Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1861-01-19


and harmony can be produced, is surely
not unattainable. The proposition to COM
promise by letting the North have exclu-
sive control of the territory above a certain
line, and to give southern institutions pro-
lection below that line, ought to receive
universal appreciation. In itself, indeed,
it may not be entirely satisfactory; but
when the alternative is between reason.
able concession on both sides and a de-
struction Of the Union, it is an imputation
upon the patriotism of Congress to assert
that its members will hesitate for mo-
ment.
| Even now the danger is upon us. In
several of the States which have not yet
seeded, the forts, arsenals, and maga-
zines of the United States, have been
seized. This is by far the most serious
step which has been taken since the COM
mencement of the troubles This public
property has long been left without gar
risons and troops for its protection be-
cause no person doubted its security under
the flag of the country in any State of the
Union. Besides, our small Army has
scarcely been sufficient to guard our re-
mote frontiers against Indian incursions
The seizure of this property, from all ap.
pearances, has been purely aggressive,
and not in resistance to any attempt to
coerce a State or States to remain in the
! Union.
AT the beginning of these unhappy
troubles, determined 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 to commence
it, nor even to furnish any excuse for it by
any act of this government. My opinion
remains unchanged, that justice, as well as
sound policy, requires us still to seek a
peaceful solution Of the questions at issue
between the North and South. Entertain
ing this conviction, | refraincd even from
sending rcinforcemcnts to Major Ander-
son, who commanded the forts in Chrrles-
ton harbon, until an absolute necessity for
doing so should make itself apparent, lest
il might unjustly be regarded as n menace
of military coercion and thus furnish, if
not prov ocation. at least prctcxt for an
outbreak on the part of South Carolina
No necessity for these reinforcemente
seemed to exist.
was assured by distinguished and up
right gentlemen from South Carolina, thai
no attack on Major Anderson was intended
but that on the contrary it was the desire
of the State authorities, as much as it wa'
my own, to avoid the fatal consequence
!, which must inevitably follow miiitar,
collision.
And here 1 deem it proper to submit
for your information, copies of commun-
r ication dated the 2eth of December, 1850
addressed to me by r w Rarnwan. ]
III. Adams and James L. Orr, Commiss
f ioncrs from South Carolina, with accom-
= panying documents and copies of m
: answer thereto, dated the 3lst of Decem
: Der.
Q The further explanation Of Major An
derson's removal from Fort Moultric
e Fort Sumptcr, it is proper to state thai
c after my answer to the South Carolin
t Commissioners, the War Department re
=. ceived letter from that gallant Officer
dated on the 9th of December, 1850, 9TH
!, day after the movement,) from which I'll
n following is an extract;--
It ~ will add, as my opinion, that man
things convinced me that the authorlti'
;. of the State designed to proceed to hos
;. tile act"
Il Evidently referring to the orders, date
G December IL, of the late Secretary
% War.
Il "Undor this impression, I could N
:, hesitate that it was my solemn duty
&c move my command from fort which '
D. could not probably have held longer th'
e. fcrty eight or sixty hours, to this on
:. where my power OF resistance is increase
~ to very great degree
" will be rccollected that the concludi1
:, part of these orders was in the follow
!, tcrms:
T "Thc smallncss of your force will I
permit you, perhaps, to occupy more tn
one of the three forts; but an attack
ht or attempt to take possession ofoither
r. of them will be regarded as an act
,st hostility, and you may then put yc
No command into either of them which J
~ may deem most proper to increase its po
'n er of resistance. You are also authori'
&c, to take similar defensive steps whene
to you have tangible evidence of a design
Mt proceed 70 hostile act.