The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-09-12
FIRING ON SUMTER.
WAS ACT OF CONFEDERATE AUTHORITIES
IN so DOING PREClPITATE?


Stroke of Policy the North Forced
Our Hand-Effect of the First Overt
Act of War, Alternating the SYM
pathies of T1ar ryland, Kentucky, Ten
nessee and Missouri.
Raleigh News and Observer.
To the Editor:-It was recently
stated in the NeUs and Observer that
Colonel Mcclure had written a maga-
zine article expressing the opinion
that war was caused by the precipita-
tion OF the Confederate Government
in firing on Sumter. and that but for
this precipitation peaceful separa-
ton would have been effected.
| have not seen Colonel McClure's
article, but the facts in the case do
not Justify the above conclusion. 1t
is true that public opinion at the
North remained largely in fluid
state till crystalized by the shock of
war. For awhile it did seem that
public opinion was trem bling in the
balance il it did not actually favor
letting 1.-The erring sisters depart in
peace" as poor old General Scott
phrased it.
But while public opinion hesitated
the policy of the new Federal admin
istration knew no shadow Of hesita-
tion or compromise. Lincoln's in
augural address was, circum stances
considered, a plain and unequivocal
declaration of war. When this ad-
4 Il h,I
left the Union and established sepa
rate and independent government.
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 de-
fend it's Constitution. Among other
things this Constitution prescribed
were the collection OF Confederate
taxes, the administration of Justice
in Confederate courts and the protec
tion of each State from invasion.
In his address President Lincoln
expressed a determination to ..hold,
occupy and possess the property and
places. belonging to the Government
Omitted States) and to collect the
duties and imports A little later,
by both word and deed, he declared
to carry out the above measures.
Now as matters then stood this was
Just as much a declaration of war as
if he had expressed resolve to oc-
cupy Gibraltar or collect duties at
Liverpool. For the duties and inn
ports in these States were being col
lected, and nearly all the property
and places" therein held, under due
process of law by the Confederate
Government. Every rejecting man
North and South knew that it would
be by the sword, and by the sword
alone, that the Federal Government
could collect a penny of duties or hold
foot of land in the seeded States.
The emphatic avowal OF a determiha-
tion to do both rendered a peaceful
settlement OF the question at issue
between the sections simpl y impos-
sible.
Before Lincoln had warmed the
presidential chair he sought means to
put in effect his coercive measures.
The records show that General Scott,
commander-in-chi of the army;
Gideon Welles, Secretary Of the Navy;
Simon Cameron, Secretary Of War; as
we'll as army and navy officers gen
orally, were called into council as to
the means OF reinforcing and revic-
tualing Fort Sumter.
These officers, enlightened by re-
ports Of various spies, sent under pre-
| text of communicating with Major
Anderson, in command vi Fort Sum
ter, and who had inspected the Con-
federate works and armament pre-
pared to reduce that fort, were unan-
imous in the opinion that Sumter
could not be relieved except by a
strong navals aide.i by a strong mill
tary, force. 1t was estimated that
fully 5000 men would have to be
landed to take the Confederate works
] in reverse before the navy could,
with any hope of success, endeavor to
reach Sumter and hold its position
long enough to effectuaIly relieve the
| garrison. The decision also was that
the holding OF Sumter, even when re-
lieved, was impracticabie. unless the
Confederate works that threatened it
were occupied or reduced.
Several plans to revictual, and, ii
possible, reinforce Sumter by stealth
were discussed. All were rejected as
impracticable.
Meanwhile March wore away and
april came in. Misled by the peace
! ful assurances of the Washington
| Government, the Confederates at
tributed this delay to the hesitation
of the North in resorting to coercion.
Earnestly hoping and striving for Il
peaceful separation the Confederates.
while diligently strengthening their
defences, took the most scrupulous
care that no casus belli should arise.
Enlightened as we now are by the
Federal correspondence and reports,
we know that no such motive with
! held the hand OF the North. These
reports show conclusively that policy
and impotence combined, and not
| hesitation as to its ultimate aims,
STAYED the hand of Lincoln. Not for
one moment did he or his advisers
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 ex-
pressed in his inaugural and to carry
| it out in such a way as to make the
South appear the assailant.
Colonel Mcclure says that in con-
versation with Mr.. Davis some years
ago, Mr.. Davis said that Sumter was
attacked because the Confederate
authorities had at last become fully
convinced of Federal duplicity. This
1 was the truth. But Mr.. Davis could
hardly have been cognizant Of the ex-
tent of the duplicitv, for the wal
records had not then been published.
Had he seen the reports and CORES,