The National tribune., 1907-02-14


with spirit that. he had not represented
) to the Governor of South Carolina that
he was in need of supplies; as conn
mander of an United States garrison he
could only accept supplies that came
In the proper way, and that he had an
unexpired contract with Mr.. McSween-
ey, a Charleston butcher. to deliver
meat, ETC., at Fort Sumter or Johnson
four times in 10 days. If there was
anything to be done by the Governor
1t was to stop interfering with the con-
tractor fulfilling his contract. Before
this reply was received. the Quarter
master-General of the South Carolina
militia sent over by the mail boat 200
pounds of beef and quantity Of veg
etables, with the information to Maj.
Anderson that a supply would be sent
down every day from the city market
of such things as he desired. Maj.
Anderson refused to receive the sup
plies, and they were taken back to
Charleston. The Governor then con-
sented to allow him to purchase his
supplies in the Charleston market, but
this was found to be impossible, as the
, dealers We're afraid of a boycott. This
concession of the Governors made Bit
ter opposition to him among the inflam
mable faction, led by such demagogs
nor's Office to inform him that the pa
tience of the people was worn out, and
they demanded that Fort Sumter be
taken without further delay. In this
interview Gov. Pickens showed more
than his usual cunning. He answered:
Certainly, Mr.. Rhett: lead the attack.
I, can furnish you with a number of
men and you can storm the fort your
self"
Rhett, abashed, drew himself up with
what dignity he could assume. But,
Sir said he. 81 am not a military
man." Neither am l." responded the
Governor. "and therefore I take the
advice Of those who are"
This attitude of the Governor of be-
ing entirely ready to commission any
loud-mouthed orator to lead forlorn
hope against the frowning walls of
Sumter, had marvellous effect in re-
lieving him from pressure for imme-
diate assault. 1t also gave the Cover
nor rank as the first of Confederate
humorists
All this time war-making manifesto
tons We're going on directly under the
eyes of the garrison of Fort Sumter,
and things occurred which heated the
blood of the men to the boiling point.
Steamboats, laden with war material for
the batteries to reduce the fort past
directly under its guns to and fro with
vessels were arrested, imprisoned, and
compelled to enter the South Carolina
army. The Captains raised their flags,
Union down. as an appeal to Fort Sum
ter to open its guns in their defense,
but Mai. Anderson did not even mako
protest to the Governor.
In every way Maj. Anderson's posi-
ton was cruel one. He felt that upon
him rested the responsibility of opening
terrible civil war in which, as he ex-
pressed it in repeated letters to the
Governor of South Carolina and 9TH
ers, Il have absolutely no heart" What
ever he might decide to do ran the
risk of being disavowed at Washing
ton If political expediency so required.
His mastery removal from Fort Moul-
trie had, as President Buchanan frank
ly admitted, narrowly escaped that fate.
The terrible pressure upon him brought
on eventually the preliminary stages of
softening of the brain. which, within Il
year. became so manifest as to compel
the Department of the Ohio.
South Carolina Sends Another Envoy.
to Washington by Maj. Anderson, Gov.
Pickens at the same time dispatchedl
an envoy of his own, who arrived in
Washington Jan. IL, and on Jan. II
held an informal and unofficial inter-
view" with President Buchanan He
was Informed that as so much misrep-
resentation had hitherto occurred. it'll
would pe necessary TO have all official