New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-06-30
pFRILs OF DIPLOMACY,

The Rebellion programme set forth by Yancey
in his famous letter to Pryor, pledged the South
ern Confederacy Ia protect the Border States by
" the power Of its arms and its diplomacy"
This singular expression has not attracted much
attention, but the march of events gives it deep
significance; for the Government Of the United
States has already lost, and the Rebel cause
gained more by the power OF diplomacy, than by
the power Of arms.
The first great achievement Of rebel diplo-
macy was in respect to the Notifications
in Charleston harbor. When the rebellion,
broke out at Charleston in November i. wac
ton to protect the public property threatened
there, by strengthening the Notifications with ode.
quate military force; had that been done 10 one
doubts that rebellion and treason might have
been speedily extinguisbed. But instead Of send
ing troops to Charleston, Dir. Buchanan entered
into negotiations with the South Carolina mem.
bers of Congress, which resulted in d failure to
reinforce Fort MOultrie. Whether any pledge
was given by Sir. Buchanan, as was afterward
charged by the South Carolina Commissioners,
suit is certain; by reason of this negotiation,
troops were not sent. This was the first victory
won by the Rebels, and it was Won by their
diplomacy. When Anderson, few weeks later,
made his gallant movement from MOultre TO
Sumter, the alarm and rage Of Floyd, Davis,
for had that movement been followed up by re-
the rebellion might still have been
crushed at one blow. But ut this point of time,
Mr.. Buchanan entered into negotiations with the
South Carolina Commissioners, pending which
tbe reinforcement of Anderson was suspended,
md weeks precious time was lost by the Gov
Every minute of this time was dill
,ently employed by the Rebels in Strengthening
themselves in Fort Moultrie, and planting bat
cry at the entrance Of the harb0r, so that when
his negotiation was broken off, and troops at
act went in the Star Of the West, that vessel |
vas driven from the port. This gaining of time !
0 plant batteries, Obs,ructins the entrance to |
ho harbor, was the second victory of Rebel |
iplomacy.
Bat We still held Sumter; it commanded Noul.
lie and the shore batteries; and by vigorous
Hort the enemy might have been dislodged
I this critical nick of time, Col. Hayne reached
Washington, and by the willy Intervention Of
Idell and Davis, Mr.. Buchanan again was
mpted to enter into diplomatic correspondence,
rough Mr.. Holt, the Secretary of War, with
10 rebel CommssoDer, by which from two to
rec weeks were spent--tine irrepaIabIy lott
a Government every hour being undermined
traitors. TIE rebels occupied this time in
anting batteries around Sumter Of every nssa
lie point, and in every position that commanded
. barbor or endangered the approach of
lieyibg force; the time thus gained was tho
ird victory Of rebel diplomacy.
When Mr.. Lincoln was iuaugursted on the
b Of March, Anderson still held Sumter. AL
ough shut up, no had not been idle; his guns
ere placed in position, and his means OF
Tense strengthened in many PARTICULARS the
wcr of the enemy was fearfully increased, but
lderson still had over thirty days provisions
this state Of things, the Rebels were not yet
ady to venture TN assault. aud again they re-
rtea TO diplomacy. The alleged compromis-