Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-03-14
EVACUATION OF FORT SUMTER.

The New York papers are filed with rumors
of a controversy now going on at Washington,
both in and out of the Cabinet, relative to the
evacuation of Fort Sumter. Much Of this is
without doubt mere rumor, yet it is evident that
the question of either the reinforcement or
abandonment of that Fort is now under consid-
Grafton and must be soon determined. Major
Anderson is reported to be short of provisions,
and the defences raised by South Carolina are
of such a nature that, in the opinion of Gen.
Scott and Other well informed military men, he
cannot be reinforced with either men or pro-
visions without larger army and naval force
than can be for some months at the disposal of
the government, nor without large loss of life.
Under these circumstances this matter, re-
Gently so simple, is unusually complicated and
presents questions of a pressing as well as OF
delicate nature. If the Fort is surrendered the
scccssionists have attained their end in detyinS
the national authority and in firms pom and
otherwise insulting the national flag Their
success will everywhere be hailed by all who
sympathizc with them as an indication of weak
ness ON the part of the United States, and it
will stimulate and encourage similar predatory
attempts in other portions of the Southern Con-
federacv On the other hand, it is urged that
the Fort has lost all its importance in stratc-
getc point of yiew that it is utterly useless for
ali the present necessities of our government,
that it's abandonment at this jurcture would ct-
fectually break the remaining force of the Sc
ccssion movement and that it will avert what
is always the dircst of evils-a civil war.
If the Fort is to be surrendered it is an un-
pleasant necessity forced upon the administra-
| ton and the country by the imhecility, if not
BY the completely with secessionists and traitors,
Of James buchanan. 1t is legacy of the late
administration that we must accept however
uuvillingv. as an innocent child receives heredi.
tarv disease and faint from unhealthy or in
discreet parents. The virtue of necessity is the
only one left in the case "'rhirty days since
says the late secretary of War, Mr.. Holt, "the
fort might have been reinforced, but now it is
too late" And he lays the blame for the
neglect on Mr.. Buchanan. Andrew Johnson
also advises the withdrawal of the troops in the
| present condition of affairs. lie says that as
an original question he would have reinforced
without hesitation, but now the policy is not tC
/ participate conflict between the sections, but
to leave it to Southern men to deal with the
disunonists and dispose of them. lie also
dcclars that "Lincon's administration is no
responsible for the existing condition of affairs
which makes it wiser now to withdraw thu
troops than TO re-infocce."
This matter has not been decided by the ad
ministration, but from present indications W.
think it highly probable that the troops will b'
withdrawn. Such an alternative may be hes
tor the country, and if it is it should be adop
ted but it is a contingency that tngles tn
cheek of every man who loves the Constitution
and the Union.