Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1861-01-18
FRIDAY, JANUARY Is. 1861.

snail bc pfrstrNcu nv hii conrUtuuoni
means. most earnestly recommend ,ha
you devote yourselves to the question bov
this can bc accomplished in peace. Al
other questions. when comna,ed with this
sink into in,,gniGcancc. The present 10 n,
time for palliatives. Prompt action Is =.
quired. 4 delay in Congress to prescrlb
or recommend distinct and practical prop
lo.Ition for conciliation. may drive us to
point from which 10 would bo almost I'm
possible To rrccdc. A common ground. OF
which concilIa,inn and harmony may b,
produced. |, surely not unsttainable.
The proposition TO comprcm'.e, by let
ting the North have exclusive control OF th'
territory above certain line. and TO civ,
Southern institutions protection below tha
line. ought to receive universal appreciation
In itself, indeed. 10 may not he entirely sat
i.factory, hut when the alternative j. be-
tween reasonable concession on both sides
and the destruction OF the Union, |, IL ar
imputa,ion on tho patriotism o: Congrc-'
o. assert that its members will hesitate q
moment. Even now the danger Is upon us
IN several States which have not yet sccc'
ded. tho forts. arsenal.. and magazine. oI
|
- by far the most serious step which hn,
been taken since the commencement OF the
troubles. This public property has lone
been LETT without garrison AMI troops ior
its protection, because no pcr,on doubted
it, security under the las OF tho country
IN any State Oi the Union. Dc.ile' our
small army have scarcely been sufficient q
guard our remote frontiers against Indian
incur.ions. The seizure OF this property
from all appearances, has been purely az
Crc-s,ve. and not m resistance to any at
tempt % cOsrcc state or States To remain
in the Union. At ihc beginning Of these
unhappy troubles. | determined that no act
Of nine should increase the excitement ~
either section ~ tie country. II the pplit'
ical conflict we're 20 end m civil war. IL w,-
my determined purpose no, a. commence
IL nor To furnish an excuse for u by any
act of this Government.
Nv opinion remains unchanged. that jn.
ticc n. we'll ~ sound policy required uss,ill
10 scck peaceful solution oi the questions
a, issue between the North and the South.
Entertaining ,hi. conviction, refrainc,i cv
cn from sending rrinforcrments ~ NajO'
Anderson. who commanded the iuris OF
Charleston harhor, until an absolute n"c's'
sIiy fur doing 50 should make ii-cil appar
cnt. le-, il might h. rcsarucd Ne menace
Of military coercion. an thus furnish Il
provocation. or a, least n rrcteI, Tor an ont
break on tho part of South Carolina. ~
necessity for these endorsements -ccmed g.
exist. | was assured hy distinguished, up
right gentlemen Of South Carolina that no
attack on Mapr Anderson was intended, bat
that on the contrary it was the desire oi ih'
State authoriti,s ss much as Il was my own,
90 avoid tho fatal consequences which must
eventually follow military collision.
, And here deem Il proper TO submit io'
your information copies OF u communication
datrd asih December, 1860. addressed IL
the hy Il. ". Barnwell. J. II Adams and
Jane. l.. Orr. Commissioners Of south Car
oliul. with tho accnmpanyin; documents
and copies Of INV answer thereto, dated Dec
81 Ia further explanation oi MAJOR And
cr.pns removal trpm Fort Moultie u Fort
sumter. 70 .. proper To state that alter my
an.Hcr o. tho SOuth Carolina Cummission'
q. the War Department. rcccis - lc't"r
f-nm that gallant olfcer, dated Dec. -,
l>Gn. the day after hi- movement, from
which tho following is an extract;
IL will add, q. NV opinion. that many
thing. convinced me tha, the authorities OF
the State designed ~ proceed io hostile
act (cyidcntly referring ,o the oricrs dated
Dec. II. Of the late Secretary oi War
Under this impression could not hesitate
that II was my solemn duty 81 move my
command from u fort which We could not
probably have held longer than probably
0, or 90 hours, 10 this one, where my pow
er Of resistance is increased 10 very great
siecrce."
I, will b. r-collec,cd that the concluding
part OF the orders was in the following
words
The smallness of your force will not per-
nit YOU. perhaps. 90 occupy more than one
uf the three forts, hut an attack on, or an
attempt 10 take possession OF either one OF
them, will bo recardedas an act Of hostility
and you may then pat your command into
either Of them which you may deem most
proper 90 increase its power Of resistance,
You are also authorized 10 take similar de-
fcn.ivc step, whenever you have tangible
evidence ol a design to proceed to q hostile
lat"
IL is said that serious apprchensions ar'
to some extent entertained, IN which dC
not share. that the peace Of this District
may bo disturbed before the i,h OF March
next. In any event il will h. my duty q
preserve il, AMI this duty shall be performed
In conclusion, II may h. permitted to m'
10 remark that have Oitn warned my
cOup,rymen OF the dangers which now SUR
round us. This may be the las, time
shall refer to the subject officially. lee
tha, ipy duty has been faithfully. ,houcl
1t may be impcrfectly performed. and what
ever ths result may H.. shall carry 10 mN
grave the Consciousness that ! at least mean
well for my country. -
(Signei.) JAMES BUCHANAN.
Washington City. Jan. 3. isdi.