The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-09-01
REPLY IN THE NEGATIVE
By q Master Stroke Of Policy the North
Forced Our Hand
EFFECT or THE FRS T OVERT ACT OF WAR
II AIi.na the Sympathies Of Maryland, Ken
lucky, Tennessee and Missouri and
thus Led 10 the Fall Of
the Conftderacy


To the Editor: 1t was recently stated
in the News and Observer that Colonel
Mcclure had written a magazine article
expressing the opinion that war was
caused by the precipitation of the Con-
federate Government in firing on Sumter,
and that but for this precipitation a
peaceful separation would have been af-
fected.
| have not seen Colonel McClure's ar
ticle, but the facts in the case do not
Justify the above conclusion. 1t is true
that public opinion at the North remain
ed largely in a fluid state till crystalized
by the shock of war For awhile II ala
seem that public opinion was trembling
in the balance if it did not actually FAVOR
letting 1.-The erring sisters depart in
peace as poor old General Scott
phrased i.
But while public opinion hesitated the
policy of the new Federal administra ton
knew no shadow of hesitation or COM
promise. Lincoln's inaugural ADDRESS
was. circumstances considered. plain
and uneuuivocal declaration OF war.
When this address was delivered seven
States had left the Union and establish
ed a separate and independent govern
ment. The head OF the Government had
sworn faithfully to execute the office OF
president and to the best of his ability to
Preserve. protect and defend its constitu-
lion. Among other things this constitu-
ha cOllpptiOn
Confederate taxes. the administration OF
Justice in Confederate courts and the
urote elton of each State from invasion.
In this address President Lincoln ex-
pressed determination to hold, occupy
and possess the property and places be-
longing to the Government Omitted
states) and to collect the duties and inn
posts" little later by both word and
deed he declared that he would use all
force necessary to carry out the above
measures.
Now as matters then STOOD this was just
as much q declaration Of war as IL he had
expressed a resolve to occupy Gibraltar
or collect duties at Liverpool. For the
duties and imports in these States were
being collected, and nearly all the prop
erty and places" therein held, under due
process of law by the Confederate Gov
eminent. Every rejecting man North
and South knew that it was by the sword,
and Ly the sword alone, that the Fed
eral Government could collect a penny of
duties or hold foot of land in the seced-
ed States. The emphatic avowal OF
determination to do both rendered a
peaceful settlement of the question at
issue between the sections simply inn
possible.
Before Lincoln had warmed the presi-
Dental chair he sought means TO put in
effect his coercive measures. The records
show that General Scott. commander
chief of the army: Gideon Welles, Secre-
tary of the Navy; Simon Cameron, Secre-
tary of War, as we'll as army and navy
officers generally were called into coun-
ell as to the means of reinforcing and re-
vctualling Fort Sumter.
These officers enlightened by reports OF
sarious spies, sent under pretext of COM
municating with Major Anderson, in COM
mand of Fort Sumter. and who had in
spected the Confederate works and arma-
ment prepared to reduce that fort, were
unanimous in the opinion that Sumter
could not be relieved except by a
strong naval, aided by strong military
force. 1t was estimated that fully 2o,OoO
men would have to be landed to take the
Confederate works in reverse before, the
navy could with any hope of success en-
deavor TO reach Sumter and hold it's po-
sition long enough to effectually relieve
the garrison The decision alse was that
the holding of Sumter. even when relieved
~ ,vo1a dor ~
works that threatened it were occupied
or reduced.
Several plans to revictual, and II posi-
BILE, reinforce Sumter by stealth were
discussed All were rejected as impracti-
BILE.
Meanwhile March wore awav aid APRIL
came in. Misled by the peaceful assur-
ances of the Washington Government, the
Confederates attributed this delay 10 the
hesitation of the North in resorting TO
coercion. Earnestly hoping and striving
for a peaceful separation the Con-
federates while diligently Strengthening
their defences, took the most scrupulous
care that no casus belli should arise.
Enlightened as we now are by the Fed
eral correspondence and reports, We know
that no such motive withheld the hand
of the North. These reports show con-
clusively that policy and impotence conf
bined and not hesitation as to it's ulti-
mate aims STAYED the hand Of Lincoln
Not for one moment did he or his ad-
visers entertain the idea of allowing the
seeding States to depart in peace. His
sole aim and thought was as to means
to carry out the threat expressed in his
inaugural and to carry it out in such a
way as to make the South appear the as
sailant.
Colonel Mcclure says that in CONVEX
sation with Mr.. Davis held some years
ago, Mr.. Davis said that Sumter was at
tackled because the Confederate authori-
ties had at last become fully convinced
of Federal Implicitly This was the truth
But Mr.. Davis could hardly have been
cognizant of the extent of the Implicitly
for the war records had not then been
published. Had he seen the reports and
correspondence of that period he would
have known that it was neither public