The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-09-03
Who Commenced the WARP

ADranam Lincoln was clothed with Execu~
tive authority on the 4th of March, 1861, at
II o'clock NJ. Prior to that time for eight
consecutive years, Democratic President
had occupied the Executive chair. surrounded
by a full Democratic cabinet. For the four
consecutive years immediately preceding that
4th of March, not only had Democratic Pres
ident occupied the Executive chair. with a
full council of democratic ministers, but both
Houses of Congress had been controlled by
democratic msjorities, while the Supreme
Court was in full sympathy with the admins
trailon in power; SO that all three branches of
the Government. the Executive, the Legsla-
tive and the JUDICIAL, were all combined ia
support of the democratic party. Such had
been the character of the Government for full
four years prior to the Inauguration of MI
Lincoln.
Now what had been done during this time,
or before Mr.. Lincoln was clothed with Elk
ecutive power? In answer to this question
we submit the following statement of remark
able events" published in Southern Alman-
&c, of which careful reading is solicited ;
Dec. 81, 1S60.-Capture of Fort Moultre
and Castle PInekney by South CArolina troops
Capt. Coste surrenders the revenue cutter
aiken"
Jan. 3, 1S5l.-Capture Of Fort Pulaski by
the Savannah troops.
Jan. s. The arsenal at Mount Vernon, Ala,
with 10000 stand OF arms, seized by the Alaba-
una troops.
Jan. 4-Fort Morgan, in Mobile Bay, taken
by the Alabama troops.
Jan. 9,-rhe steamship "Stsr of the West"
hsed iuto and driven off by the South
Carolina batteries On Morris Island. Fail
ure OF the attempt to reinforce Fort Sum
ter.
Jan. lo.--Forts jackson, St. Phillip, and
Pike near New Orleans, captured by the Louis
lana troops.
Jan ll.-Capture of Pensacola Navy-yard,
and Forls Barrancas and McRie, Major
Chase shortly Afterwards takes command
and the siege OF Fort Pickens common
ces.
Jan. Is Surrender of Baton Rouge arsenal
to Louisiana troops.
Jan. 3l.-New Orleans Mint and Custom
house taken.
Feb 2.-Seizure of Little Rock arsenal by
Arkansas troops.
Feb. 4.-Surrender of the revenue cutter
Cass TO the Alabama authorities.
Feb. s.-Provsional Constitution adopted.
Feb. 9.-Jeffsrson Davis of Mississippi, and
Alexander IL. Stephens, OF Georgia elected
President and Vice President.
Feb, l6.-Gen. Twiggs transfers public
properly in Texas to the State authorities
Col. Waite, U. 5. A., surrenders San Anton
10 to Col Ben. MeCulloch and his Texan ram
gers.
Mar. 2-The revenue enter Dodge seized
by the Texas authorities.
In view OF the foregoing friendly paper
In foreign countryside Montreal Witness
very periinently remarks as follows:
Now all these were warlike and reasonable
acts, and all tcere committed before Mr.. Lin
coin entered Office. 1t is simply ridiculous to
say that he commenced the war. On the 18th
OF April, Fort Sumter was bombarded;. on
the 18th 1t was surrendered, and on the l4th
1t was evacuated. 1t was not till the last
named date that Lincoln issued his first call
for volunteers, TO put down the rebellion in
the United States. With these facts before
them, can any one continue TO call the pres
ent struggle in the States Mr. Lincolns
war ?"
We need add nothing TO the above fearful
record. 1t is terrible catalogue Of the
crimes of Democrats, and shows what kind
Of legacy James Buchanan -bequeathed to
his successor. He handed over to Mr.. Lin
coin country in revolution; country divd-
ed, and IN all the horrors of civil war; and
all this woe had come upon the country uu-
der his administration, while he, clothed with
all power, and having all departments of the
Government in sympathy with him, took no
steps to avert the calamity.
We hope our Union friends viii preserve
the record; put II up in their counting rooms
aud offices; stick it in the crowns OF their
hats, and have 1t always at hand to brand the
eopperhead lies with which the friends OF
Mcclellan expect to promote his cause.