Weekly Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-01-11

make the laws Itbeongs Congress exclusively to re-
peal modify enlarge their provisions to meet exigen
ces as thoy occur. possess no dispensing power. 1
certainly had right to make an aggressive war upon
any sale and am perfectly satisfied that the Constlt
ton has wisely withheld that power from Congress;
But the right and the duty to use the military force de-
tensiyey against those who resist the Federal officers
the execution of their legal functions and asaiust those
who nssa the property Of the Federal Government clear
aud undeniable But the dangerous aud hostile attitude
States towards each either has already far ranscended
and cast into the shade the ordinary Executive duties al
ready provided for by law and has assumed such
alarming proportions ~ to place the entirely above
and beyond the Executive control Ths fact cannot bo
disguised that are in the midst Of great revolution
In all It's various bearings, therefore, commenced the
question to Congress the only human tribunal under
Providence possessing powert meet the sting eer
gency 10 them exclusively belongs the POWER to declare
war authorize the employment II the military force In
all cases contemplated by the Uonstltution and they
alone possess the power to remove the grievances which
might lead to war and secure pcaee and union to this
dstra ted country On them, and on them alone
tile responsibility.
The Union is sacred trust, left by our revolutionary
fathers to their DESCENDANTS and did any other
peopu inherit rich legacy II has rendered pros
porous peace and triumphant in war; The national
dag his hoaed with glory over overy sea. Under its
shadow American citizens have found protection and
apact all ands beneath tbs II descend to
alterations Of purely material interest," when n the history
ofa Time, has Coniederaey been bound together with
such strong ties Of mutual interest Each portion Of II Is
dependent on ALL and oil upon each portion for prosperity
aud domestic security; free trade throughout the whole
supplies the wants Of one portion from the productions Of
another aud scaers wealth everywhere Thegreat plaut
ing and farming States require ana Commercial navga
ton States send their productions TO domestic and foreign
markets, and furnish naval power to render their trans
p0rtaon against all hostile attacks Should the
Union perish In the midst Of the present excitement
have already lad rad ioIetaso Of the universal suer
Ing which would result from Its destruction The eAAin
ity wouldbe In every portion OF the Union and
would quite great to say the least in tile Southern
as in the Northern States.
The greatest aggrayation Of the ey aud that which
would lace in most uniavOrable light both before the
world and poserily is as am firmly convinced that the
secession movement has been chiefly based upon mis-.
apprehension at the South Of the sentiments Of the
orty In several of the Northern States Let the question
be transferred from political assemblies to the ballobox,
and tho people themselves would speedily rediess the
seriousgrieyauees which the South have suffered.
But In Heavens name, let the trial DO made before we
plunge into armed conflict upon the assumption
that there is other alternative Time Ia great
yativo power Let pause at this momentOus point and
Afford the people of both North and South opportunity
for reflection Would that South Carolina had been
therefore apTea through you the people of the country
to dor In their might that "fHE UN10F MUST
Be rRIslavLD' by all constitutional means.
most earnestly recommend that you devote yourselves
exclusively to the question how this can be accomplished
In psare An other questions when compared with this
iuto nsgnincance. The present Is no time pall
alton. Action, prompt action, is required delay in
Congress to prescribe aud recommend distinct and prac
tcA proposition conpatiou may drive a point
from which It win be almost impossible to recele. A
common ground on which Cancellation and harmony may
be produced is surely not nuattainable.
The proposition 10 compromise by letting the North
have exclusive control of the territory above certain
line and giving Southern institutions protection below
that line ought 70 receive universal appreciation In IT,
self indeed II may not be entirely satisfactory; but
when the alternative Is between reasonable concession
imputon the patriotism OF Congress 10 assert that its
members will hesitate for a moment
Even the danger Is upon us, In several States
which have seeded the forts arsenals, and magazines
Of the United States have been sezei This Is by far the
most serious step which has been taken since the
mencun mt Of the troubles This public property has
long been left without gasons and troops for its protec
ton because no person doubted rs security under the
dag Of tie country In all the salesofthe Union Besides,
our small army has scarcely been sufficient guard our
remote frontiers against Indian incurslons.
The seizure Of this property from all appearances has
been purely aggressive, and not in resistance TO any at
tempt State States to remain in the Union
the beginning OF these unhappy troubles determined
that act Of mine should increase the excitement
either section Of the country If the political conflict
we're to end In civil war, II my determined purpose
not to commence H. nor furnish excuse for 1t
by any act Of this Government My opinion remains
changed that iustlce as well as sound policy
still seek peaceful solution Of the questions at issue
between the North and South, Entertaining this conYic
on, RETAINED even from sending endorsements to Mai
Andereon, who commanded the orts in Charleston harbo
until ABSOLUTE necessity ior doing so should masittet
apparent lest 1t might unjusty be regarded
Of Hiilt coercion and thus fnrnish IL not poyoca
tiOnt least pretert for outbreak the part
South Carolina. No necessity for these relniorcemens
seemed to exist assured, by distinguished and up
right gentlemen from soui Carolina, that no attack
Major Anderson intended, but that the contrary,
1t the desire OF the State authorities much
was my own to avoid the ia consequences which must
inevitably follow military collision. And here deem
1t proper to submit or your Information copies Of com
munralon dated the 18th of December, 1860, Addressed
to by Il. w Barnwe j. II. Adams and James H. Orr
commissioners from South Carolina, with accompanying
dooume IT, and copies OF my answer thereto, uated the
9ltt of Decent or
In fu iher explanation OF Major Andertons removal
from Fort Moutria to Fort Sumpter II s proper to
that after my to tho Sou Carolina Commission
the War Department received Letter om that gal
liant officer dated the nth December, 1860 tthe day
alter this movemen from which the following ii ca
tract.
~ will add Hs my opinion that many thngs convinc
ed that the authorities Of the State designed pro-
coed hostile nGtn Evidently referring the orders
dated Dei. H. OF the late secretary Of War; undtr this
impression, could not hesitate that it my solemn
duty to my command from fort which could
probably hayeheA longer THAI ortyeigh or sixty
hours hs pae where ny power %
ed IN a worry great degree.
II will D. ieeotcted that the concluding part of these
orders was in the following termsi
This nallness Of your force viii not permit you, per-
haps, 10 occupy than Of the three orts,
but an attack on attempt 10 take possession Of
either of them will be egafded as nn net OF hostility
and you mny then put commRnd into either of them
which y,u may deem most proper TO Increase Its powet
resistance You also authorized 70 take similar de-
fensive teps whenever you have tangible evidence Of
design tl proceed to a hostile act"
1t said that serious apprehensons are to some ex-
tent entertained that the peace of this district may DO
kurbel before March next, In any event, II will be
my duty to prevent It, and this duty shall be performed
In conclusion 1t may bs permitted to me to remark that
have ofen warned my c1uniymen Of the dangers which
surround This may be the last time shall refer
to the subject officially feel that my duty has been
faithfully though impereetly performed, and whatever
seousness that at least usant we'll for my country.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
wAsHNGToS cTT, January S, 1901.