Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1861-01-16

message to Congress be gave his views with
regard to eur national difficulties, and pro-
we'd to demonstration that the doctrine that
State can peaceably secede from the Union
is fallicy- He stated his determination to
enforce the execution of the federal laws in
every State which might attempt to secede
during his administration. to the full extent
of the powers vested in him by the Constitu-
lion end laws Of the country. But he gave
10 aid or comfort to the Northern fanatics,
whose constant and unprovoked assaults on
the institution of Slavery in the Southern
States. had produced the difficulty. He ad-
yocsted compromise and coDciliation, and I'M
plored both sections to sacrifice something for
the sake Of the Union. He showed the uu-
constiutiOnality Of the personal liberty bills
of the Northern States, and recommended
their repeal, and also advised the amendment
of the Constitution, so as to prevent the re-
currence of like difficulty. His patriotic
coansels drew upon him the vituperation and
abuse of the enemies of the Union, both
North and South In the South be was de
he repudiatod the secession doctrine, and 10
the North as eowardly denagogue, because
ne was unwilling at once to inaugurate civil
war in the land. To add to the difficulties
which surrounded bIm, the members of his
political family began to desert him. He
| soon found himself abandoned by portion of
| the men with whom he had been in the habit
of consulting every day, for nearly four years
| They deserted him because be was too con-
serYative. Cobb, Southern man. resigned,
| because ha denounced the secession doctrine,
and Csss Northern man, because he would
not Immediately commence preparations for
coercing South Carolina. Several other mem
bers Of his Cabinet resigned for similar Tea-
sons. In the meantime, South Carolina pas
| se3 the Secession ordinance, and from certain
! hostile demonstrations ia Charleston by the
State troops. Maj. Andersen the commanding
| officer in Fort Mouitrie, felt convinced that
! be was insecure in that post and removed
his troops to Fort Sumpter. much stronger
! forIifcation, first having spiked the guns apG
set fire to the gun carriages.
The South Carolina troops Immediately took
possession OF Fort Sumpter and Castle Pinck-
ney, the Palmetto flag was raised over the U.
S. Custom House and Post Office ia Charles
ton, and they also took possession of the Z.
5. Arsenal. These overt acts convinced the
| President that the time had arrived for him
to act, and be not only refused TO comply
I sha 1a,,, I,x g IL
missioners and order Maj. Anderson back 10
Fort Mouitrie, but Immediately directed that
| he should be reinforced and furnished with
fresh supplies of provisions and ammunition
Since then be has acted with degree Of
proniptness, energy and firmness which has
excited the admiration aud comneudation Of
his bittcrest enemies, and compelled even the
blood hounds of bis own party. who had en-
deavored to hunt him down, to cease their
baying. While bent on enforcing the
execution OF the federal laws. in South
Carolina, he is determined to keen
within the bounds prescribed by the Corsti-
tuition, and that in no case shall the United
States troops be the aggressors He still
continues to hold cut the olive branch TO the
people of South Carolina, SO that if they soon
tind themselves confronted by all the horrors
o. a civil war. the fault will be theirs not his
| The men who calum liated him during his ad-
ministEati6n are already beginning to feel
ashamed of their course They begin to feel
that when they are numbered with the inglo-
rious dead, his memory will be cherished, and
he will then be regarded as one of the purest
patriots aud abiest statesmen cur country ever
produced.