Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-15

L ~ AU IA IN ~ ~ IL IN
"Star OF the West'' Fired Upon-Opinion
Oh Judge LOngstreet.
1t was thought short time since that the
Harriet Lane" was the vessel which the Cow
eminent designed to send to Charleston Harbor.
In Its stead the Government sent the steamer
'Star OF the Vest on the same mission. When
the Harriet Lane" was expected, Judge Long
street, one of the most violent secessionists in
South Carolina, and an individual who has prob
ably done more to excite the people there to re-
belllon against the Government than any other
single person, in anticipation that the vessel
would be fred upon by the Carolinians, wrote
an able pamphlet, appealing to them in the
strongest possible terms not to be guilty of such
madness and suicidal wrong. It will be thus
seen that one OF the wisest, though most unconl-
promising secessionists, condemns inl the very
strongest manner the assault which has been
made upon the steamer "Star of the West" and
deems it an act which no consideration can ex-
cuse. Yet, strange as it may seem, that act
finds apologists among some of the secessionists
OF this calm and conservative region. In their
blind zeal they out-Herod even Judge Longstreet,
the prince of Secessionists. The following are
extracts from the pamphlet to which we have
referred: as
1t seems to be generally understood (and ep-
proved OF that if the. Harriet Lane attempts to
enter this port she will be fred into; and, if
rrumor is to be credited, Enis is to be done with
rout parley or explanations If have not lost
my senses, this is the most dangerous, useless,
i'll advised measure which, could possibly be
adopted just at this time. Thus far the war be-
tween South Carolina and the Federal Govern
ment has been constructive; the first gun fired
makes it actual. Thus far South Carolina has
manifested purely defensive position this
measure is openly aggressive, and is to draw the
first blood from citizen of the United States;
and, for aught that we know, from some cham
pion of the cause of South Carolina
X B. X X
1t will unite the North and the world against
her. 1t will verify the dismal predictions of the
Isubmissionists, and blast the reputation of the
secessionists 1t will precipitate South Carolina
from the highest pinnacle of fame to the lowest
depths of humiliation. When | Think of the
probability of it, my soul is so heavily burdened
with the awful responsibility of the act, that l
can hardly bring MY thoughts to decent order,
or my pen to decent style. If nothing else would
stay the act, would cheerfuly surrender the
power of speech and of hearing for the balance
of my life to avert it.
4 =
| Why, then, just as are about to reap the
best fruits of our labors are we going to become
rash indeed, and fling them away for the apples
| of Sodom2 May God save US from this meas
ure! Take away the apology of uniting the
South, - and the act stands before the world
without excuse.
| Woe to the people who bring on such con-
fict, but from dire necessity Is it necessary {?
| No, no, no! 1t il not only bootless, desperate,
| but wholly unnecessary Mr.. Buchanan says
be does not mean to attack any State tor seced-
| ing All the Black Republican presses say the
same thing. But they mean to collect the rev.
enues. This to be sure, is war in disguise, but
practically it is harmless, and we will be able
to keep it in disguise until the proper time for
us to strip the monster of its VEIL
Is it any disgrace not to initiate hopeless
conflict ANY nation would be excused for de-
clining such conflict but no nation could be
excused for beginning it. What must be thought
of the nation who would begin it on the Ddter,
| without gun boat or a sailor 10 sustain ltF-
And what sort of beginning of it will it be to
| fire few useless shots at a mere Government
cutter9 Provoke open and unequal war to pre-
vent the Strengthening OF a fort which is already
too strong for US !
Here is the beginning and the end of the plan
proposed: Fire fewsBorthless shots at a ves-
sel-set Sumpter to firing upon Moultrie--hold
Moultrie till some hundreds of our sons are bu-
ried in its ruins-then desert it, and wait the
| wrath of the United States upon our devoted
city If all the forts were crammed full of men,
they would not attack the city unless first at
tackled. If we were sure they would, we can
not prevent it: why, then, in the name of God,
bring on war of such fearful consequences
If you mean to hold Moultrie, implore you to
let the first shot come from the enemy. Burn
that precept in your hearts If you despise ecery-
thing else that haue aoritten. But | would
abandon it now if demanded, putting it just as
Anderson left it, But no, it must be held, des-
perate as is the tenure, or we shall be called
towards. Fools may so call you-no wise
man will sit must end in q war;" says one,
ssand we'd as we'll bring it on at once" 1t new
er will end in war if the South will be pru-
dent, and we must let no Southern State begin
| it, And if Southern State is to begin it, let
her not begin it on the water.
A. Fl. LoNGsTREET.
| l., of~fo