New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-04-22
THE RESPONSIBILITY.

The Richmond Wing, referring to the extensive
war reparations made by the Lincoln Govern
nent forcibly says:
These hostile demonstrations constitute the reply
of the Government at Washington to the oVeftures
for peaee from the Southern Confederaey. They
are the insulting responses of that Government to
the earnest and almost disgraceful efforts now be-
ing made by Virginia, for the peaceful adjustment
of our national troubles.
The pretext that this war was begun by the Con-
federate States is too shallow for moments con-
sideration. The notice from Washington, that Fort
Sumter would be reinforced was substantial dec
laration Of war; II lett no alternative to the
| Confederate States but resistance submission
| self.preservation and common prudence compelled
| them to resist, before the threatened and over
whelming force should be upon them.
| And this unnecessary and wicked war-unneces-
4 sary because Mr.. Lincoln had as much c0nstu-
tional right to make peace as to make war
i wicked, because unproyoked and unnecessary,
and.will carry the horrors of civil war among a
people only DESTROYS of peacefor what end is this
cruel revolving and unnatural conflict inaugurated2
| To preserve the Republic? Tocompel a free peo-
Pile, by force of arms, to pay tribute to q hated
Government and to call themselves treemen, while,
in truth, they are slaves2 Isit not horrible folly
and absnrdity, if it does not contemplate the sub
iugation of the Southern Statesand if that be its
object, is it netsuch outrage on liberty, as to
arouse the Indignation aud draw down the curses
| Of the civilized world?
And how and by whom Is this monstrous and de-
testable contest 10 be waged Are the men and
money OF Virginia to be employed for the butchery
or ensaVement of her Southern brethren? Virginia
is still member of the Northern Union-her peo-
pie are still paying tribute to the Federal Treasu
rg--her citizens are liable to be called upon and
her money TO be expended in prosecuting this fen
dish war against our friends and kindred. How
long can this Commonwealth consent to play a
part so unworthy OF her renown so destructive OF
her interests so abhorreDt to her feelings? The
| Convention speaking for her by a solemn resolu-
ton, has declared that Ne people Of Vpginta
mil Reuer consent that the Federal p1,uP, acfch Is
part their ppeer. shat be etertcd for the purpose
of s,t3agatag the people of the Southern States 10
j the Federal autltorltg.n
Brave wordsana fifty spoken. Do they mean
HlEhat they say or are they empty sounds to cover
us with future shame2
This was written before the secession of the
State, but after the surrender of Fort sumter,
The Abolidonists are making great outcry about
& tho responsibility of the war, asserting that
the Confederate States begun it, because they fired
| the first shot. AS the Wing says, the pretexG is
/ too shallow for moments considerations
1t makes little difference, in point OF fact, upol
whom rests the responsibility. The war is now
Ieommeneed, and it is too late to go back and dis
cnss the responsibility, even if itwere q matter o
any moment. Everybody knows that the Lncolr
Administration. by deliberate deception, made
many Of the Southern people believe thatits policy
was peace. All the Whlie IL Was seeretly planning
and fitting out military and naval expeditions
wherewith to surprise the South first, and snbdut
/ her afterwards. The annals Of civilized warfare
afford no parallel to the deep and damnable
i treachery Of the Northern Government, Fou
hostile vessels Of war were off the mouth Q
Charleston harhor when Fort Sumter was attacked
and yet the Confederate fpfces are responsible 70
the war, because they fred the first gun! 1t was
4 in truth, an act Of war for Major Anderson 10 re-
i main at Fort Sumter after the secession DC Soutl
Carolina BUTT is useessto reason with Graz
Aholitionist They have no more respect for logi
than they have for honor or honesty.