The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-02-28
DENT AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA COM
MlSSICNERS.

MlSSICNERS
WASHINGTON, Feb. q, 1891.
The majority Of the Select Committee of Five--MesmJ
Howard, OF Michigan, Dawes, Of Massachusetts,, and
Tobn II Reynolds of New York-nade report &c the
House. through the last nsraod gentleman relative to tbe
between tho Presdcn. and the South Ca
rolna Commissioners, who had for the object of their
mission Ithcr demand the government for thede-
livery of Fort Sumter the authorities OF that State
TheCo.amttee say consseinp the position assumed by
the President his annual message in respect 70 the
rieh Of to withdraw from the Union, and the To-
a absence of power the part of the Excssve to
cognise tho validity of any such attempt, they
hut regard the mission taelf well the manner in
which has been treated By the PRECEDENT among tire
tDost remarkable eveuts o. the extraordinary tee in
Gbich live.
Under full conviction that there Ia not the slightest
encouragement to secession the committee cannot per-
csive what principle the President has assumed
10 entertain hold Official communication
of toe character disclosed with the representatives of
south Carolina, for it 70 the committee obvious
enough that under the principle announced In the
pual message, the gentlemen Of the camssion acting
the sanction Of dsioya Stat could be regarded
iu other light that engaged IN revolutioDary Of
fort the government and being regarded
il would appear 10 have been the plain duty Of the
Executive 70 enforce the iaws asanst any individuals
however eminent and respectable, known suspected
d conpicity in any movement Of reasonable cha
F1cser.
under which the President would have been jcs
ted In entertaining diplomatic intercourse with south
aroma "a nef present aituae " tne Rsnera govern,
meat except upon the assumption ha by the action Of
Of ber authorities che had succeeded establishing tie
position OF an independent power, owing no duty what
ever 10 the government Of the Unsod States
The reception Of such communication by the Preei-
dent under such circumstances, and according 1t tho
dignity Of an official reply involves 70 some extent re-
cognon Of tie assumed position OF the receious State
The committee are not prepared 70 give their sanction
any act Of the Executive Department which n express
tn
sbe ades aud abetors Of secession n any State OF the
Union any other aspect than that Of traitors TO the
constitution Of the United States.
The committee ray they are not able to resist the in
erebce that the beginning Of tho revolutionary
cxremay friendly character between those who
templaed rebellion and those whose duty was 70 sup
prefs ~.
rhe minority report, made by John Cochrane, takes
the ground, thai by reference 10 the public
sages OF the President, SO far from his having ad
ntted the Commissioners from any seeded State
diplomatic intercourse he explicitly refused do So
and rigdly guarded against the presumption He
received them otherwise than disting citizens
and the only OF the question being presented TO
Congress appears from the report was this refusal Of
he President and be reference OF the whole question TO
that body Tho correspondence shows that the Com
Esioncrs stated, reference to this attitude OF the
President that they felt special so,citude 10 tho
character ia which the President might recognise them
rbe report sAya that the whole eof the pub
shed oorresrcaeaoe wi be impoesibs 70 detect tho
most uifng deviation frc the evident anRnaciatok BY
the President IN o Congress, at lite opening,
IL hs inteution 70 defend the Union with the whole
pow.r Of the government, and to conserve ts rights
with all constitutional vigor The ardent
epirstons of uncaloulang zeal bave denounced as
tmldity these dictates Of pobriey Repusive mpctpc
oety has derided them, and ,he ungeDerous impulses
pova hostility have visited nIon them the lnvectves
of acrmoious controversy Bus the sober OF the
public will inevitably prevail over these Fictitious stmu
sus Of faction and dseord and ultimately will be re
cngnzed and acknowledged the pnceceD which pslates
he shock Of dsunion by the preservation cf peace,
~hco preserves from desolstion by barrcafiHg the
paths Of blood and the for Cancellation,
compromise aBd adjustment, by the counses OF modera
ton and peace