Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1861-01-25


leston." Then, gentlemen, for the first
time in three years, l felt sensation of
delight in my heart. l thought the oues.
t'on capable of peaceatle solution, and
though YOU may not think it worthy OF
mention, dcvou,ly returned thanks to AL
mighty GOD.
The speaker next alluded to the course
Of Gen. Cass, then Secretary Of State, whom
he pronounced one of the nobIest speci
mems Of mankind, whose personal virtues
he had never ceased 10 revere, after four
years association. Gen. Cass said "These
forts muGt he streng,hened-I demand it,"
This, gentlemen, is the Northern sentiment,
and in his position the Secretary reflected
the minds of his people. And when the
President replied, with stern intles iLiIi,y,
g. have considered this question: am
sorry to differ with the Secretary of State
but the interests Of the country do not
demand reinforcement of the forts at
Charleston-I cannot do tt take the
rcsponsibility"-theu, gentlemn, my hopes
for the future grew stronger. That is
what lie said. The next day, this glorious
old premier sen! in his resignation. With
the respect had entertained for four years,
said, God speed you to your home in the
North. laughter.
Thus matters stood, when there came
proposition 10 send for Gen. Scott. said
seud-gladly said send for him. Gen.
Scott came. He had other ideas. He was
soldier. l had not thought what would
be the sentiments of a soldier WHO had been
winning laurels in the field when I was in
my swaddling clothes. I thought of him
as man whom Virginia delighted to honor
who had the decorations of the State in a
magnificent gold medal dangling from his
neck, and a"sword OF hers, which I sup
posed was bright enough and sharp enough
to defend the honor Of Virginia. But he
had programme-a plan to allay all these
spe'tres Of disunion, and bring peace TO
the country. lie laid it before ,ne as Sccre-
tary Of War. told him ! did no, like it.
He laid it before the President, and he did
not much like it at that time. I will tell
you what it was. Fort Sumter was to be
taken possession of. and Castle Pinckeny
likewise. Fort Moultre Was to be strength
ened. The forts of Georgia were to be
occur pied and held, the forts of Florida and
Alabama taken possession of and manned,
and the forts of Louisiana occupied by
troops Of the United Statcs In addition
to this, ships Of war and revenue cutters
we're to be sent to the waters ofSouth Caro-
lima. This was the programme and this the
plan. ] had been Secretary of War for
four years, and bad not thought it necessary
to occupy any of these forts. 1t vas not
in the programme that any of the North.
ern forts should be occupied. Nay, more;
troops were to be removed from thence and
stationed in Southern forts. As a Virginian
and Southern man. I could not shut nv
eyes to the fact that this was tramplng on
our political rights, and that all this mill
tary display was TO wipe out ell our preten-
sions to honor. I am afraid I tire YOU,
gentlemen. [Cries Of go onr go onrl
: e was a corrolary 10 be dednced
f. vi this. However right it might be
as - position Of a military leader. it p1e-
supposes state Of facts which never &C
knowledge. 1t is that the confederation Of
the United States, which has been made BY
The sovereign States, should he endowed
with power to crush that which created it.
Here is the coercive policy. The whole
North instantly rallied to the point Of coer.
cion. Black Republcanism was infused
with new life. However. determined 10
stay nniil the result Of the mission from.
South Carolina had transpired. Mark you
that conciliatory speeches had been made
by Northern men, and the Northern public
was fast rallying under the banner Of anti
coercion, when the announcement Of this
policy changed the whole aspect Of things.
Next came the unfortunate affair of Mai.
Anderson. The instructions Of the Secre.
tary Of War did not authorize him to
change his position. for he wrote 10 the
Secretary Of War and said he could change
his position il lie had authority to do SO.
/ had pledged my honor to South Carolina
and although will not swear it, I think
the President said so, too. South Carolina
with twenty men, could haye gone TO Eort
Sumter any moonlight night and taken it..
But there was an insurmouniable barrier
they had pledged ,heirshonor that Il should
not he. [Applause.] Maj. Anderson, for
ybat reason God only knows, saw .fit to
change bis, position. South Carolina said
you have violated your pledge. said
gentlemen, l have not. All / cab do is to
resign my commission into the hands of
the President. did 50. gentlemen, and
here 7 am. prolonged cheers. e.
This brings US tothe last topic to be con-
sidered' in this prolixs aodsI fear tiresome
speech. tGo onI There is policy Of coer.
cion on the one side, and anti.coercion on
the other. Tbe North ,Rust decide tits
question. It is peace or war. And tho
question comes up--shall the pretext OF
holdipg the forte the soutl, be made the
pretexk Of lse11fif,fSS Sfnen and ar,ns In cnarca