Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-03-21


There IS probably not particle of truth in III,
report SO widely circulated that orders have been il
sued to Major Anderson to surrender Fort Ss,rntar
Indeed, we have good reason if not AUTHORITY n.
saying that IN spite Of all that has been said on H.
subject the proposition to surrender fha4 fort has
not been considered. nor ecen Iaz1e IN the cs;i. III.
of the President at Washington
In the inaugural DIR. Lincoln proclaimed his MIR.
pose to use the force at his command 10 hold. ocr,
and possess the forts and other property belsaing
to the United states Inc only question which has
been discussed in she Cabinet SO far as Fort
Is concerned, is how this pledge can be fulfilled
Instead Of proposing its Surrender the President
has called upon the proper Departments for i.scrS
nation to the means Of reinforcement He es;-o.
and intends to retain it, and will use all the means
the law and the public good will sustain him "a
ploying, for tie accomplishment of that and ! IL
desires to reinforce Fort Sumter with both MAJ, I
provisions; aud has taken the first step towards az
ecuting that design, by calling upon the pronep
military autnorlues Tor information as to the force
required Tor that purpose
Il is understood that Maicr Anderson raoaras a
as nearly impossible for any vessel to reach H.
gates Of Fort Sumter in face of the batteries erect
ed TO guard tae entrance Of the harbor. No mat
ter what armament she might carry, nor what de-.
ssruction she might cause she would insyitahiv he
sunk before reaching the Fort II this opinion.
however, snoule prove to be incorrect, and one or
SC9oNN0
three heavy batteries could be concentrated upon
that point and render their disemb impossi
bic without fearful loss. if not the entire destruc
ton Of the force. II will be remembered that while
firing blank cartridges for practice at Norris Island
not long since, Of the CONS proved to have been
shotted, and the hall Stsu.k the threshold Of the
gate of Fort Sumter. A prompt apology was made
on the pretext that the shot was accidental hut il
is not easy to load With ball accidentally
and it is much more likely that it was deemed i'm
portant TO test the range aud aim Of guns, trained
upon particular point for q specific purpose.
Whether accidental not the shot proved the feas-
Utility of destroying any force that might land at
the gates Of tie Fort.
It becomes indispe nsabe therefore, to take these
hostile batteries the first step towards reinforcing
the Fort. Upon this point we believe the Presi-
dent and his Cabinet are agreed. Every military
and naval officer who has been consulted concurs in
the opinion that force must be landed sufficient to
take these batterles-and that reinforcing vessel
can only enter the harbor after this has been accom-
plished. The next point, therefore, is what force
"a required for this purpose? Major Anderson, we
believe, thinks it could not be done with less than
10000 men,-while Gen. Scott believes it NAV be
attempted, with fair probability of success, with
lzOOO. Ii IS not probable that the President will
act against the advice disregard the opinion of
the Commanding General; he WILL therefore not at
tempt to reinforce the fort with less than this force
properly supported by men of war
The next question TO be decided, therefore is
whether he has authority under the law, to raise
such force: and this, we presume, is the point on
which his action will probably turn. If be has
such authority he will probably exercise it and re-
inforce the Fort If not, we presume he will scarce
ly be expected to make TIE attempt The last Con.
gress, 1t is well known, failed to pass any law en-
larging his powers with reference to the present
emergency. Whether laws already in existence
give him that authority, is point on which the
opinion OF his Attorneys General viii be required
II that is favorable. we shall look forimmediate and
vigorous measures for the reinforcement of Fort
Sumter. If it is unfayorable, and Major Anderson
is compelled either with without an engagement.
to surrender the Fort it will only show with what
success the last Administration pursued its policy
OF disarming the Government, and placing 1t at the
absolute mercy of the Southern traitors.