Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1861-03-21
The Rumored Evacuation of Fort Sum
teT-OpiniOns of the Press.

Occasional writes from Washington to the
Philadelphia Press:
''Late intelligence announces that fifteen DAYS
hence Major Anderson and his troops will be at
the point of starva alton; and highly distinguish
ed authority argues in this wise: Shall we let
them surrender, and thereby give the Southern
conspirators a chance to rejoicel Would it not
be bettes if the Government should say to the
people of South Carolina: You have been mis-
led into the belief that the Republican party, il
in power, would encroach upon your rights, and
bring upon the country civil war. We withdraw
our troops, and thus show you that you were
mistaken. We could have laid Charleston in
ash e., but forbear; believing that time will
teach you that you were wrong, that your best
interest is to return to the Union, and that moth
! ing but humiliation and disgrace will await you
outside of it. You are still our brethren, and
therefore we do not wish to shed your blood
am not giving you my own opinions, but simpl,
stating facts as they exist. The responsibility
awful and unuaraled as it is, must be laid at the
door of James Buchanan. 1t is for the new Ad
minstration to deal with realities as it findi
them
The National Inteligencer, after saying tha
il is simply impossible for Mr.. Lincoln to rein
force Fort Sumter, remarks:
at is apparent that. in the present aspect o
the case, the retention of Forts Sumter anC
Pickens by our Government, on the one hand
as also their possessions by the Government o
the seeding States on the other, are both ques
tions rather of so o-caicd honor than of public
safety for in the existing attitude of our rela
tions with other nations and with the secedint
States, the occupation of these pointsby the Fed
eral Government is of no material val1e to thu
United States; and equally is it tue that thc
occupation by the Government of the seeding
States can not be demanded on considerations o
security from hostile attack by the present gar
rson of these posts, for no such attack Is ieare,
Ii remains, therefore, to be seen whether ques
ton of governmental prestige and pride can b
made the procuring cause of hostilities betweci
brethren, aIienated it may be by pending dissen
sions, but nevertheless bound by the obligation
incumbent on the descendants of common all
cestry. Let there be forbearance on both sides
But, when regard is had to the spirit OF apprc
hcnsoI which prevails at the South, We are ire
to say that in our judgment the new Admins
tration might, 10y taking priority IN the way
Cancellation, 90 infinitely more to consolidate 1t
power than by passiyely awaiting the progress 0
events, with heart for any fate. If not sharin
IN all the solicitudcs by which the tactious hay
, sought TO disturb the Fepase OF the SoGther
mind we are none the less solieitous with rssar
to the consequences OF the disafection and anN
, iety which have thus been produced. and We hoI
il to be the FIRST aad highest duty OF the time, %
, the part of the present Administration, to Sc
, nalize the boncvolence of its inteations 10y act
that shall make for peace. II, in so speaking
We may seem TO give undue preponderance I
what NAV be called the 'scnsibii.ics' of ia
Southern people, sc are frank TO say thatit y !
e full sympathy with such sensibilities that :"
: make this appeal. though it is in the name
c sound and wise administrative policy, az well a
of political justice, that we would defend tn
c line of conduct thus indicated a. primarii. u