Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1861-01-18

Lit u@ PAUSE VI Ahh m9AaenlOAs P0inFs an& ar
fufd the people Of both North and South an
opportunity for reflection. Would that South
Carolina had been convinced of this truth be.
fore her precipitate action. Therefore, appeal
through, you to the people Of ihe country to
declare, 10 their might, thai "7he Union must
and shall be preserved" by ali constitutional
means
] mcst earnestly recommend that you devote
yourselves exclusively TO the question, how
this can be accomplished 10 peace. All other
questions, When compared to this, sink into
iusign6cance. The present is no time for
palllatiou. Action, prompt action, 10 required
A delay 10 Congress to prescribe and recon-
meud distinct, practical proposition for con-
ciliation, may drive US 10 point from which
ii will be almost impossible to recede. A
common ground, on which conciliation and
harmony may be produced, is surely not unat
tsinablc.
The proposition to compromise BY letting the
North have exclusive aoutrol of the territory
above certain line, and giving Southern in
stitutions protection below that line, ought to
receive universal appreciation. Ia itself, IN.
deed. It may not be entirely satisfactory, but
when the alternative is between reasonable
concession on both sides, aud the destruction
OF the Union, it is an imputation on the patri-
otlsm of Congress to assert that its members
will hesitate for moment.
Even now tue DAGGER is upon US. In several
States which have not seeded, the forts, ar
seuals and magazines OF The United States
have been seized This is bg far the most Sc
rious step when has been taken since the cum
mencement Of the troubles. This public prop
L., L. l-r. Il
troops for its protection, because no person
doubted ITS security under the flag of the Couu-
tiy 10 all the States of the Union. Besides,
our small army has scarcely been sufficient 20
guard our remote frontiers against Indian in
cursons.
The seizure Of tlis property, from ali ap-
pearanees, has been purely aggressive, and not
IN resistance TO any attempt to coerce State
ar States to remain 10 the Union. At the be-
ginning of these unhappy troubles, deter
mined that no act Of MICE should increase the
excitement in either section of the country
Ii the political conflict were to end in civil
war, it was my determined purpose not to COM
mence it nor even TO furnish an excuse for il
by any act of this government. My opinion
remains unchanged, that Justice as we'll as a
sound policy requires ns still to seek peace
full solution of the questions at issue between
the North aud South. Entertaining this con
vlctIon refralnsd even from sending REIN
forcemepts to Major Anderson, who com
mauded the forts iu Charleston harbor, until
an absolute necessity for doing so should
make il self apparent, lest i. might unjux,ly
be regarded as meuace of military coercion,
apd tbus furnish if not proyoc4lion, at leas,
pretcxt tor en- outbreak on the part of South
Carolina No aecessiiy for these rsinfvrce-
ments seemed TO exit.
was assured by distinguished aud upright
gentlemen FROM South Carolina, that no at
tack on Major Anderson was INTENDED, but
that on the contrary, 1t Was the desire of the
State authorities, As much as il was my owu,
to avoid the fatal consequences which must
inevitably follow military collision. And
hero deem it proper to submit, for your in
formation, copies of communication dated
the 18th Of December, 1860, addressed to me
by K. W. Barn@a;!!, !. FL. Adams and James
l.. Orr, Commissioners from South Carolina,
with accompanying documents aud copies of
my answer thereto, dated tae 3Ist of Decem-
Der.
In further explanation OF MAJ. Anderson's
removal from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter, it
Is proper to state that, after ms answer to the
South Carolina Commissioners, the War Depart
ment received letter from thai gallant Officer,
dated on the 21th of December, 1860, !the day
after the movement from whi;h the following
Is an extract:
''l will add, as my opinion, that many things
convince me that the authorities of the State
designed to proceed to hostile act. Evident
ly referring to the orders dated Dec. llth, of
the lats Secretary of Wsr.) Under this i'm
preston, could not hesitate, that il was nv
solemn duty to move my commaud frsm for,
which We could not probably have held longer
than forty eight sixty hours, 10 this one,
where my power of resistance is increased ia a
very great degree"
Ii will be recollected that tho concluding
part of these orders were in the following
terms.
"Ihe smallness OF your force will net permit
you, perhaps, to occupy more than ole of the
three forts; but an attack on, or IN attempt to
take possession of either of them, will be re-
gsrded as an act of hostility, and you may then
yut your command lnt1 either of them which
yon may deem most proper to increase its power
OF resistance. You are also authorized to take
similar defensive steps, whenever you have tam
elble evidence Of design - proceed to hos
tile act."
1t is said that serious apprehensions are to
some exteut entertained that the pesce of this
district may be disturbed before March next.
Ia any event IL will be my duty to prevent il,
and this duty shall be performed.
In conclusion, it may be permitted 60 me to
remark that have often warned my country
men of the dangers which now surround us.-
ibis may b. The last tiiAs shall refer to the
subject officially. ! feel that my duty has been
faithfully, though imPerfectIy performed, and
whatever the result may be, shall carry TO u,y
grave che consciousness that /, at least, meant
we'll for my country.