The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-01-16

sentiments oil the majority IN severai OF the
Northern States. Let the question be trans
terred from political assemblies 70 the ballot-
box, and the people themselves would speed.
lily redress the serious grievances which the
South have suffered. But, in Heavens name,
let the trial be made before we plunge into
armed conflict upon the mere assumption
that there is no other alternative. Time is
a great conservative power. Let US pause
at this momentous point, and afford the peo-
pie both North aud South an opportunity for
reflection. Would that South Carolina had
been convinced Of this truth before her pre-
1 cipitate action @
therefore appeal through you 70 the PEG
pie of the country to declare in their might
that the Union must and shalt be preserved
by all constitutional means. most earnest
Ily recommend that you devote yourselves
exclusively to the question how this can be
accomplished in peace. All other questions,
when compared with this, sink into insigniii-
canoe. The present is no time for pallia-
tons. Action, prompt action. is required.
A delay in Congress TO prescribe or 70 rec
ommend distinct and practical proposition
for cancellation may drive Us to a point from
which it will be almost impossible 70 recede.
A common ground an which Cancellation
and harmony can be prOduce,l is surely not
unattainable. The proposition TO compro-
mise by letting The North have exclusive con-
troll OF the territory above certain line, and
to give Southern institutions protection be-
low that line. ought to receive universal APP
probation. In itself, indeed il may not be
entirely satisfactory, but when the alterna-
tive is between reasonable concession on
both sides and a destruction of the Union, il
is an imputatnn upon The patriotism Of Con.
gress TO assert that its members will hesitate
| for moment.
Even now the danger is upon us. IN sew
erai of the States which have mt yet seeded
the forts, arsenals, and magazines 81 the Uni.
! ted States have been seized. This is by far
the most serious step WHICH has been taken
since the commencement Of the troubles.
This public property has long been left with
out garrisons and troops for its.protec ton,
because no person doubted its security un-
der the flag Of the country in any State Of
the Union. Besides, our small army has
scarcely been sufficient to guard our remate
frontiers against Indian incursions. The
seizure Of this property. from all appearance
es. has been purely aggressive. and not IN
resistance to any attempt TO coerce State
or States TO remain in the Union.
At the beginning Of these unhappy troub.
les determined that no act Of nine should
increase the excitement in either section oi
the country. II the political conflict were
/ to end in a civil war It was my determ ned
purpose not 10 commence II, nor even 10 fur
nish an excuse for it by any act Of this Gov
ernment. My opinion remains unchanged,
that justice as well as sound policy require
Us still to seek a peaceful solution Of the
questions at issue between the North and
the South. Entertaining this conviction. |
RETAINED even from sending reiniorcements
| TO Major Anderson, who commanded the forts
\ in Charleston harbnr. until an absolute ne
cessity for doing 50 should make Itself appa-
rent, lest il might unju,tly be regarded a. a
menace Of military coercion, and thus fur
nIsh, il not a pr0y0cal0n, al least a pretext
FOR an outbreak on the part Of SpIlh Caroli-
IA. No necessity for these reinforcements
seemed 10 exist. | was assured by dislin-
gaished and upright gentlemen Of South Car.
DINA that no attack upon Majur Anderson
was intended. bur that, on the contrary, IL
was the desire Of the State authorities, a.
much a. it was nv Own, to avoid the fatal
consequences which must e.enlually follow
military collision.
And here deem il proper % submit FOR
your information copies 0f communication
me By X. w. Barnaell. J. II. Adams. and
James L. Orr. q Commissioners from South
Carolina. with the accompanying documents.
and copies Of my answer thereto, dated 5lst
December.
/ 10 further expIanstion 81 Major Anderson's
removal from Fort Moaltric to Fort Sumter,
il is proper 60 state that, after nv answer Il
the South Carolina Commissioners, tie War
Department received letter from that gal.
LIANT officer dated on the eth December, 1860
the day after this movement, from which de
following Is an extract:
II vii add j. nv opinion, that many thing, eon.
wheel me that The suthoities Of he STATE designed "a
proceed 70 hostile sei." lEsiJenty feisnns 10 ihs
orders dsied tie lin December. 81 he iss stcfttay
u watl UnIsr this impression ! could not hssi.
tate thai i M s0lenn duty 70 move my command
from ! fort which could not probsbiy have htld
longer than lofiy-sght o. liIiy hours, q Ibis one
slefe nv poser u resistance i increased % ! serj
great degree
II VIII DC tbIbAeGAtH tnAt tNe GuUGl1uANl
part u these orders was IN The following
terms:
The smllnsss ofyoar force aiil nsi permit 700
perhaps, 70 occupy han 81 the three FORTS bB
on attack senPto take possession u either %,
~ them will be REGARDED an act u b9giy end you
may Len PIT y0at command inio eiihst u them which
you msy deem most proper, 70 increase u poser x
resistance. You aisJ authorized u lsks tiuilii
defensive steps Whenever you have tangible esJfncs
Of design 70 proceed q I hostile act
Y II Is said that serious approximations are ia
some extent eaiertaioed, 10 which ! do no,
share, that the peace q this District may be
disturbed before the 9Th 81 March next. IN
any event. il will BE- ny duty to preserve Il,
and this duty shall be performed.
IN conclusion, il may be permitted 70 me
10 remark that have often warned nv com.
lirymen Of tie dangers which now surround
us, THIS may be Che last time shall refer
/ 20 The subject officially. feel that ms Do.
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