Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-03-05

An OvERwHKLMINe REVELATION AND RE-
Bukz.-Ths Hon. Joseph Holt publishes letter
this morning In the IsfeIigsnesr, in answer to the
Hon. Jacob Thompson's date Secretary Of the In
teriors recent boast that by telegraDhing to that
end be secured for the Star OF the West the hostile
reception with which she met in essaying to re-
lieve Fort Sumter. To show Its character we
quote IL (Mr. Hollis letter. as follow:
ave have here distinct and exultant avowal,
on the part Of the Hon Secretary, that, while yet
q member Of the Cabinet he disclosed to those In
open rebellion against the United States inferma-
ton which he had derived from his ofhcial po-
sition, and which he held under the seals OF
confidence that, from the beginning Of our history
a. nation, had never been violated. This step
not merely endangered the highest public inter-
terests, but put in imminent jeopardy the lives Of
two hundred and fifty innocent men, who had
never wronged the Hon. Secretary, and who, In
proceeding to Charleston harbor, were simply
obeying the lawful command Of their superior
officers. The armed enemies Of the Government
he was serving, under the solemn sanctions Of an
oath, were, as he declares, 'thus put upon their
guard, and the frail vessel that was bearing
cor to its friends received q warm welcome from
booming cannon 1t could not be less than Of
fensive to the heart and to the intelligence Of the
American people TO comment gtavely on this hu-
initiating Transaction. Its true character has al
ready been determined by the public voice, and
judgment Of history"
He exposes the truculent mendacity Of Mr..
Thompson's allegation that the GRAND Of the Star
Of the West was a trick conceived by Gen. Scott
and executed by himself (Secretary Holly without
the Presidents knowledge, by republishing the
well correspondence between Mr.. Thomp-
son and the President on the formers resignation,
wherein the latter 20 promptly refuted the same
statement
With reference to Mr.. Thompson's unfounded
allegation concerning the circumstances giving
rise to the " countermand" Of the orders for the
sailing Of the steamship, which reached New Y ork
only after she had sailed, he says:
"The 'corntermand' spoken Of was no. more
cordially sanctioned by the President than It was
by Gen. Scott and myself. It was given, not be-
cause Of any assent from the order on the pa
OF the President, but because Of letter received
that day from Major Anderson, stating, In effect
and yet more because Of intelligence which late
on Saturday evening reached the Departme emit that
heavy battery bad been erected amony the sand
hills at the entrance to Charleston haraor, which
would probably destroy any unarmed vessel land
such was the Star Of the West) which might at
tempt to make Its way up to Fort Sumter This
important information satisfied the Government
that there was no present necessity for sending
renforcements, and that when sent they should
60, not In a vessel Of commerce. but Of war
Hence the countermand was dispatched by tele-
graph to New York, but the vessel had sailed a
short time before IL reached the officer to whom
Ii was addressed.
"This plain statement Is submitted I'm the belief
That, before an Intelligent and candid public IL
Will anord complete vlndication Of nv conduct
as well as Of the conduct of that lustrious patriot
and soldier-Lieut. Gen Scott-whose stainless
honor certainly needs no defence at nv hands
against the aspersions Of the present or of any
other assailant
'.It Is well known that persistent falsifcation
OF the policy and conduct Of the late Administra-
ton, In Its relations to the South, has proved a
potent fundamentally for iniaming the popular
mind Of that distracted portion Of our country,
ana thus giving an ever increasing impetus to the
revolution; end the fact, that the telep oh and
the press have been under the absolute direction
OF those controlling this movement, has rendered
resistance to this fundamentally impractcable.
w hatever purposes therefore, were expected to
De accom- plished by the circulation Of the para
graph which has been exposed, will probably be
attained, since the antitode now offered cannot
possibly pursue the poison Into all its ramifca-
lions. IL, however, this explanation shall secure
TO me the confidence Of those true hearted patriots
who still love our Union better than ali the spoiIs
ana power which revolution can promise, then I
shall little regard the condemnation Of men who.
Tor the last two months, have necessarily de.
nounced me throughout the South, simply and
solely because | have refused to black ken nv soul
with perjury, by betraying the Government of
my country, while In its service. J Holt"
On the whole, this letter from Mr. Hollis Den
IL valuable link In the chain Of the history of
current American public affairs, and Is destined
10 play an important part in calculating the con-
duct not only Of the enemies, but Of the patriot
friends Of their country who occupied positions
Of responsibility under tbs late Government of
the United States