The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1861-01-31
Have we Peace or Wal 2

The following pointed and pertinent paragraphs
we find in The Columbia Guardian of Tuesday. We
endorse them throughout, and are so much pleased
with the sentiments and opinions contained there
in that we give the extracts prominent place IN
our columns:
"Our correspondent treats topics, of which, from
want of experience and training We have no 1ull
and satisfactory knowledge. Besides, not having
been behind the scenes and not being acquainted
with the special facts of the case, we hesitate at
expressing condemnation of the delay in attacking
Fort Sumter. There may be reasons strategetical
or political, or both, for such delay.
Passing this matter by for the present. we feel
bound to ssy that, in view Of striking and notorious
facts, the mission of Attorney General llaync to
Washington, and the reticcncc concerning 1t and
concerning Fort Sumter, seem strange and unac-
countable The Convention OF the People, more
than i've weeks ago, unanimously passed an ordi-
nance decllring this State TO be no longer mem
Der of the Federal Union. 1t appointed Commls-
sioners to proceed to Washington to treat with the
General Government upon the new relations which
the State lad assumed towards it. The mode in
which they were received and treated stung the
sensibilites of our people to the quick, although
they felt g,atified the other hand, at their tne
bearing and their exp, sure of the duplicity and
trcachery Of the President. While our Commls-
sioncrs wee fruitlessly endcavoring to have the
act of secession recognized by the Administration,
the whole country was startled by the coup of Ma
jor Anderson, in spiking the guns OF Fort Mourie,
and transferring, frto noctiS his command to Fort
Sumter. It scarcely needed the huzzahs and the
firing Of cannon, and The glorifcation of the hero
of the hour or night rather, throughout all aboli-
tiondom, to teach us that this act of decided
hostility In full keeping, and of piece with it,
was the stsalthy and covert ordering OF the Siar Of
the West to reinforce and provision the garrison OF
Fort Sumter. The gallant men of Morris and
Sullivans Islands had nc misgivng as to the state
of things. With the instructive sense OF honor
and courlge which becomes true soldiers and
patriots, they knew that the spear had been cast,
and war declared They accepted the declaration,
and met the consequences of its acceptance nobly
and mantrlly.
ssThat Major Anderson should desire to confer
with the Cabinet at Washington, after the compli-
cation caused by the rebuff of the Star Of TIE Vest
by our gunncrs, and her recall by the Brooklyn,
was natural enough. But it has been standing
mystery ID us how our authorities could venture,
in the circumstances in which we were placed, to
send a minister 10 Washington. at ALL Ncgotia-
tons has been declined; the State, through her
commissioners, nsultcd; and war actually declared
by word and deed superadded to all which were
manifest the traces of uEderhand and double-deal-
QiSoiiiulhtiOc' AA'S 4'"e ' (,
which we would haze antecodently expected, was
the appointment of minister to Washington be-
fore all this proceeding was cleared up saiisac-
torily, anil proper explanations received and just
atonemcn made. II did not seem to us that the
the State could appear at Washington with any
dignity, under such circumstances. Nor have the
results 50 far as we get at them, been such as
TO reassuie us upon that point South Carolina is
universally regarded as having moderated het
VIEWS having toned down. in her demands
and as being quite altered and placabie in hex
mood. Her position is getting to tc embarrassing
and it Will certainly soon be considered humliaing
Wc have felt constraneito shy as much as We
have in behalf of the great public, al;o initiated
this whole movement, end who watch the progress:
of the re5olntion with TIE deepest interest. Theii
curiosity is becoming highly excited and they de
sire to ka9w 7cAat ig g5eg oR and whether We have
peace or war Furthermore, with perfect respect
we ask those in authority and in charge of the Re
public that they look well TO their charge, and sec
il receive no dctrimcnt in It's most vital and sers
tive part