The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-04-12
INTERESTING WASHINGTON NEWS.

WASHINGTON, April 9.
1t is persistently stated in administrative
quarters that the recent preparations are for
defen i've purposes, and nothing is intended
not strictly justified by the laws which it is
the duty of the President to enforce to the
extent of his ability. If resistance is made,
and blood is shed, the responsibility must
fall on those who provoke hostilities. The
assurance OF the inaugural is repeated, that
the administration will not be the aggres
sOr.
Various theories and reasons are given
in newspapers for the present military
demonstrations, among which is one that
they were stimulated by the result of GER
tain late elections, but this is an error, as
at the commencement of the administration
the President and Cabinet entertained the
idea of reinforcing both Forts Sumpter and
Pickens, but owing to non acquaintance
with the means at the command of the GOV.
eminent and the condition of the country,
the prosecution of the plans now progress.
ing was impracticable. In other words. it
was necessary to ascertain the extent of the
effects bequeathed to the President by the
late administration. 1t was deemed essen.
tlal to keep secret the objects of the militia.
ry movements, especially the sailing of yes.
sells under sealed orders, as under the late
administration there were persons who clan.
destlnely communicated its purposes to the
secessionists; and this frequently occurred
before the orders were reduced to official
form, and, according to remark of an ex.
secretary. the administration thus always
found itself embarrassed at the Threshold.
The present administration has limited
such knowledge to members of the Cabinet
and perhaps several trusty officers; and pre-
cautionary measures were taken so as to
render it next to impossible to acquire for.
hidden information.
The administration while constantly de.
caring peace policy, claims that it can
only be held to strict accountability by the
people, and however speculative NAV he
the publications respecting its movements.
1t is under no obligations to announce in
advance its plans and purposes. In other
words that the administration should be
judged by its acts.
That Pickens has been or will be rein,
forced, admits of no doubt, and the admin.
istration will do all in its power to either
relieve Anderson, or secure bis evacuation
OF Sumpter without dishonor or committing
the government to the Acknowledgement Of
any right or claim by the confederate states.
or IN any way recognizing the right of
secession.
The proceedings in the Gulf beyond that
OF Fort Pickens, will be governed by cir
cumstances.
The above is from reliable sources. and
shows to some extent the basis of the present
military preparations.
A. ID. Conner has been appointed Post
master of indianapolis.
Dispatches have been received here this
morning from Charleston which state that
one of the clerks Of the State Department
had arrived thence and had brought mes,
sage from Secretary Seward to Governor
Pickens. Mr.. Seward in his message dis.
tinctly informed Governor Pickens that
Sumpter must be supplied with provisions
from Charleston markets, and if Major An.
derson was not furnished regularly, the Gov.
eminent would furnish him with those
things which he most needed. We are
hourly in expectation OF hearing that hos.
tilities have commenced in Charleston har.
Dor.