The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1861-07-12
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
FeLIoe- CiLlzens "a the Ssnate

legislation.
At the beginning OF the present Presidential
term, four months ago, the functions OF the Fed
eFal Government were found to be generally
suspended within the several States OF South
Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Lou
islana and Florida, excepting those only OF the
Post office Department.
Within these States al The forts, arsenals,
dockyards, Custom-houses, and the like, inciu-
ding the movable and stationary property in
and about them, had been seized and held IN o.
pen hostility to this Government, excepting on
ly Forts Pickens, Taylor and Jefferson, on and
near the Florida coast, and Fort Sumpter, IN
Charleston Har5or, South Carolina.
The forts thus seIzed had been put in impro-
we'd condition, new ones had been built, and ar
med forces had been organized, and were orga-
nizing, all avowedly with the same hostile pur-
pose. The forts remaining in the possession OF
the Federal Government in and near these
States were either besieged or menaced by war
like preparations, and especially For! Sumpter
was nearly surrounded by we'll protected hos
tile batteries, with guns equal in quality TO the
best OF IFS own, and outnum5ering the latter,
perhaps, two to one.
dIsproportlonate share Of the Federal mus
into these States, and had been seized to be u
sed against the Government. Accommodations
OF the public revenue living within them had
been seized for the same object. The navy was
scattered in distant seas, leaving but small
portion Of IT within the reach OF the Govern
ment. Officers of the Federal army and navy
had resigned in great numbers, and OF those re-
signing large proportion had taken up arms
against the Government.
simultaneously, and in connection with all
this, the purpose to sever the Federal Union
was openly avowed In accordance with this
purpose an ordinance had been adopted in each
Of these States, declaring these States respec-
lively to be separated from the National Union.
A formula for instituiing a combined govern
ment OF these States had been promulgated, and
their illegal organization IN the character of
Confederate Saes was already invoking recog-
nition, aid and Intervention from foreign pow
ers.
Finding this condition Of things, and believ-
ing It 20 be the imperative duty upon the in
coming Executive to prevent, if possible, the
consummation Of such an attempt to destroy the
Federal U0ion, choice of means to that end
became indispensable.
This choice was made aud declared 10 the
Inaugural address. The policy chosen looked
to the exhaustion OF all peaceabe measures be-
tore resort to any stronger ones. 1t sought
only to hold the public places and property not
already wrested from the Government, and to
collect the revenues, relying on the rest for
time, discussion and The ballot-box.
1t promised a continuance OF the mails at
Governments expense TO the very people who
were, resisting the Government, and it gave re-
peated pledges against any disturbance 10 any of
the people or any OF their rights-of all thet a
President might constltutionalIy and justifaby
do iE such case. Everything was forborue
without which IL was deemed pn00ibI7 AeeP
the Government on foot.
On the 5th OF March, the present incumbent's
first tull day in office, letter from Major An
derson, commanding al Fort Sumpter, written
on the 28ih Of February, and received at the
War Department on the 4th OF March. was by
that Department placed in his hands, This let
fer prolftred the professional opinion of the
writer that reinforcenents could not be thrown
into that foFt within the time for his release
rendered necessary by the limited supply of pro.
visions, and with view of holding possession
of the same with IoFce OF less than 10000
good and we'll disciplined men. This opinion
was concurFed in by all the officers OF hls com.
mand, and their memorandums on the subieC
were made enclosures of Major Anderson
letter.
The whole was Immediately laid beior,
Lieut.. Gen. Scott, who at once concnrred witt
Gen. Anderson in opinion. On reflection
however, he took full time, consulting with Of
hcerS both OF the army and navy, and at the en(
OF four days came reluctantly but decidedly e
the same opinion as before. He also stated a
the same time that no such sufficient force wa
then at the control of the Government, or coul
be raised and bIough! to the ground within th
time IN which the provisions in the fort woul
be exhausted.
In purely military point of view this redu
ced the duty of the Administration in the cas-
10 the mere matter OF getting the garrison safe
ly out OF the fort. Il was believed however
tina. TO SO abandon that position under the cir
cumstances would be utterly ruinous that tn
necessity under which it was done could not
fully understood that by many it would b
considered as part of voluntary policy iha
at home it would dsorganize the friends of tn
Union, emboIden its adversaries, and 60 far t.
ensure 10 the latter a recognition abroad. Tha
in fact il would be our national destruction coz
sumnated. This could not be allowed.
Starvation was not yet upon the garrison
and ere ii would be reached Fort Pickens nigh
be reinforced.
This last would be a clear indication OF pol
CT, and would batter enable the country TO &C
cep. the evacuation OF Fort Sumpter as a mill
tary necessity. An order was at once directe
20 be sent for the landing of the troops from ih
Brooklyn into Fort Pickens. TINS order coul
not go by land, but must lake the longer sn
slower route by sea.
The 6rst return news from the order was II
ceIved just one week before the tall OF Fol
Sumpter. The news itself was that the off ce
commanding the Sabine, to which vessel III