The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-02-13
nanaral snntt's Views.

paper D0tEl III the puDIc prints abt - l1N
and some misrepresentation Of its character having there
by got abroad We have obtained copy OF 1t Tor pael
cation in order that readers may see what II IS
They will find in it fresh evidence Of the veteran
generals devotion to his country as citizen and OF his
forecast as a soldier.
Views suggested by the imminent danger October
90 lS6O OF disruption Of the Union by the secession
OF more OF the southern States
To save time the right of secession may be conceded
and instantly balanced by the eoreative right on the
part of the federal government against an interior
State or States to reestabsh by force II necessary It's
former continuity of territory Paiey's Moral ana
Political Philosophy last chapter.
But break this glorious Union by whatever line or
lines that political madness may contrive and there
would be hope of reniting the fragments except py
the laceraton and despotism of the sword 10 effect
such result the intestine of our Mexican
would in comparison with ours sink into mere chlds
play.
smaller evil would be to allow the fragments of the
great republic to form themselves into new confedera-
cies, probably four.
Ali the lines Of deinarkaion between the new Unions
cannot be accurately drawn in advance, bus many OF
them approximately may Thus, looking to the natural
boundaries and commercial atfntes, some OF tAe Iol-
lowing frontiers after many waYenngs ana cohhlctS,
might perhaps become acknowledged and fixed
l. The Potomac river and the Chesapeake bay to the
Atlantic o From MARYLAND, along the crest OF the
Allegheny (perhaps the Blue Ridge range OF mountains
to some point in the coast of Florida j. The ne from
say the head of the Potomac to the west or northwest
which it will be most difficult to settle A. The crest Oh
the Rocky mountains
The south east conederaey wond, lnfl human pFoo't
bitv in less than five years after therupture, hndltse
bounded by the first and second lines indicated above
the Atlantic and the gulf of Mexico, Wllts capai at
say Columbia, South Carolina. The country between
the second third and fourth of these lines would be
yond doubt in about the time constitute another
conederacv with its capital probably Alton orQuincyl
Illinois The boundaries Of the Pacific Union are the
most definite Of all, and the remaining States would
constitute the northeast conederacv with its capital at
Albany.
Il At the first thought will be considered strange that
seven sIaveholding States and parts Of Virginia and
Florida should be placed above) in new contederaey
with Ohio Indiana, Illinois, &c But when the over
wheming weight of the great northwest IS taken IN
eonpexion with the laws of the trade, congulty OF
territory and the comparative indifference TO tFeesol
doctrines on the part OF western Virginia. Kentucky,
Tennessee aud Missouri il is evident that but little II
auy coercion beyond moral force, would be needed TO
embrace them; and have omitted the temptation OF
the uuwasted public lands which would tall entire to
this confederacy-an appanage (we husbanded) sutI-
cept for many generations As 10 Missouri Arkansas
and Mississippi. they would not stand cut month
louisiana would coaescc without much solicitation and
Alabama with west Florida, would be conquered the
first winter from the absolute need OF Pensacola for
naval depot
IfImight presume to address the south and particu
Iarr dear Virginia-being native here and to the man
or born"-I would affectionately ask, will not your
slaves be less secure and their labor less profitable
under the new order of things than under the old:
/ Could you employ probably two hundred slaves IN
Nebraska, Ave hundred in all new Mexico? The right
then to take them tbither would be barrenrght And
/ is it not wise 10
sRather bear theis we have
Than fly to others that we know not OFF,
/ The declaration Of independence proclams and con
socrates the same maxim: Prudence, indeed, will die
tate that governments long established should not BIZ
changed for light and transient causes And PaleY toe
laws down as a fundamental maxim of craftsmanship
never to pursue national honor distinct from ma
ona interest" but adds This rule acknowledges tina
it is often necessary to assert the honor OF nation to
i the sake OF its interests.
The excitement that threatens secession is caused by
the near prospect Of a republicans election 10 tht
presidency From the sense of propiietv, as soldier
I have taken part in the pending canvass, and, al
always heretofore, to stay away from the polls
NV sYmpathes however with the Bell and Everett
ticket With Mr.. Lincoln have had no communication
whatever direct indirect and have recollection
ever having his person; but cannot believe any un
constitutional violence breach OF law is to be appre
hended from his administration OF the federal govern
ment.
From knowledge of our southern population it il
my solemn conviction that there is some danger Of al
early act of rashness preliminary secession, viz thu
seizure of some Of all the following posts Forts jackson
and St. Philip in the Mississippi below New Orleans
both without garisons; fort Morgan, below Mobile
without a garrison: forts Pckens and McKee, Pensaco
harbor with insufficient garrison for one fort Pulaski
below Savannah without garrison; forts Moultrie ant
Sumter Charleston haTbor the former with an INSULT
Gent garrison, and the latter without any; and for
Monroe Hampton roads without sufficient garrison
In my opinion all these works should be Immediately 81
garrisoned to make any attempt to take any one
nv culrriSG de main rptfguOuS.
With the army faithful to its allegiance and the nav
probably equally So and with federal executive, 70
the next twelve months of frmness and moderation
which the country has right to eXpect-moderatiol
being element of power not less than iirmness-ther
is good to hope that the DANCE" Of secesonna
be made to pass away without conflict of arms on
execution, or one arrest for treason.
In the meantime it is suggested that exports Shout
remain as free at present. all duties, however o.
imports collected toutsde Of the cities, y such re
cepts would be needed for the national debt, inyaii
pensions &c. and only articles ,contraband Of b
refused admittance But this refusal would
unnecessary as the foregoing views esehew the idea
invading a seeded State. WINFIELD SCOTT
OCTOBER 30, 1860
*In forts or on board ships-ofwar. The great all
aud object of this plan to gain time-say eight
ten months-to await expected measures of eonciiao
on the part of the norhy and the subsistence of angr
e feelings in the opposite quarter
Lieut. general Scots respects to the secretary of VIZ
/ to say
That a copy of his ''yiews, &C." was dispatched t
the president yesterday, in great haste; but the COP
intended for the secretary, better transcribed Ger
with, was not in time for the mail. General S. wou
be happy if the latter could be substituted for ii
= former.
1t WILDE seen that the views" only apply to ca;
of secession that makes gap in the present Union
f The falling off (sayl of Texas, of all the Aant
: States, from the Potomac SOUTH not within tt
scope of general SIS provisional remedies.
: 1t is his opinion that instructions should be given
once the commanders of the Barancas forts Mour
and Monroe, to be their guard against surprise
eoups de MAN. As to regular approaches nothing CT
be said or done, at this time, without volunteers.
There is one rsgular) company at Boston, one her
lat the Narrows one at Pttsburg at Augusta Ga
q and one at Baton Rouge-in all five companies onl
f within reach, to garrison reinforce the forts me
q toned in the views"
General Scott in all socitude for the safety of Il
), Union He is however not without hope that all da
c gers and difficulties will pass away without leaving
: scar or painful recollection behind.
;. The secretary's most obedent servant
l. OCTOBER go 1860 VS.