The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1861-03-21
THURsDAY::::::::::::::::::;:::::::::::NARCH y
The Evacuation effort Sumter.

the United States troops from Fort sum-
ter, says the New York Independent, fash
ing by telegraph all over the land, has
profoundly affected the public mind of the
country. This lowering Of the national
flag in the face of the traitorous bands
that beleaguer it-this conspicuous and
undeniable confession Of defeat by the
National Gcvernment-this surrender Of
post SO important and so strong to the
revolutionary Government which now
rules at the South-it is, to say the least,
immensely unfortunate that such should
be the first prominent public act of the
new Republican Administration. We have
all confidence ia the wisdom and the man
hood Of the gentlemen who constitute this
Administration. Their fidelity to Freedom
is altogether unquestionable. We know
that they have had the whole case before
them, while We see only its more obvious
features. The mature Judgment of Gen
eral Scott should be of right most influ-
ential, if not indeed controlling element,
in their deliberations. And if it has be-
come, as is now alleged, military neces-
sity-there being no longer any possibility
OF Reinforcing the fort, and the alterna-
tive to surrender being simply the speedy
starvation of the garrison-then the event
is not only to be submitted to, as Death
itself must be when it comes, but it is to
beatt rlbuted to the late Administration,
which neglected It's duty when it might
have been performed, not to the present
one, which had no possible chance of per-
forming it.
But the fullest explanations will be
needed to satisfy the patriotic and resolute
men who compose the great mass of the
voters at the North that such necessity
has existed. They will demand to know,
they have right TO be informed, on what
basis the persistent representations Of Ma
jor Anderson that he needed no further
supplies, have been founded And they
will claim to know at least that the various
modes of reaching and re-enforcing the
fort which have at different times been
suggested, and which hundreds of men
have been ready to take part in, have been
severally considered, and proved imprac-
ticable, before they will be satisfied that
so signal and stupendoas sacrifice should
have been made, of the dignity, prestige
and strength of the Government Unless
it shall be plainly shown that its hands were
not manacled only, but really paralyzed by
circumstances, the Indignation will be
well-nigh universal that this key to the
gate OF South Carolina should have thus
been relinquishcd.
The effect of this surrender On the minds
OF foreign nations can hardly be over-esti-
mated. Their prompt recognition of the
Southern Contederacy whose path has been
so early strewn with a succession of tri-
umphs, is hardly too large or too important
result to follow logically from it. Its
effect at home, unless counteracted by
prompt, wise and efficient action in other
quarters and different direction, cannot
fail to be disastrous. 1t is the most un-
expected and prodigious national humilia-
ton known to our history. 1t seems to
offer license to rebellion, and to put the
largest premium upon treason. Unless it
be speedily followed by measures positive
and emphatic, in distinct affirmation of
the rights, purposes and power Of the
Government, we shall have no longer am
Government, except Cor such as are too
lazy TO question it. or too timid to with
stand the most empty of mcnaces. There
will be nothing left for insurrection to
fear; nothing left for patriotism to cling
TO. The old Gag viii trail in the dust SO
that the very swine may run ever it. Our
national airs will become the merest Sou
venirs. The Revolutionary blood will be
shown to have turned to the thinnest of
milk in our degenerate veins. We had
better bow down all at once 10 the Hot
spurs at Montgomery, and entreat the
congress there assembled to let us come
in.o tho iaanlier and more stalwart con.
fedeYaey which they have inangurated-
An immense responsibility viii rest upon