Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-01-21

Our Military Strength ana Wenkncaa'
War ia imminent. Gen. Scott has control
of the .. S. Government. War Is his trade
and war now is his counsel. The sword ia
his arbiter, and TO the sword be now looks
Information has passed throughout the
whole country, fro New York to New Or
leans, that two hundred and hfty men are
ordered to the Charleston harb0r for the pur-
pose OF reinforcing the U. S, command at
Fort Sumter.
What is our power TO resist this act Of war,
and what is our danger of failure in the at
tempt2
Fort Moultrie is directly under the guns Of
Fort Sumter We venture little in the as
sertion that It's power to maintain struggle
against Fort Sumter is quite inadequate
The attempt will but make her slaughter
pen OF our best citizens. To what point or
points, and 10 what power are we 70 look for
means Of adequate and efectual warfare and
defence2 Are our redoubts on Morris Island,
and on the east end of Sullivan's Island, at
this moment adequate for the complete pro-
lection ofour harbor against all attacks that can
! now be made against US If not, Wilt be
said that Fort Moultrie can sink any vessel
or war steamers that attempts to come under
her guns2 Granted. But what if such
man-of-War, in attempting to enter our hsr-
ber is brought 70 by the balls from our re-
doubts2 What hinders her from turning
tail, and going 70 sea again with her rein
iorcements2 Win we not have opened war
with the United States2 And will not Ma
jor Anderson be empowered and compelled,
as an officer Of the United States Govern
ment, TO open FIRE on Fort Moultrie2 And
will be not do it2 And can be not entirely
dismantle her in forty-eight houB9 Having
completed his work, what will hinder the
said man-Of-war froma again entering our har-
Dor, and bearing her reinforcements to Fort
Sumpter2 Nothing, surely, but the rength
Of our redoubts, and their ability to sink her.
Are they in a condition TO do it. beyond q
doubt2 We confess to have no accurate mil
itary Information on the point. it may be
so. But if not is there time for delay p
Five, or ten thousand negro laborers can,
and could have been bad. Should not these
points be made our chief reliance Two hun
dred horses (which can be had) can remOve
a large body Of cannon in q day. Two or
FIVE thousand laborers can throw up a large
embankment in twenty-tOur hours. Is not
this the time to do it2 Why should not a.
least thirty cannon be placed at the east end
ofSulliYan's Island It strikes US, mot being
military men, that this is our point and not
Fort Moultrie. Bat if this is not sufficient
why cannot all Of our channels, except Maf-
fits Channel, be blocked up for the time be-
ing? Is it not worth it, to maintain our
power2 VIII it cost money to remove here
after such obstructions2 To be sure it will.
But will it not cost many, many valuable
lives, if it is not done Unless, indeed, the
redoubts We have spoken Of are in a sufficient
state of readiness to protect, beyond a doubt
the harbor from all and any attacks by sea.
Win it not do more? Win it not for the
time, tie our hands, AMI virtually subject US
to the foreign policy and hostile power OF the
United States Government
We have said before, we are not military
men. We have no accurate knowledge on
the subject. We do not intend 10 interfere
with those who have, and whose business it
is to direct such matters. But the condition
Of affairs is urgent. We would simply sug-
gest such ideas as occur 10 US in the emer-
gency, and leave them to 60 for what they
are worth IN all events, let no cost delay
proRlphtude and action.