Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1862-11-19


This was what writer's on public law de-
nominate = partial truce under which
hOstilitics are suspended only in certain
places, and between town and the army
| besicging ii" 1t Is possible that the
President, under the laws of war, might
have annu!led this truce upon due notice
TO the opposite party; but neither Gen.
Scott nor amy otEer person suggested this
cXpedicnt THIS would have been 10
} cast Il reflection on Major Anderson, who
beyond question, acted from the highest
and purest motives. Did Gen Scott ever
propose TO violate this trace during It, eX-
istence! II Ice did. | am not now. and
never was. aware Of the fact. Indeed /
think he would have been one ofthe last
men in the world TO propose such meas
urc.
( Col Hayne did not deliver the letter
which he bore from Governor Pickens,
demanding the surrender Of the foTt, 10
the President. until the LIST of january.
The documents containing the reasons for
this worrying delay were communicated
4 to Congress IN Il special message of the
S:h OF February. the Secretary Of War,
under the instructions OF the President.
gave peremptory refusal 10 this demand
in an able and comprehensive letter, re-
viewing the whole subject, explaining and
justifying the conduct ot the President
throughout. Its concluding sentence Is
( both eloquent AMI emphatic
III. (says Mr.. Holt) with all the
multiplied proofs which exist OF the Presi-
dents anxiety for peace and OF the earn
+ cStncss which lIe has pursued II, the au-
tho-ities o. that State shall assault Fort
Sumptcr and impc-il the lives of the
( handful of the brave AMI loyal men shut
up within its walls, and thus plunge our
country into the horrors OF civil war,
then upon them and those they represent
must rest the r responsibility.
+ The truce was :Lcn ended, ami Gen
crai Scott i incorrect in stating that :;
lasted 10 the end OF that Administration
/ An expedition WAS quietly fitted out at
I New York under the supervision of Gen.
I Scott. to be ready for any contingency
+ lie arranged its details and regarded the
rcinturcc:nenis thus provided for as suiii-
cient. Tni> WAS raady 10 sail for Fort
+ Sumter on five hours notice. It's OF
/ this expedition that General Scott ;hus
+ speaks:
( .. VI that time. when this the truce
had passed away, Secretaries Holt and
/ Toucy. Captain Ward. of the navy, and
myself, with the knowledge OF the Prcsi-
dent. settled upon the employment, under
the Captain ol three or four steamers be
longin" to the Coast Survey. bu; lac was
/ kept back 10y the truce
/ \ strange Inconsistency. The truce had
expired with Air Hol.'s letter 10 Colonel
E IIavne on the ;5jh Of February. and Gen
/ eral Scott. III lis statement, says: 1t
/ would have been easy TO reinforce the
fort down to about the l2th of February"
. Whv. then, diI not the rcin.orc1mcnts
proceed This WAS simply because OF
communications from Major Anderson
/; WAS most fortunate that they diI Mt
proceed: because the three or four small
steamers which were - bear thrm would
never have reached the fori. and IN the
attempt must have been captured or de-
s;royd. The past inadequacy of the
force provided 10 accomplish the object
WAS demonstrated hv information received
from Major Anderson al the War Depart
ment on the last day OF the -h.ln.inis;Ts1-
ton.
purpo-cly fori,oar II present 10 say
more On this subject. lest l might, howev-
er uniutcntionally, DO injustice TO one or
more of the parties concerned. in conse-
quence OF the brevity required bv the
nature OF This communication. The iacls
relating TO it, with the appropriate ac-
compartments, have been fully presented
in Il historical review. prepared a wear
AGO. which viii ere lon- d. published i'ii>
review contains sketch @. the four last
months OF my Administration. ii i I'M
partial: al least such ! my honest con-
Niction That Ii has not vet been pub
li<hed has arisen solely from an apprchci.-
sion. no longer entertained. that SONIC
thing therein NIGH: be -njustly prevented
INTO an interference with tlIc Government
In a vigorous prosecution OF the war for
the maintenance of he constitution and
the restoration OF the Union, which was
far, very far, from my intention.
After 4 carefulretrospect, can solumn-
" declare before God and nv country
that cannot reprcach myself with any
act of commission or omission since the
existing trouble commenced | have nev-
CT doubted that my countrymen would
vet do me justice In nay special .ncs-
sage of the Sth of January. 1861, / pre-
santed full and fair exposition of alarm
ing condition Of the country, and urg'd