The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1861-01-11
PoGtion of Major Anderson,

io0A "fo" ehe present posi-
ton of affairs In the light .akeI by Majo,
ANDERSON, We can conceive that his posi-
ton is very clever che. But there are
two ways of looking at this matter
There is a way in which to view the &C.
tons OF ANDERSON that will present them
as dlscreditable to himself and dangerous
to the country.
The Chicago Times in an able article
upon the conduct Of Major ANDERSON at
Charleston, gives US the facts connected
with his abandonment of the forts in that
city. as follows. 1.-The President of the
United States, it says "when he ascer.
tanned that secession would take place in
South Carolina, very wisely desired that
no hostile collision should occur, until ev-
cry possible effort could be made to have
a peaceabls adjustment. On the other
side, it was not to be supposed that the
people of Charleston, in severing their
connection with the central government,
woul d permit that government to fortify
itself in the Charleston harbor with view
to conquer them, without some effort to
save themselves from such danger
There was, therefore, no possible way
for the parties to retain their peaceable
positions without some amicable ar
rangement. This arrangement wos made;
the President agreeing that, if no attempt
was made to modest the public property,
no new move, nor new offences, would be
attempted South Corolna agreeing on
her part to respect the public property of
the nation, provided no new steps were
taken to endanger the safety they then en-.
Joyed. In spite of all the excitement of
revolution, and with the means of defence
within their reach, the people of South
Carolina honorably preserved their con
tract and made no effort TO touch the
government property. But what has been
the course of the other party Let the
facts speak In the dead of night, with
ont authority from the President, and
without the knowledge of the people of
Charleston, Major ANDERSON abandons
Fort Moultrie, spikes the cannon, burns
the gun carriages, and moves his troops
into Fort Sampler, which overlooks every
bouse in Charleston! The people OF
Charleston, feeling that an honorable con-
tract had been grossly violated, at once
took possession ot the abandoned forts and
the public arsenal.
Now, let any man, who can for one in
slant reas on fairly, lock at this matter for
one moment and then Judge the conduct
Of ANDERSON. Here is an officer of the
army, acting under the command Of the
President, who, without the knowledge Of
the President, wilfully and deliberately
violates the solemn promise aud agree
ment Of the President, burns the public
property and preciptates hostility and war
upon the county. Thus, an under officer,
without authority. against orders, and in
violation of q solemn agreement, under
takes to decide the question of civil war
for his whole country.
This nation will have little cause to
thank Major A>pEKsoN for this breach of
duty and breach Of agreement with the
President. 1t has been the sole cause
that has precipitated the seizure of .h
public property, and NAV end in precipi
tating the country into most inhumao
war;
Let us hope that there is yet sense
enough left, on all sides, to place the
whole question where it was before this
breach of faith towards South Carolina
was perpetrated. Let South Carolina re-
store the government property, and let
Major ANDERSON go back to Fort Moul-
trie.
The President of the United States
stands acquitted of this breach of faith
but Major ANDERSON has committed
gross violation both OF his orders and of
the public faith, and has thereby caused
most dangerous state of things in this
alarming crisis. While we give no man
ner of endorsement to the course of South |
Carolina, and repudiate all completely
with that course, yet we nevertheless
think our government should act with
good faith to her; and that good policy
requires that peace should still be main
tanned. The Union depends upon peace
we ARE FOR PEACE AND THE UNION"
Another Fire in Milwaukee.
On Sunday morning, he Both ult., an
other destructive fire occurred in Milwau-
kee. CONSUMING the Iarpe brick block owns