The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-03

when were the extreme rates. FreghtS were rather
nrmcr, with doing, especially for English ports.
rho Crisis In washin gton-The Prcsi-
dents Reply to the South Carolina
Comm issicners.
Mr.. Buchanan's administration is coming out
of this fiery ordeal Of revolution as fine gold
from the furnace. His reply to the South Caro-
lima Commissioners as indicated in our Wash
ington dispatches, brings him forward in full
relief as the man who rightly comprehends his
position, his responsibilities and the expecta-
lions of the American people.
The three South Carolina Commissioners in
question presented themselves to the President
IS ambassadors from foreign government.
Mr.. Buchanan tells them that he can only re-
cognise them as distinguished citizens Of the
United States from South Carolina. They de-
handed as the first preliminary step to their
contemplated negotiations, the Withdrawal Of
Tie federal troops from the forts at Charleston.
Mr.. Buchanan tells them that he not only in
tends to collect the revenue and execute the
federal laws in South Carolina as in other parts
of the Union, but that he will defend the pro-
perry Of the federal government with all the
power at his command. Thus, as Chief Magis-
trate of the United States, sworn to support the
constitution thereof, Mr.. Buchanan rises to the
full standard of his official obligations TO the
country.
We arc grati6ed that our confidence in him,
US statesman and q patriot, Is thus vindi-
Gated before the world. Had he made his
own well considered views and opinions
upon public affairs the laws Of his Cabinet
from the beginning. II would have saved
him O world of trouble. He should never
have permitted his late Secretary Of the
gress a tariff policy in direct conflict with
that Of the head Of the government. If the
unity of the Cabinet upon that subject de-
manded the removal of Mr.. Cobb, he should
have been removed at once. Mr.. Floyd, too,
a. Secretary OF War, should have been dis
missed upon the discovery that he had been
dabbling in army transportation jobs and
fort site speculations to the prejudice Of the
administration. Had Mr.. Buchanan, resisting
his own generous feelings, followed the ex-
T. =. -
loyal Cabinet, even to the extent, If neccs-
sary. for the first year or two, of q new
Cabinet every six months, there would have
been no ministerial imbecilties and desertions,
and no astounding discoveries of frauds in
the executive departments now in the hour
Of trial and danger
But, returning to the main question, The in
auiry naturally arises, does this ultimatum OF
Mr. Buchanan to South Carolina inaugurate a
civil war; We hope not The President de-
sre- to avoid an appeal 10 arms. He will
seek, Us h. has sought by all available means
of Cancellation and forbearance, 10 preserve
peace. The South Carolina Convention, on tho
receipt of his ultimatum TO their Commissioners,
may proceed TO extreme measures u II pro-
beble, however, that the strength Of Fort
Sumter will suggest the expediency OF delay in
tina, quarter. and that vessel Of war or two
will he able TO look after the federal revenues
al Charleston, without any wsrlkc collision
with the local authorities Under q rigid in
terpre tation Of the constitution, the President
might proceed to the arrest, not only Of the
South Carolnians in occupation Of federal pro-
perty in warlike attitude, but TO the seizure
OF those three Commissioners, on charges Of
treason. The President, however, acting under
tho fraternal considerations Of good will and
reconciliation. will overlook everything in this
business except the overt act of war against
the United States.
We would therefore kindly sdmonish our
fellow citizens Of South Carolina to the excr-
else on their part Of the saving virtues Of re-
Fiction and forbearance. They may yet secure
all that Is necessary for their protection and SAFE
", as a community, whether In or out Of the
Union. without war On the other hand, = resort
10 war may be more disastrous TO South Caro-
lins, from her exposed situation, than 70 any