The Portland daily press., 1881-08-11
FORT SUMTER.
Buchanan's Failure to Relieve It
An Interesting Interview with Judge
Black.

NAo AhiAoaOAphia L IOoS poluto boyou-cOl-
umn interview with Judge Jeremiah g.
Black, written at the latter's homo in York
Pennsylvania. 1t appears from this account
that Judge Black urged both upon Mr. Bucha-
nan and Gen. Scott the necessity of promptly
reinforcing Fort Sumter, and that neither
gave heed to his advice. Among other inter-
esting matter the reporter gives the veteran
Democrats account Of the remarkable mest-
ings and discussions OF Mr.. Buchanans cabinet
during the four days and nis hts, beginning on
the 2Sth of December, 1860. Three citizens Of
South Carolina appeared in Washington, styl-
ing themselves commissioners from that State,
empowered to treat with the government OF
the United States upon certain questions Of
property belonging to the Federal Government
in the State of South Carolina. They notified
the President Of the object Of their mission,
but insolently threatened to suspend all dis
cussion until Major Anderson's removal from
Fort Moultrie to Sumter since they had left
home should be fully explained to them.
Major Anderson's action, which met the hear
ty approval and warm support Of Judge Black,
who had been thel instrument Of SO framing
the orders that Anderson might leave the de-
fenceless and take the strongest position in
the harbor of Charlestown whenever he
thought proper, was severely criticised by ssv-
eral members of the cabinet. ie 'eas-,
The cabinet then consisted of Judge is.
Black, secretary of State Edwin NJ. Stanton,
encouragement; Philip f. Thomas secre-
tary of the treasury; Jacob Thompson, secreta-
ry of the interior; John b. Floyd, secretary of
war, and Mr.. Toucey, secretary OF the navy.
1t is needless to say that Mr. Floyd, Mr. Thomp
son and Mr.. Thomas bitterly opposed Major
Anderson s action, and the President even
was careful about approving it. Major Ander-
sons action, however, formed the least part Of
the important controversy which took place
during those four eventful days. December %
Mr.. Buchanan laid before his advisers paper
in the form of his answer to the proposition Of
the so-called commissioners of the State of
South Carolina. 1t was surprise TO the
whole cabinet, and only Mr.. Toucey, who al
Thompson and Thomas opposed it because
they regarded 1t as too hostile to South Carroll
ma, and Floyd's opinion had no weight.
Judge Black, Mr.. Stanton and Mr..
Holt opposed it for the reason that 1t
CONCEDED TOO MUCH
to the bellgerent State. There was not much
discussion of the paper In the cabinet meeting,
for it seemed to all its members evident that
Mr. Buchanan's mind had been fixed upon tho
points he had made, and the meeting adjourned
with the indications that this document had
exploded the cabinet. The next day Judge
Black notified Mr.. Toucey and also Mr.. STAN
ton and Mr.. Holt that he should leave the cab
met. His purpose was reported to Mr.. Bu-
chanan, and he sent for him. He went at his
solicitation, and demonstrated to Mr.. Buchan-
an the indefensible attitude in which he would
place himself did he send the answer to the
gentlemen from South Carolina he had pre-
pared, and how impossible it woHld be for him
to remain in the cabinet an hour were such an
answer returned. The impressive interview
ended by Mr.. Buchanan handing the papers
he had prepared as his answer to the insolent
demand and proposition of the South Carolina
ambassadors with a request that he modify 1t
to suit his own views and return 1t to him I'M
mediately. Judge Black took 1t, went to the
attorney-generals office, and in the presence
of Mr.. Stanton
WROTE THE FOLLOWING PAPER:
Memorandum for the President on tho subject
of the paper drawn up by him in reply to the
Commissioners OF South Carolina:
First. The first and the concluding para
graph both seem to acknowledge the right of
South Carolina to be represented near this
government by diplomatic officers. That i'm
plies that she is an independent nation, with
no other relations to the government Of the
Union than any foreign power. Ii such be the
fact, then she has acquired all the rights, pow
ers and responsibilities of a separate govern
ment by the mere ordinance of secession which
passed her convention few days ago. But
the President has always, and particularly in
of secession and asserted that no State could
throw off her federal obligations in that way.
Moreover, the President has also distinctly de-
clared that even If State could secede and 60
out of the Union at pleasure, whether by revo-
luton or in the exercise OF . constitutional
right, he could not recognize her Independence
without being guilty Of usurpation. think,
therefore, that every word and sentence which
I imply that South Carolina is in an attitude
which enables the President to treat" or me-
La~o har ,suos,
ers in the character of diplomatic ministers or
agents ought to be stricken out and An explicit
declaration substituted, which would reassert
the principles of the message. 1t Is surely not
enough that the words OF the message be trans
cribed if the doctrine there announced be prac-
tically abandoned by carrying on negotiation.
Second. I would strike out all expressions
of regret that the commissioners are unwilling
to proceed with the negotiations, since 1t Is very
clear that there can be no negotiations with
them, whether they are willing or not.
Third. Above all things, it is Objectionable
to intimate willingness to negotiate with the
State of South Carolina about the possession of
military post which belongs to the United
States, or to propose an adjustment Of the
subject or any arrangement about 1t. Tho
forts in Charleston harbor belong to this Gov
ernment-are its own, and cannot be given up.
1t is true they might be surrendered to . supe-
rior force, whether that force be in the service
of seeding State or a foreign nation But
Port OuutcI 10 iuiprcSuduio, anu CaIAOt 10
taken if defended as it should be. 1t is thing
of the last importance that 1t should be main
tanned, if all the power of this nation do it,
for the command Of the harbor, and the Presi-
dents ability to execute the revenue laws may
depend on it.
Fourth. The words "coercing State by
force of arms to remain in tho Confederacy, .
power which do not believe the Constitution
has conferred on Congress" ought certainly
not to be retained. They are too vague, and
sz~1& h1wxA fkrA AfFaA luxtxs IL -
President does not intend) to mislead the COM
missioners concerning his sentiments. The
power to defend the public property, to resist
an assailing force which unlawfrlly attempts
to drive out the troops OF the United States
from one of the Notifications, and to use mill
tary and naval forces for the purpose of aiding
the proper officers of the United States in the
execution of the laws, this, far as 1t goes, is
coercion, and may very we'll be called "coerc-
ing State by force of arms to remain in the
Union" The President has always asserted
his right Of coercion to that extent. He more
ly denies the right of Congress to make offen-
-, GtafA - 81 IL