. Orr, Commis-
sioners Of South Carolina, with the accompany
ing documents, and copies of my answer thereto,
dated Desember 81. In further explanation of
Major Anderson's removal from Fort Moultrie
to Fort Sumpter, it is proper to sta o that after
my answer to the South Carolina Commission.
ers, the War department received a letter from
that gallant officer, dated December 81, 1860,
the day alter his movement, from which the fol.
lowing is an extract;
81 viii! add, as my opinion, that many things
convinced me that the authorities of the State
designed to proceed to hostile act evidently
referring to the orders dated December IL, Of
the late Secretaryof War. Under this impres.
sion could not hesitate that it was my solemn
duty to move nv command from fort which
we could not prbably have held longer than
forty eight or sixty hours, to this one, where nv
power OF resistance is increased to very great
degree"
1t will be recollected that the concluding part
OF the order was in the following words:
"The smalness Of your force, will not permit
you, perhaps, to occupy more than one of the
three forts, but an attack on, or attempt to take
possession of either one of them, will be regard
ed as an act OF hostility, and you may then put
youc command into either of them which YOU
may deem most proper to increase its power of
resistance. You are also authorized to take
similar defensive steps whenever you have tan.
gible evidence OF a design to proceed to an hos.
| tile act"
lt Is said that serions apprehensions are to
some extent entertained, in which | do not
share, that the peace of this District may be dis.
tutbed before the 4Ih Of March next In any
event 1t will be my duty to preserve it, and
this duty shall be performed.
| In conclusion, it may be permitted me to re-
mark, that lIbaveEoften warned my countrymen
OF the dangers which now surround US. This
may be the last time shall refer to the subject
officially. feel that my duty has been faith
fully, though it may be imperfsctly performed
and whatever the result may be, I shall carry
to my grave the consciousness, that at least
meant we'll + my country.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
WARRINGTON Cry, Jan. 8, 1861.