The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-01-04
Major Andcr>Om'> Coup d'Etat.
F.om the Slrihghc,d Republican.

There is no doubt that Major Anderson
took the responsibility" in moving his mel,
to Fort Sumter aud rendering Fort Moultrit
useless to the South Carolina rebels. By
this move he comp let.l y checkma,cd them
and defeated the scheme by " hich they hoped
TO &C, easy possession of all the forts
Whether he disobe!cd orders or merely ex-
cctded them is not evident, but in either case
the country just!fes and honors him in his
bold act Having the power to save himself
and his men and tie honor of his country,he
had the right to do Ii, orders or no orders,
and only traitors and their accompliccs will
censure him for it. If the administration
disapprovcs of ii, SO much the worse for the
administration. That Major Anderson was
not authorized in any way to take the course
he did is evident from the following para
graph in the Constitution, the presidents or
gan, hastens to arpease the exasperated
South Carolnians
I'VE believe that We are perfectly correct
in stating that this action on the part of Ma
ior Anderson was taken solely on his 0wn
responsibility. and not in consequence of or
ders from the authorities here. We have al
so reason to believe that it was not OCCASION
ed b, any threat of attack or hostile action
on the part of the people or military in
Charleston, and that there was no reason to
anticipate any change in their attitude in re-
ation to the federal troops. Under these cir-
cumstaEces. we must .rpyeSs or regret that
.N0jor anderson shou'd hare takn such u
Mp withom orders o. apparent necessity"
1t seems to be an understood thing by the
the South Carolinians, in which Mr. Buchan-
an humbly comedies, that the United States
has no right to hold or garrison its forts or
make any movements of its army or navy
without the consent of the kingdom of South
Carolina first sought and obtained. Hence
we see the commissioners of that state i'm
peratively demanding that Major Anderson S
course shall be disayowed, and that he shall
be ordered back to Fort Moultrie, and We see
the president actually considering the inso-
lent demand of the traitors, and asking for
time to think over the matter and consult his
cabinet The miserable incompetent was in
doubt whether on the whole he ought not to
surrender the United States to South Carroll
ma Internationally. If he gees on in this
way he will get the country into the utmost
possible "humiiiaton" he can ask for by Fri
day, but whether the people will be ready
for the fasting and prayer will be more doubt
full.
The correspondent of the Philadelphia
Press said on Friday
The president was entirely unprepared for
such decisive action on the part of subor-
dinate. and at once sent for the secretary of
war and Gen Scott. to know what it meant.
At this meeting quite an argry dispute arose,
the president and secretary of war denoun-
cling Major Anderson's conduct, and declar-
ing that he had violated orders by forsaking
Fort Moultrie and taking possession of Fort
Sumter, while Gen Scott defended his con-
duct and pretty plainly minated his con-
tempt for those who not only seemed willing
to sacrifice the lives of innocent men, but al
so exhibited disposition to see important
defences fall into the hands of the enemies
of the country. In his opinion, Major An
derson had done exactly right, and could not
have acted otherwise,sworn as he was to pro-
tect the lives CT the officers and men under
his command, and under strict orders to de-
tend his position. The principle OF selt-pres-
ervation required the occupation of Fort
Sumter, which entirely commanded Fort
Moultrie, and if Major Anderson had not Ia