The Oxford intelligencer. (Oxford, Miss.) 1860-18??, 1861-02-13

4
to devclope ITSELF so that if possible our institu-
tons might be preserved, retained my place
Looking at the subject practically, | believed,
with due exercise of caution and moderation,
conflict could be avoided Without a civil mag
istrate, there could be no process. Without a
writ or process, there could be no arrangement,
and no justification for the calingin of the mill
tary force, and hence enforcing the law was an
] improbability inasmueh as the machinery for
its accomplishment. was wanting. Forts had
been erected within the limits of the States with
their consent for the purpose of enabling the
United States to fulfill its duties, to protect the
States by repelling invasion, and suppressing
instructions To hold fort as menace upon
State, with view Of controlling her political
action, or of endangering her peace was such a
perversion of the grant of jurisdiction by the
States, that in the judgment Of all true men it
would be viewed as crying outrage, and an
act of war. The forts, then, in seeding States,
can be rightfully regarded only as property. To
hold them as military posts, to thus threaten
the peace of the State, is at war with the theory
of our Government
With these opinions conscientiously enter
tanned, and believing as did that any attempt
to reinforce the forts in Charleston harbor would
be viewed by the people of South Carolina as
an act of hostility, and would therefore be re-
sisted, my opposition to an order for reinforce
ments was early taken, and uniformly maintain
cd. When the question first arose, the Presi-
dent decided TO refuse such an order, and Gen.
Cass Withdrew from the Cabinet on account of
the refusal. The President then agreed with
certain gentlemen undertaking to represent
South Carolina, that no change should be made
in the military status of the forts and when
Major Anderson, adopting an extreme measure
Of war, only justified in The presence of an
ovcrpowering enemy, spiked his guns and burnt
his gun carriages, and moved with his garrison
from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter, and thus
committed an act of hostility, the President
heard of the movement with chagin and morti-
fication. Gov. Floyd considered his honor COM
promised unless the garrison undsr Major
Anderson was withdrawn, and when he was re-
fused permission TO make that order, he threw up
his commission. On lis Withdrawal Mr.. Holt
was transferred to the War Department as
Secretary G9 interim. This assignment was
made without consultation with me- and on the
next day | was advised that Mr.. Holt had taken
charge of the War Department. Knowing his
eagerness to strengthen the forts, | visited the
President with my resignation drawn up. lie
told me then that the order for rcinforcements
by the Brooklyn had been countermanded, and
that no other orders would be issued without
the question being first considered and decided
in the Cabinet With that promise was con-
tent. Two days afterwards the question was
considered and decision was reached, to send
a messenger to Major Anderson to learn his true
situation and wishes As to what else was done
my lips are sealed; because all Cabinet consul
tations are confidential OF one thing be as
sured, that so hostile had been from the begin
ming to the sending of additional troops to the
forts in Charleston that there is not one member
of the Cabinet who would have expected me to
continue one hourn lis councils after an affirm
alive decision had been made by the President.
! did not understand such conclu sion to have
been adopted, and the first intmaton had that
additional troops had been sent to Fort Sumter.
was on the morning of the Sth Of january.
That day | severed my connection with the
Cabinet. Ny ground for doing so was two-fold:
First on account of the manner Of the issuance
Of the order, and second, on account Of the or
der itself
no 7 I,-,1
my old friend Judge Longstrcet, that no troops
had been ordered, and that If no attack was
made on Fort Sumter, none in my opinion
would be ordered, and urged him to exert his
influence with the South Carolina authorities to
make no attack on Fort Sumter. This dispatch
was sent in good faith. Judge Longstrcct acted
efficiently in preventing an attack and while
thus engaged to preserve peace, the Secretary of
War was actually engaged in an effort, by
stealth, to charter steamer put on board his
soldiers, clear the vessel for New Orleans to es-
cape suspicion, and thus by strategy strengthen
a fort TO threaten the peace Of South Carolina
As was writing my resignation, ! sent a dis
patch to Judge Longstreet that the Star of the
West was coming with reinforccments The
troops then were put on their guard and when
the Star of the West arrived, she received
warm welcome from booming cannon, and soon
beat retreat. | was rejoced the vessel was
not sunk, but was still more rejoced that the
concealed trick, first conceived by Gen. Scott,
and adopted by Secretary Holt, but counter
mandcd by the Pre- ident when too late, proved
failure. (Applause)
This much have felt bound to say to You,
my neighbors and friends, though am always
reluctant to speak of events in which am com
PEELED to bring myself prominently before the
public. While have been true and frank with
the President, have never faltered in my deyo-
ton to my State and my section. (Applausc.)
I come now to take up my residence, to make
your fortune my fortune, your destiny my des-
tiny.
Our State, Mississippi, has resumed the pow
ers delegated to the Federal Government, and
has become and is now, free and Independent
State. At this point of time, VIC are bound to
presume she has acted after full deliberation and
with sufficient reason. Her decision is final and
conclusive upon all her citizens. IF difference
of opinion has existed heretofore let there be
none hereafter. We all owe our sovereign State