Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-07-10
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
DELIVERED JULY 5th 1861, AT AN
EXTRA SESSION OF CONGRESS.

HOuSe Of Representatives,:
Having been convened on an extraordi-
nary occasion, as authorized by the Con-
Stitutiou, your attention is not called to
any ordinary subject Of legislation. At
the beginning of the present Presidential
term, four months ago, the functions of
the Federal government were found u
be generally suspended within the several
States of South Carolina, Georgia, Alaba.
ma, Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida,
excepting only those of the Post Office
Department. Within these States, the
forts, arsenals dockyards, custom house
and the like, including the movable and
stationary property in and aboat them,
had been seized and, were held in open
hostility to this Government, excepting
only forts Pckens. Taylor and Jefferson
or and near the Florida coast, ard Fort
Sumter in Charleston harbor, South Car
olina. The forts thus seized had been
put in nm improved condition, new ones
had been built, and armed forces had
been organized and were organizing all
avowedly with some hostile purpose. The
forts remaining in the possession of the
Federal Government in and near those
States we're either bcs!eged or meuaCcd
by warlike preparations, and especially
Fort Sumter was nearly surrounded by
well protected hostile batteries, with guns
equal in quality to the best Of its own,
and outnumbeiing the latter rs perhaps
ten to one. A dispropoItionntc share Of
the Federal muskets and rifles had someS
how found their way into those States,
and has been seized to be used against the
government. Accumulat!ons Of the pub
lie revenue lying within them had been
seized for the same object. The navy vas
scattered in distant seas, leaving but q
very small part of it within the immedi-
ate reach OF the government. Officers Of
the Federal army and navy had resigned
in great numbers, and of those resigning
large proportion had taken up arms
against the government. simultaneously
and in connection with all this, the pur-
pose to sever the Federal Union was open
( ly avowed. In accordance with this pur-
pose an ordinance had been adopted in
each Ct these States declaring the States
respectively separated from tde Nation
al Union. A formula institutng combi-
ned government of these States had been
promulgat and this illegal organization
in the character OF the Confederate States
was already invoking recognition, aid anG
Intervention from foreign powers. Find
! ing this condition of things, and believing
it TO be an imperative duty on the incom'
ing Executive to prevent, if possible, the
contamination of such attempts to des-
troy the Federal Union, n choice of means
to that end became indispensable. This
choice was male and was declared in Tho
( inaugural address. The policy chosen
looked to the exhaustation of ali peaceful
measures before 4 resort to any stronger
ones. 1t sought only to hold the public
places and property not already wresteC
from the government and to collect the
revenue, relying for the rest on time, dis.
cussion and the ballot box. It promised
a continuance Of the mails at government
expense to the very people who were re
Isisting the government, and it gave re,
peated pledges against any disturbance tc
any of the people, or any of their rights
fall that which President might con.
stiLutionally and iustfiab!y do in such q
case. Everything was :orborne. without
which it was believed possible to keer
the government on foot.
On the fifth Of March, the present in
cunbent's first full day in office a letter
of Major Anderson, commanding at Fort
Sumter, written on the 2Sth of February
and received mt the War Department, on
the 4th OF March was, by that department
placed in his hands. This letter express
cd the professional opinion of the writer
that renlo-cements could not be thrown
into that fort within the time for his re,
lief rendered necessary by the, limited
supply Of provisions and with a view oI