The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-03-22
FORT SUMTER.

Four months ago II was in the power Of the
Government at Washington to have armed and
kept every fertilization 1t possessed in the
Southern States. There was unmistakcable
warning that the possession OF all OF them
would be subject of early controversy. In re-
gard to those in the harbor Of Charleston, the
danger was by the highest, and II might almost
be said, the only military authorities in the
country, regarded as 50 imminent, as to invoke
an earnest presentation Of the subject to the
President, and recommendation that not q
moment should be lost in providing for the
protection of Forts Moultrie and Sumter. How
that Recommendation was received is matter
of shameful history. So far from strengthen
ing those points .eyeryenergy ofthegoyernment
was devoted to arming those who proposed to
capture them. Artillery Of the heaviest calibre
and guns of the most approved construction;
munitions sufficient for tho reduction OF
Bergen OPP Zoon, were placed within reach oil
the insurgents. whose designs, VIC now have
conclusive reason to believe were as well known
to the Federal Executive rs they were among
the conspirators themselves. And for fear the
proper amount of skill should be lacking to
direct the use of the implements Of Of warfare
thus deposited in the hands OF lawless mob,
q sufficient number Of practised and veteran
officers were pennitted to resign from the reg
ular army, to furnish the rebels with CON-
pctcnt military direction. II was, of course,
assumed that with such ample preparation on
the one hand, and such entire inertia on the
other, the forts would be seized without resls-
lance, and il rs bv the surprise and the ad-
minstration of Mr.. Buchanan, while really
abettng the designs OF the captors, would be
able to discharge itself OF any very formidable
responsibility for the loss. An accident only
defeated this plan. Major Anderson, with
some three-scOre men, instead Of remaining
where, in the administration programme. he
might have been readily reduced and captured,
threw himself into Fort Sumter, and dehed his
assailants. His example was followed at PEN
sacola and at other Florida forts. This inter-
ruption of the plot utterly Disconnected the
Government, up to that moment absolutely
controlled by Slidell, Wigfall, and Davis. 1t
was left the choice of publicly declaring Its
completely with treason, or OF Disgusting ITS
criminality by pretending to reinforce the gal,
LIANT fellows whose loyalty and courage had
proved SO embarrassing Had this course been
adopted with promptitudc, 1t was possible to
have saved Fort Sumter. But weeks were al
lowed to pass without action, during which the
rebels were permitted To obstruct the harbor,
enflade its approaches with powerful batteries,
remove the lights and buoys essential to the
safe entrance of relieving vessels, and to sur
round Sumter with forts, ornaments, and bat
teries exceeding in number and in guns the de-
fences of the garrison, II was only when these
difficulties had been raised that the Star OF the
West attempted with an ostentatious announce
ment, of the attention, to bear reinforcements
to Major Anderson. is failure was u fOregone
conclusion (; indeed, no one previously counted
upon its success, unless upon the assumption
that the rebels would, at the critical moment,
decline to inaugurate civil war, and that thus
the vessel might safely reach the fort. The
event showed the futilty OF such calculations;
and with the knowledge that every hour was
reducing the number Of men in the garrison
through the expiration of terms OF enlistment;
that the provisions were rapidly falling; that
fuel was almost exhausted, and that lights werc
not to be had, no further effort was made by
Mr.. buchanan or his advisers to succor the be-
leagured post There seems to have been q
nice calculation that the resources Of the dc.
fence would last until the 4th of March, and
the late Presidents retrenen from Office; and
beyond that epoch, none of those reckless men
CA cd to pursue the consequence Of their own
default.-[N. Y. Times.