Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1861-01-11

make the laws belongs 10 Congress exclusively to re-
peal, modify, enlarge their provisions exigen
Giles al they occur possess no dispensing power
certainly had right to make aggressive war upon
any state and am perfectly satisfied that the Constitu
on has wisely Withheld that power from COngresg
But tho right and the duty to use the military 10 s M
ensiyty against those who resist the Federal officers In
the execution Of their legal functions aud AGAINST those
who nssai The property Of the Federal Government clear
and undenabe But the dangerous and hostile nttiiula
Of States towards each ether has already far nded
aud into the shade the ordinary Executive duties al
ready provided for by law and has assumed such vast aud
alarming proportions to place the subject entirely above
and beyond the Executive control The fact cannot b.
disguised that are In the midst OF great revolution
In all Its various bearings therefore, commenced the
question to Congress rs the only human tribunal under
Providence possessing the power 10 meet the existing eer.
geney To them exclusively belongs the lower declare
authorize the employment Of the military In
al cases contemplated by the Constitution; and tbey
alone possess the power to remove the grievances which
might lead to war and 70 secure peace aud union to this
distracted country IN them, and on thempone, rests
The Union Is a sacred trust left by our revolutionary
fathers TO their descendants, aud did any other
people inherit rich legacy II has rendered m nros
porous In peace and triumphant in war; The national
dag hiss noated with glory over ovefy sea- Under is
shadow American citizens have found protection aud r
spec In all lands beneath this II descend t con-
alterations Of purely material interest when In history
ofall time has Confederary been bound toRetker with
such srong ties Of mutual interest. Each portion Of il +
dependent on all and all upon each portion for prosperity
and domestic security; Tree trade throughout the gho
supplies the wants Of portion from the productions OF
An0tt er and seaera wealth everywhere Tie great plant
Ing and farming States require, and commercial nayiga.
on States send their productions domestic and foreign
markets. and furnish naval power to render their trans
poraton against all hostile attacks should the
Union parish in the midst Of the present. excitement
have already Lad sad foelaste of the universal urr
Ing which would result from Its destruction. The caa
y wOndlbe severe In every portion Of the Union and
would be quite as great to say the least in tho Southern
a In the Northern States.
The greatest aggrayation Of the evil aud that which
would place In most vorabe light both before the
world aud postery, u.s. am firmly convinced that the
secession movement has been chiefly based upon A mis-
apprehension at the South OF the sentiments OF the ma
juy in several Of the Northern States Let the question
be transferred nom political assemblies 10 the baotbox
and ths people themselves would speedily redess lho
serious grievances which the South have suffered
But In Heavens name, ut the trial be inade before We
plunge into an armed conflict upon the assumption
that there other alternative Time Is great CONFER
valige power Lei US pause at this moinenous point
Afford people Of both North and South Opportunity
for reflection Would that South Carolina had h.. eon-
WINGED Of this truth before her procipitaie action.
therefore ap cal through yOu to the people of lie eputry
to de- ne in their might that "1HE UNlos MUSE Ann sM.
nB pRgsERvED' by all constitutional means.
lnust earnestly recommend that you devote yourselves
exclusively to the question how this be accomplished
In peace Al other questions when compared with this
Sink into nsgnhrance. The present Is no time pa
alton. Action, prompt action, is required DELAY Ia
Congress prescribe and oinnend distinct and prae
teal proposition Cancellation may drive to point
from which 1t will be almost Impossible to rteeie.
common ground on which Cancellation and harmony may
be produced Is surely not unattainable
The proposition to compromise by letting tho North
have exclusive control Of the territory above certain
line, aud giving Southern institutions protection
that line ought 1, receive universal Appreciation In It,
self, Indeed. it. may not DO entirely satisfactory; but
when tile alternative Ii between reasonable concession
lOil sides aud the dehtfurtun OF the Union
lmputaon the patriotism Of Congress to assert that its
members Will hesitate for a moment i
Even the danger is upon us. In several States
which have not seeded the forts arsenns and magazines
Of the United States have been seized This Is by the
most serious step which has been taken since thu
nencenent of the troubles This public property has
long bsn left without garrs0us and troops it, proe
oI because person doubted its security under tho
Tag OF the country In all the states Ofhe Union Besides
small army has scarcely been sufficient gutrd our
remote frontiers against Indian incursilns.
The sNzure OF this property rum all appearances has
bfpu augrHgEiVp. and not A
tempt u State or States to remain IN the mon
At the beginning Of these unhappy troubles deietninel
that act Of mine should increase tue excitement In
either section Of the country If the political conflict
to end in civil war it WAS my determined purpose
not to commence IT, to furnish excuse Tor 1t
by any act of this Government My opinion remains
ehahge that justice, As we'll aa sound policy, requires
between the North and South Entertaining thu c0yc-
ton RETAINED from sending reiniorcemvnts Msj
Anderpu Who commanded the rls in Charleston harbor
until absolute necessity doing should make itself
apparent lest II might uujusy be regarded menace
Of militia coercion, and thus furnish, II not pOtoca
ont at last preekt for an outbreak on The put
South Carolina No tessy for those reiniOrcemens
seemed 10 exist assured, by distinguished up
right gentlemen from sou. Carolina, that attack
Major Anderson intended hut that the CONTRARY
1t was The desire Of the State authorities much 1t
was my own to avoid he iA consequences which must
inevitably follow military collision Aud here deem
1t proper to submit for your iniormation copies OF
munlcalon dated the 18th o. December suQ addressed
to BY IT, w Barnwell, j. H. Adams and james L. orr
commissioners from South Carolina with accompanying
doeume, t. and copies of my answer thereto dated tue
3iat of Decent err
In further explanation OF Major Andersons removal
trum Fort MOultrs to Fort sumpter II Ii proper state
that after my to tue Sou Carolina Commission
the War Department received letter fr0m that gal
liant officer. dated the 2Ith December 1860 the Jay
after this movsmsnD from which the following Ii an eS.
tract;
81 will add as my opinion, that many things c1nviuc
ed that the authorities Of the State designed to pro-
coed to hostile Acn Evidently referring to the orders
dated Dec H. of the late Secretary Of War; "Under this
mpressiOn could not hesitate that Ii ms solemn
duty to my command from fort which could
probably have held longer than fOriyeigt sixty
hours to this one where my power Of Resistance is neea
ed in very great degree"
1t will b. iecoected that the concluding part Of these
orders WA In the following termsi
1.-The hmallness Of your force will not permit you, per
haps, IL occupy than of the three Orts
hut attack on, attempt to take possession Of
either Of them, will be regarded act Of hostility
aud may then put command into either of them
which you may deem most proper to increase its pewer
OF resistance You also authorized to take similar de-
fensiye teps whenever you have tangible evidence
design Ia proceed to a hostile act"
1t Is said that serious approximations are, 10
tent, entertained that the peace Of this district, may
disturbed before March next In any event. II will be
my duty TO prevent IT, and this duty shall be performed
In conclusion, II may be permitted to to remark that
have often warned countrymen Of the dangers which
now surround us This may he the last time shall refer
to the subject officially, feel that my duty hns been
fahfully though lmpereetly performed, aud whatever
the result may be, shall carry TO my grave the
teousness that at least msAnl we'll for my country.
JAMES BUCHANAN
WASHINGTON CRY, January s, 1901,