The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1861-03-22
These are kev positiops. Sr

would have been tho Charleston
Pensacola, Mobile, and Louisiana
forts, II they had been occupied bj
garrisons. at the proper time. And
in this connection. it may be con.
sidered, whether 1t would not b,
better, also to withdraw all forces
from Texas aud combine them for the
Iprotection Of New Mexico, the fed
eral Capital and all other vital p ints,
than precipitate further conflicts on
the frontier.
Fourthly. I will notice q few ga
lient points OF policy suggested by
the above outline.
What would be imperative duty,
If the retention Of these forts were
requisite to maintain their integrity
against q foreign foe, becomes a
question, to some extent, OF expedi
ency, under other and present cir
cumstances. Then, il might be well
to huge our very existence upon the
issue, and pledge our entire resources
to the conflict. Here IL becomes q
question whether we will render re
clamation of tho dissffected states
impossible, and the fercest of civil
wars certain, or conform tho position
of these forts to that Of others, in the
cotton states.
As no one expects to wage a war
OF conquest, in case no adjustment Of
pending issues can be realized, 30 it
would be unwise to force an issue
which would make quasi conquest
requisite even to insure subsequen,
separation. II a separation is to be
the final result, there can be no doubt
that it will be less violent and de.
structive by present moderate meas.
urcs. Furthermore. it removes OBJ,
iec,s Of prcOont attack, and lenves
the so-callcd Southern Contcderacy
with an immense army and military
tax 10 manage, and no popular basis
upon which 10 predicate it. This.
of itself, will suggest to candid
Southern men the madness OF their
leaders, the seltishness Of their aims,
and the gross falsehoods OF the
charges made upon the Republican
party and it's leaders. 1t gives time
Tor tho loyal elements, which are
now ovcrshadowed and forced into
apparent acquiescencc, to reason up'
on the false steps taken, and re-as.
sert their rights; while, in no vital
sense does it impair the position OF
tho government, or drop it below the
position it has assumed.
|. must not be forgotten, that Con
gress, in view Of all the facts, failed
to supply the administration with
adequate powers to meet these qnes
tions in other forms. The simple
authority TO change posts of entry
alone, would have done much in this
direction.
Nor must it be forgotten that it is
one thing to thcorize, and boast, at
home; while it is more solemn and
trying thing for an administration to
precipitate any premature conflict,
when the destinies Of millions depend
upon their foresight and action.
O! course the collection OF revenue
10y irigates, or the omission to do 80,
or any system whatever. will, to
some extent, hazard our foreign re
lntions. 1t will devolve upon con-
sular agents wonted discretion,
and invoke nice questions OF law
gen raj and municipal; but, with an
honest, able Executive, and patriotic,
resolute and prudent counsellors, we
can afford to trust them, and a kind
Providence, for whatever issues are
in store for us.
The above are given as practical
views OF the questions involved; and
while they are based upon principles
OF strategy, that are fundamental
unless we are prepared for active
war, they seem to me to be no less
worthy the attention Of a thinking
and patriotic people at this crisis.
Il Ohio State Journal.