New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-03-12
FORT SUMTER.

I'm all the detection, treachery, and madness OF
these mad times, there has been IN the conduct
of Mai Anderson and the enthusiastic appreba-
ton which has been universally accorded TO 1t,
the one bright spot in the surrounding darkness,
the one cheering proof that national honor is sun
sensitive 10 the appeal Of brave and manly ac-
ton. Surely, we need not despair OF the Repuh-
lie when neither the eneryatiDg influence OF
long course of prosperity and peace, neither the
pernciOus habit of long submission to an order
so persistent and aggressive as the proPagsndlsts
Of Slavery. nor the long. established rule of
party discipline, the seyerest ever known in the
history of politics, has been able to suppress the
admiration of the gallant and sodierly stand made
at Fort Sumter against the tide of public tre asOD
and private treschery which has overwhelmed
the South. In Judging of the conduct OF MAJ.
Anderson, party lines have been obliterated, and
men of every variety of political opinion have
united in the heartiest approval OF his tactics,
and the COURAGE by which they have been sus-
tanned So positive has been this feeling, that
we believe, were call to be made now, or had
one been made any time since the occupation oil
Fort Sumter, for volunteers TO re-eniorce MAJ.
Anderson, thousands and tens of thousands,
if need be, would spring to the rescue to carry
succor to the brave men who hold that forlorn
hope, and to assert there the supremacy OF the
laws, and the dignity of the Federal Govern
ment.
II is not for us to Judge Of the justification the
Government may have for surrendering-Or aban-
doning for there il no difference in the two acts
"A post of so much importance, for the circum-
stances by which they are influenced are not yet
fully known 10 u.s. But we may, at least, express
the wish that no determination to take 20 mn
portant and irrevocahle step be come TO through
any hasty council. War, and the consequences
of war. are q possible near future from which
few shrink with more instructive dread than We
do: but there are worse sacrifices in the conduct
Of human affairs than human life. FOR four
months. the Federal Government has succuInbed
10 rebellion because it wanted, not material, but
moral strength. Ii the cost Of reinforcing sum
/ ter be 80 great in blood and treasure that lis
! surrender or abandonment may seem advisable
! there can, q. least, be no immediate haste Tor
! such A step. aud Mr.. Lincoln may divide the re-
/ sponsibllity with Congress by appealing TO them
I for aid. For the surrender of post BY the new
Administration. before it has been a fortnight
in power which the outgoing AdmInistra-
ton. with all its imbecilty and puslllanmity,
persisted in holding, il an act which can
not fail to have most important consequences.
II is, to begin with, an acknowledgment Of the
defeat Of The Federal Government, and that the
doctrine announced in Mr. Lincons Inaugural
is found to be untenable on the very first trial.
II is an acknowledgment that the Union IL utterly
dissolved past oil possibility of reconstruction, eN-
cept by the most abject concessions. 1t IL, more
over, a question whether these Acknowledgements
wjl not 80 demOralze the North, and 80 strength
en- the South, that the hideOus front Of CouprO-
mise may be again raised with renewed hopes
and renewed strength. and whether the vgor
which has hitherto opposed it may not, by this
act have gone out from MS forever. As we sand
before we can not judge of the wisdom ct
this or that step. without better knowledge OF
all the circumstances than We now possess; but
we can not help thinking that ii ne are TO ac-
cept the terms of Disunion which the Confederate
States offer us, We may begin with some act less
humiating than the surrender Of Fort sumter.