The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1861-03-18

only . Polni Of nsnor.
The National Intelli gencer, in view OF The
fact according to it's presentation Of the case
that the question in regard to the occupation
Of Forts Sumter and Pickens only involves
point Of honor, advises the Administra-
tion TO surrender them to the Confederated
States. Evidently the "Southern sensibili-
ties" Of the editor Of the lntelligeDcer are
entirely too strong to leave any solicitude in
bis mind on behalf Of the honor Of the
American flag or the interests Of the great
majority Of the people. The Intelligencer
evidently regards that a. the Administration
OF the Government IL now 10 the hands Of
the North, that the Government can have no
appreciation Of its honor and ought to yield
to the chivalry without an effort, 90 there 10
no money to be lost in the transaction.
Thus it is that the South is accustomed in
oil matters to assume restitution Of honor
or bravery in the North, and to take it for
granted that Northern men and Northern
Governments will 60 on to their knees to
avert the wrath OF tho South. Indeed that
sentiment has become 90 universal 10 the
South, and has been so frequently justified
BY facts, tina. it is now rapidly leading to the
disintegrstion Of the Union and the destruc-
tion Of the Government.
On the implication that the Government
has no honor worth preserving, or that the
Administration has no such appreciation OF
it as would prompt it to stand on point Of
honor, snppose Sumter and Pinkena are snr-
rendered to the Government OF the Confod-
Grated States Of the South. In that event
universal shout OF triumph would swell upon
the Southern breeze. The Government
would be assaulted on all hands with derision
and contempt, and would be scorned and
scofTed at as imbecils and cowardly. The
Seeessionis.s OF the border States would join
their brethren OF the Cotton ConfsderAcy 10
heaping ridiculs and abuse upon the weak
ness OF the Government and the cowardice
OF the North. The cause OF secession would
gain thousands Of adherents in tho border
slave States from class who would sympa-
thise 10 the triumph of the South and in
their contempt for the North. Compromise
with people thus inflated and holding the
Government in such contempt, would be
nfafther Of than ever. Indeed no compfe-
mise could be made short OF adopting tho
terms Of the triumphant South. And those
terms would be little il anything short Of the
acceptance by adoption Of the Constisu-
ton of the Uonfederated States, and sub
mission to the Administration off JEFF. Da.
Wis and the Cabinet inaugurated at Mont
gomery.
We hold that 40 reasonable man who hai
any regard for the honor or continuance oil
the Government or the preservation OF th,
Constitution, ard the eventual preservation
OF the Union as for med by our fathers, car
honestly advocate the surrender of Fort.
Sumter and Pickens as q measure of policy
As . military necessity Fort Sumter MAY
have to be surrendered, but there is no sucl
necessity impending over Fort Pickens.-
Therefore, should it become an inevitabl,
necessity to evacuate Fort Sumter, ws srus
the Administration will only be the NOR
earnest 10 it, efforts to strengthen For
Pickens. While succombng to the necesstie
with which the late reasonable Administra
ton has envroned Fort Sumter and the en-
tire Cotton Confederacy, xe hope the pres
ent Administration will cot in reference I
Fort Pickeus and other defensible poin,
with such energy and determination % vi
leave no doubt as to its policy.
The idea Of surrendering, ~ q stroke 4
good policy, should receive most une
quivocal condemnation Of practical charas
ter at the hands Of this Administration.