The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-07-17

am fumorS TO TX attention, had refused 10
and the troops. To now re-inforce Fort
pickens, before crisis could be reached at
Fort Sumter, was impossible, rendered soby
he near exhaustion Of provisions in The lat.
ter named fort.
In precaution against such conjuncture.
the Government had, a few days before, com.
preparing an expedition, as well a.
dapted as might be, to relieve Fort Sumter.
which expedition was intended to be ulti-
nately used or not, according to crcumstan-
ces. The strongest anticipated case for us.
ing il was now presented, and il was resolved
to send it forward
As had been intended in this contingent.
cy, it was also resolved 10 notify the Gny
ernor Of South Carolina that he might expect
an attempt would be made TO provision tie
fort, and that if the attempt shnuld not be re-
sisted, there would be no effort TO throw in
men, arms or ammunition without further
notice, or in case of an attack upon the fort.
This notice was accordingly given, where
upon the fort was attacked and bombarded
to its fall, without even awaiting the arrival
OF the provisioning expedition.
Il is thus seen that the assault upon and
reduction Of Fort Sumter was in no sense q
matter Of selt-defence on the part Of the as
sailants, They well knew that the garrison
in the fort could by no possibility commit
aggression upon them. they knew that
they were expressly notified that the giving
of bread to the few brave and hungry men OF
the garrison was all which would on that oc-
casion be attempted, unless themselves, by
resisting so much, should provoke more.
They knew that this Government desired
to keep the garrison in The fort, not 70 assail
them, but merely to maintain visible possess
SION. and thus to preserve the Union from
active and immediate dissolution, trusting,
aa hereinbefore stated, TO time, discussion
and the ballot.box for final adjustment; and
tey assaied and reduced the fort for pre-
clsely the reverse obiect-to drive out the
visible authority Of the Federal Union, and
thus force it to immediate dissolution. That
this was their object, the Executive well IN.
derstood.
And having said to them in the inaugural
address, you can have no conflict without
being yourselves the aggressors," he took
pains not only 10 keep this declaration good
but also to keep the case SO free IRON the
power Of ingenious sophistry, as that the
world should not be able to misunderstood il.
/ By the affair at Fort Sumter, with its sur
rounding circumstances, that point was
reached.
Then and thereby the ASSISTANTS of the
Government began the conflict or arms,
without gun liz sight or in expectancy to
return their fire, save only the few in the
fort, sent to that harbor years before fer their
own protection; and still ready TO give that
protection in whatever was lawful.
In this act, discarding all else, they have
forced upon the country the distinct issue
immediate dissolution or blood. And this
issue embraces more than the fate Of these
United States. ltpresents to the whole fam
lily OF man the question whether consttu-
tional Republic or Democracy govern.
ment Of the people By the same people-can
or cannot maintain its territorial integrity
against its own domestic foes. Ii presents
the question whether disseminated indvidu-
ais, too few in number to control administra.
ton according TO organic law in any case,
can always, upon the pretences made in this
case, or in other pretences. or arbitrarily
without any pretence, break up their Gov
eminent, and thus practically put an end TO
Tree government upon the earth.
IL forces Us TO ask, is there in all Repsb-
lies this inherent and fatal weakness: Mus,
Government OF necessity be too strong for
the liberties Of its own people, or tos weak
70 maintain its own existence: So viewing
the issue, no choice was left but to call osl
the war power Of the Government, and - ii
resist force employed for its destruction by
force for us preservation.
This call was made, and the response Of
the country was most gratifying, surprising
10 unanlmity and spirit the most sanguine
expectation. Yet none Of the States CON
monty called slave Statea, except Delaware,
gave a regiment through regular State or
ganiZation. A few regiments have been or.
gained within some others OF these States
BY individual enterprise, and received into
the Government service. OF course the se.
coded States, 70 called, and To which Texas
had been joined about the time Of the inau.
guratiOn, gave no troops to the cause Of the
Union.
The Border States. SO called, we're no,
uniform IN heir asfDn--s0me 81 them being
almost for the Union, while 10 others. a. ylr.
glnia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Arkan.
sas, the Union sentiment was very nearly
repres,ed and silenced.
The course taken in Virginia was the most
remarkable, pprnap. the most important. A
Convention elected BY the people Of thal
state to consider this very question Of dis.
fup,ing the Federal Union was 10 session a.
the Capital Of Virginia when Fort samter
+ fell.
l 10 this body the people had chosen large
/ majority 81 pr0frssed Union men. Almost
/ Immediately after the fall 81 Fort Sunter,
many members Of that majority vent over Ia
the disBnlOn minority, aud with them adopt.
Ell 40 ordinance for withdrawing the state
from the Union.
Whether this change was wrought by their
great approval Of the assault On Fort sumter,
OF their great resentment al the Govern.
menfs resistance ~ that assault, is not def
nItely known.
Although ibcy Submitted Tie ordinance for