Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-07-12

the necessity under which II was TO b.
done would not be fully understood; tina
by many ii wovld be construed as par
of voluntary policy; that at home i
would discourage the friends Of the Union
and embolden its adversaries, and 60 fan
to insure the latter recognition abroad
that in fact by it our national destruction
would be consummated. This could not
be allowed starvation was not yet upon
the garrison, and ere it would be Fort
Pickens might be reinforced.
: Tdis last would be clear indication
of policy, and would better enable the
country to accept the evacuation of Fort
Sumter as a military necessity. An or
der was at once directed 10 be sent for the
landing of troops from Steamship Brook
Ign into Fort Pickens. This order could
not 90 by land, but must take the longer
and slower route by sea. The first re-
turn news from the order was received
just one week before the fall Of Sumter.
The news itself was that the officer COM
handing the Sabine, to which vessel the
troops had been transferred from the
Broyklyn, acting upon some quasi aImis-
tee Of the late Administration, and of the
existence Of which the present Admins
tration, up to the time the order was dis
patched, had only too vague and uncer-
tain rumors 10 fix attention, had refused
to land the troops.
To now reinforce Fort Pickens before
a crisis would be reached at Fort Sumter
was impossible, rendered so by the near
exhaustion Of provisions in the latter
famed fort. In precaution against such
a conjecture, the Government had n few
days before commenced preparing an cx-
petition as well adapted as might be to
relieve Fort Sumter, which expedition
was intended to be ultimately used, or
not. according TO circumstances. The
anticipated case for using it was
now presented, and it was resolved to
send it forward, as had been intended in
This contingency. 1t was also resolved to
notify the Governor of South Carolina
that he might expect that an attempt
would be made to provision the Fort, and
that if the attempt should not be resisted
there would be no effort to throw in men,
arms or ammunition without further notice
or in case Of an attack upon the Fort.
THE FIRST blow AND ITS CONSEQUENCES.
The notice was accordingly given
Whereupon .he fort was attacked and
bombarded to its fall without awaiting the
arrival of the provisioning expedition,
1t is seen that the assault upon the re-
luction of Fort Sumter was in no sense
! matter of self defense on the part Of the
lssailants. They well knew that the gar
rison in the fort could by no possibility
commit aggression upon them. They
knew they were expressly notified that
the giving of food to brave and hungry
men Of the garrison was all which would
on that occasion be attempted, unless they
themselves by resisting so much should
provoke more.
They knew that Government desired |
o keep the garrison in the fort not to as
ail them, but merely TO maintain visible
possession and thus to preserve the Union
rom actual and immediate dissolution,
rusting as herein before stated to time,
discussion, and the ballot-box for final
and they assailed and re-
luced the fort for precisely the reverse
object, 10 drive out the visible authority
If the Federal Union, and thus force it
o immediate dissolution.
That this was their object the Execu-
i've well understood, and having said so
n the inaugural address, " You can have
10 conflict without being yourselves the
he took pains not only to
,eep this declaration good, but also to
.eep the case so free from the power of in
,enius sophistry as that the world should
ot be able to misunderstood it by the af-
air at Fort Sumter, with its surrounding
circumstances. That point was reached,
hen and thereby the assailauts of the
Government began the conflict of arms
ithout a gun in sight or in expectancy,
} return their fire, save only the few in
re fort, sent TO that harbor years before
II their own protection, and still ready
give that protection in whatever was {
.wful.
In that act, dscarding all else they have !
reed upon the country the distinct issue i
immediate dissolution or blood and r
lis issue embraces more than the facts of /
Iese United States. 1t presents to the !
hole family of man the question whelh- t
a constitutional Republic or Democra- r
"a government of the people--can or t
mot maintain its territorial integrity Il
ainst its own domestic foes. 1t pre-. 4
MS the aneslian Mhether disintnrnstnd