Smyrna times., 1861-04-04
Sumter Vet.

The Sumpter question has been agiioting
the public mind for the last five weeks. each
day bringing Z" highly important news" which
amount 10 nothing in the end, until the people
ksve commenced to look upon il with seeming
Indifference, not. however, because they feel
no interest in the affairs Of the country, but
because the news effect nothing. The fact
that Maj. Anderson is getting short of provi-
siOns is as perplexing TO the Administration as
that he cannot be supplied without great loss
ofife and meuey-if at all. And there is the
question: whether Anderson shall be reinforced
be made to suffer the terrible results Of what will
fsllOw, or whether the fort shall be given into
the hands of the sscessionists.
Il is urged by the ultra Republicans that it
10 the duty of the Administration TO enforce
she lave; that the forts in the seeding States
must be msintaised, aud that the Government
is weak and fails 10 accomplish the ends for
which il was instituted if it is not done.-
AL persOns-Ihat is, oil lovers of the Union
admit that the Constitution should be the su-
FtNAAS " tohot Suu Auuh OoCutcuCC W
it should be lnforced. In the present case.
however, the question 10 what can be done,
instead Of what should be done. II would be
impossible 10 compel the seeding State to sub.
nil to the laws of the United States. Our
Government has been sustained by the consent
OF the people. not BY military force. This is
iIs Distinguishing feature, and to ignore that
now would be to precipilate us into despo-
Gism equal to Austria.
IL the attempt were made 10 reinforce Moi
Anderson IT is conceded that civil war would
be iaaus IraIsd Any such attempt would be
regarded by the South as the first step towa rds
coercion. So long as this opinion is enter
aiaed by the people OF the South it will only
add 10 their already strong prejudice against
the people Of the North. While ever this
prejudice is kept up aud rekindIed, all hope Of
reconstruction is grOundless. The more the
South IS insulted, or thinks she is, the more
strongly will she adhere to her views and ana
mosllies-like dog, the more she is kicked
the more desperate she becomes.
Brsides, the Secessionists want no better
sonable designs. The 6re-eaters Of the South
haVs been constantly urging upon their breth.
ren thsith Administration, by its continuance
to hold the forts 10 the possession Of the Gov.
eminent and the efforts TO reinforce them, was
IndIetivs OF the war policy Of the North. II
serves al an excellent argument to " FIRE the
Southern heart"
The seeding States can never be forced into
the Union. but may be persuaded. Let theil
people be convinced that the Republicans near
no aggressive policy toward them, which cat
beet be done BY evacustiug the forts. and tn,
Souihsrn COnfedersey will soon be over-Eur
With Union men. The evacuation will prov,
to The South far more than words have beer
able 10 do-ihat the policy OF the President il
peace. They prefer the action to the word
True. they have often been told of his polio,
aud many other things that would alIay Ihei
Tears. By Northern papers and orators, but the,
Rave been told the reverse by those of t1ei
own household" or course they would be
l'sVe the latter in preference to the former
therefore let actions decide.
Bat. above oil, let US aver civil war-a wa
that will accomplish no gOOd-a war dreade,
alike By both sections Il will not bring III
South back, but will, perhaps, result in III
destruction Of both the Union aud the Confed
siaey lfthey canaOt be persuaded back lie
them 60.