The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1861-07-18
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

on an extraordinary occasion authorized by the
Constitution, your attention IS not called to
any ordinary subject of legislation. 1T the
beginning of the Presidential term, four months
ago, the functions of the Federal Government
were found to be generally suspended within
the several states Of South Carolina, Georgia,
Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida
excepting only those Of the Post Office Depart
ment. Within these SStes ali the forts, ar
senals, dock-yards, custom houses and the Ike
had been seized and were held in open hostili-
ty to this Government, ezcep ting only forts
Pickens, Taylor and Jefferson, on and hear
the Florida coast. and Fort Sumpter in Char
lesion Harbor, South Carolina. The forts
thus seized had been put in improved condi-
ton. New ones had been built and armed
forces lad been organized and were organi-
zing, all avowedly with the same hostile pur-
pose. The forts remaining in the possession
Of the Federal Government in and near these
States were either beseiged or menaced by
warlike preparations, and especially Fort
Sumpter, which was nearly surrounded by
weIl-pruiected hostile batteries with guns
equal IL quality 10 the best of It's own, and
numbering the latter as perhaps ten 10 one.
4 Lisproportionate share Of the Federal mus
kets and rifles had somehow found thcir way
into these States and had been seized TO be
used against the Government Accommodations
Of the public revenue lying within them, had
been seized for the same object. The navy
was scattered in distant seas, leaving but
very small part OF il within the immediate
reach of the Government. Officers of the
Federal army AID navy resigned in great num-
bers. and oE those resiguiDg large number
had taken up arms against the Government
simultaneously and IN connection with all
this. the purpose 10 sever the Federal tniOn
was openly ayowed. In accordance with this
purpose an ordinance had been adopted IN
each of these States declaring the States re-
Il A..lF f.. NJ
Union. Il formula for iust!tutng Il combined
Government Of these States had been promul-
gated, and this Illegal organization in the
character of Confederate States already
invoking recognition, aid, and intervention
from foreign Powers.
Finding this coalition OF things, and be-
lieying il to be an imperative duty upon the
incoming Executive 10 prevent, if possible,
the consummation of such attempt 70 destroy
the Federal Union, choice of means to that
end became indispensable. This choice WAS
made, and was declared III the Inaugural Ad-
dress. The policy chosen looked to The eXhGuS
ton of all peaceful meas ures before a resort
to any stronger ones. 1t sought only to hold
the public places and property already
wrested from the Government, and to collect
the revenue, relying for the rest time, dis
cussion and the ballot-bOx 1t promised a
continuance of the mails, at the Governments 5
expense. to the very people who We're resis
ting the Government, and It gave repeated
pledges against any disturbances to any of
the people or any of their rights. OF all that
which n President might constitutionally and
iuspiGably do in such case, everything was
forb orne, without which it was believed posi-
bic to keep the Government on foot.
On the 9Th of March, the present incum-
beuJ's first full day in office, letter of Major
Anderson commanding at Fort Sumpter, writ
ten on the 2Sth of February, and received at
the War Department on the 4Jh of March,
was 10y that Department pla ced in his hands.
This letter expressed the professional opinion
OF the writer that reinforcemcnts could not
be thrown into that fort, within the time for
his relief rendered necessary by the limited
supply of provisions, and with - view Of hol-
ding possession OF the same, with force Of
less than 20, 000 good and well-dsciplined
men. This opinion was concullcd IN by all
the officers OF his command. and dstheir memor-
anda the subject made enclosures of
Major Anderson's letter. The whole was inn
mediutely laid before Lieut.. General Scott,
who at once concurred n that opinion. On
reflection. however, he took full time, consul
ting with other officers, both cf the army and
navy and at the end Of fouI days, came re-
luctantly, but decidedly, to the same c0nclu-
sion as before. He also stated at the same
time that no such sufficient force was then in
control OF the Government, or could be raised
and brought to the ground within the time
when the provisions would be exhausted. IN
purely military point Of view, this reduced
the duty Of the administration in the case to
the mere matter of getting the garrison safely
out of the fort 1t was believed, however, that
to so abandon that position, underthe circum
stances, would be utterly ruinous; that the
necessity under which it was to be done would
not be fully understood, that by many ii would
be construed as part of "A voluntary policy;
that at home it would discourage the friends
of the Union, embOiden its adversaries, and
90 far to insure the latter recognition abroad;
that, in fact it would be Natonol destruc-
ton consummated. This could not be allowed.
Starvation was not yet upon the garrison. and
ere it would be reached Fort Pickens might
be reinforced. This last would be clear in
dication of policy, and would better enable
the country to accept the evacuation OF Fort
Sumpter military necessity. An order
was at once directed TO be sent for the landing
of the troops from the steamship Brooklyn into
Fort Pckens. This order could not go by
land, but must take the lOrger and slower
rodte by sea. The first return news from the
order was received just week before the
fall of Fort Sumpter. The news itself was
that the officer commanding the Sabtae to
which vessel the troops had been transferred
from the Broohiyn,- acting upon some quasi
armistice of the lat. Administration, and Of
the existence Of which the present 1dminis-
tration, up to the time the order was despatch
ed, and only 100 vague and uncertain ru-nors
to fix attention. had refused to land the troops.
To now reinforce Fort Piekens before n crisis
would be reached at Fort Sumpter was Impos-
o.lln rendered bv the mar xh e