The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-03-22
srArE OF MAINE.
Abandonment Of Fort sumter.

VI wv
Fort Sumter il to be abandoned. There
is now no doubt Of this. II the order is not
already gone for its evacuation, it will DO
sent very soon. The necessity for this SEEM
ing humiliation arises from causes wholly
beyond the power OF Mr.. Lincoln's Admin
istration to remove. Congress adJourneu
without placing in the hands oil the freS'-
dent adequate means to undertake any I'M
portan, military step, having for its object
the rccapturc Of the forts or the reinforce
mept of thoso which are so situated as to
require large military outlay in such way
as to ensure success. Distastciul Us is the
step to the great body of the Republicans
notifying as it will be to every true patriot
who loves the stars and stripes, and who will
feel sting Of modification to see the haS
of their country lowered to treason, it should
Do remembered that the abandonment is one
Of purely military necessity, advised by the
Commander-in.C Chief of the Army, the gal
LIANT Gen. Scott, who fully understands the
position Of Maj. Anderson and his command.
At Cabinet meeting held last week for con-
sultation on the subject, Gen. Scott, we arc
told, was present, and Gen. TOtten Of the
Engineer Corps, and both of these expert
enced officers said that ii could not DO rein
forced without cooperating force by land
of FIVE or eight thousand men-and that as
Mai. AndesOn's provisions were only suili-
cient to last some twenty or thirty days, and
as his fuel was about exhausted, it was hard
ly practicable to make the reinforcement in
season to prevent the starvation Of the little
garrison now cooped up in the walls Of the
fortress, even wero the means at hand.
Candid men of all parties, however much
they may regret the necessity of this step,
will not expect impracticabilities from the
new Administration. In tho early stages Of
this secession movement, had Mr.. Buchanan
been faithful to his trust, had he followed
the advice of Gen. Scott given in October
last, and then reinforced the iOrts in Charles
ton harhor, there would never have been
such impending national disgrace. Hissym-
PATTY with the secessionists, his promises to
them, and his general imbecility, weakened
the governmental arm, gave time for the reb
els to form and carry out their plans, and to
accomplish what for the time seems sue
cessful treason. Mr.. Lincoln succeeds to the
management Of the government under the
most discouraging circumstances traitors
and spcndthrifts have had full sway, thieves
and plunderers have seized the government
property, tho defcnces Of the nation have
been so placed as to DO made the prey Of reb-
els, and the governmental estate. dilapidated
at all points, comes into the possession Of the
new Executive. II must make the best Of
this bad state Of things, and with honesty,
sagacity and frmncss, gather up the shat
tered fragments. We see no departure from
principle in this now settled point, the eyac'
uation of Fort Sumter. Unlike the TOrtu.
ras forts, which command the entrance TO
the Gulf OF Mexico, and which from this
fact are Of general importance, it is OF con-
sequence only from its relation to the rcbc'
State of South Carolina. We do not under
stand from the tone OF tho Washington pa
pcrs that there is any intention on the part
of the Administration to abandon any other
forts now in the possession Of the Govern.
ment in the Gulf of Mexico; on the contra
~, some OF them have been already rein
forced, and the reinforcement Of others j.
contemplated. There is no doubt Of the
Administration pursuing such course Us
shall, without tho loss Of principle, preserve
tho public peace ir possible, and prevent the
elTusion Of blood ; such course rs will
give the people in the seeding States time
20 reflect fully ON the consequence OF their
acts, and to enable reactins public senti-
meut to bring them back to loyalty and I'M
ion. Time and patience will do much to
restore tranquility. Many Southern men,
scoins that no wrong is mcditated against
them. that there will be no encrOachment on
State rights, will cooperate with the Union
men in the South in efforts to prevent the
further sundcring of fraternal ties, and in
bringing back to their allegiance the dis
,nembercd parts of the Confedcncy, Mr.
Lincoln is pledged to execute the laws, and
will without doub: endcayor by all the means
in his power to do this, in the spirit Of peace
and Cancellation, with a view to peaceful
solution of the unhappy difficulties. II in
the wise discharge Of this duty resistance is
made, and collision occurs resulting in the
shedding Of blood and civil war, the rcspon-
sibility will DO on those who bring it on by
obstructing the execution Of the laws neces-
sary for the welfare and protection of the
country.
Nrv HInrsrliRH ELEcrioS.-The Concord