The national Republican., 1861-03-15
Mr. DOUGLASS RESOLUTION.

be furnished the Senate as to what ior's III 'ne
seeded States " are within the actual possession
and occupation Of the United States, by what
number of men each is garrisoned and held,
and whether reinforcements are necessary to
retain the same; and, if so, whether the Gov
ernment has the power and means, under exist.
ing laws, to supply such reinforeements," &c.
1t can readily be perceived that grave consider
ations Of public policy may render it inadvisa
bic that such information should be spread be.
fore the Senate and the country. These forts
are within the limits Of States which have as,
sumed hostile attitude to the General Gov
ernment they are in state OF blockade, and
many of them exposed to attack at any time
OF course, it may be in the highest degree I'M
polite to acquant these States with the exact
condition of the forts, and with the number OF
their separate armament; whether in the oPn'
ion of the Government rein'orcemehts are
needed for any of them, and what power ana
means" it has in such case to reinforce. The
leaders of revolution at Montgomery would
doubtless be very glad to avail themselves OF
all the knowledge thus obtained, that they might
make their preparations, and guide their move
ments in reference to it {; but the Government
might possibly have some slight objection to
showing its hand so plainly. Fas est docer' ct
ab hoste is an old proverb, but we can hardly
expect the Administration to be so innocent as
to assume the Office Of teacher. We cannot
but think that it would have been as well to
have added to this part Of the resolution, II
not deemed incompatible with the public inter-
ests.'
The resolution, in the next place, so far as
we can make out Of the obscure language and
bad grammar in which it is reported to the
press, requests an opinion whether the protec-
ton and defence Of the United States make it
necessary and wise" to retain possession OF
these forts, and to recapture those which have
been taken by the seeded States, for the pur-
pose and with view" to the subjugaton of
these States. This is evidently call for
fuller exposition of the policy of the Admins
tration. Mr.. Lincoln, on the fourth of the
present month, in his inaugural address, made
clear and explicit statement Of this policy TO
the American people. Any new light he may
obtain with regard 10 his constitutional duty,
any change which may take place in his views
as to the course he may deem it advisable to
pursue, will doubtless not be withheld at the
proper time from the public, and will be learned
BY the practical development Of the policy Of
the Government. Meanwhile the Secretary Of
War, to whom the resolution of Mr.. Douglas is
addressed, may possibly feel some hesitation in
expressing his individual opinion upon the '0's.
dom of the occupation or recapture OF forts,
and in regard to, the measures which, in the
present emergency, the Administration, in its
united counsels, may deem it eXpedient to
adopt. A cali upon him for information would
seem to be sufficient, without asking his advice
upon the policy of the Government
The resolution concludes with the inquiry, I" il
such be the motives for rccapturing and hold
ing the forts and other public property, what
military force, including regulars and rolun'
teers, would be necessary to enable the United
States to reduce the States aforesaid, and such
others as are supposed to sympathize with them,
to the subjection and obedience to the laws Of
the onion, and to protect the Federal capital.
This branch of the resolution would seem to
look to some Legislative provision for the supply
of the military force, if such should be the
notires for rocapturing and holding the forts,
and this policy should be determined upon
but, as the Thirty sixth Congress expired by
limitation on the 4th Of March, and the Senate
is only in extra session, and thus incapable o
any legislation, we do not exactly see the object
of the inquiry. Action could only be taker
upon it by Congress in both Houses assembled
1t would therefore seem that the inquiry woulC
be more appropriate and pertinent then tha'
now We should be extremely unwilling 70 be
lieve that Mr.. Douglas offered the resolution
with any view to emharrass the Government il
the present crisis when all true patriots, with
out distinction OF party, should seek to strcn 9Th
en- its hands for the preservation of the Fedora
Union.
The Missouri Democrat thus speaks OF Hon
John Sherman in connection with the vacanc
in the United States Senate, caused By the ap
pointment of Mr.. Chase to q seat in the Cab
inet
"The chairman Of the Committee of Way
and Means would be no unworthy successor q
GnyernOr Chase. hs the rpDreSentatiye in The