Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-01
FIFTY YEARS Ago
IN THE STAR

xXV L ALL ~ AxAN
Hope that an adjustment of the sec
tional differences would be effected by leg
islation fifty years ago
Compromise gradually faded as It be-
r~.A came evident from the
w. reports emerging fro II
the congressional committee consultations
indicating that no absolute majority could
be commanded for a working compromise.
In The Star of December ~, 1850, is the
following:
or Saturday last the Senate's special
committee CT thirteen had session,
wherein it became evident that its repub-
lican members are as yet determined
that SO far as they are concerned not q
hairs breadth shall be accorded to the
end or settling the present sectional diff
hcultleS without civil war. A ma iority
of the committee stand ready to report
the plan of Mr.. Crttenden as the terms
OF settlement. They are the democrats
Of every shade upon the COMMITTEES. in
Guiding MeSsrs. Davis, TcOmbs and Dou Z
las. and the rest of its members except
the republicans. who one and all adhere
to the views Of Mr.. Wade announced in
his recent speech. That speech is for
coercion. and the republicans of the COM
down as their policy, We apprehend. We
can no longer look to this Congress for
any solution Of the difficulties whatever.
Yet We do not believe that an attempt
at coercion will take place at any time. -
Nevertheless strong sentiment against
secession did in fact prevail at the north.
beyond the Washington es-
PlttSburg innate. In The Sta of De-
.r:x, cember %. 1860 is dis
A~Aseu' patch from Pitt burg to
the following effect:
''Intense excitement exists here today.
in consequence Ct it's being made public
that United States Quartermaster Talia-
ferro was negotiating for the shipment
of the Allegheny arsenal Ct seventy eight
guns to Newport. near Galveston Island.
Texas. and forty-siX more to Ship Island,
near Belize, at the mouth OF the Mis-
s;ssippi river--tl.e apparent object being
to strip the Allegheny arsenal and place
the guns where the SecessioniSts could
get them. The guns are ten-inch Column
bians and carry thirty-two FOUNDERS.
Leading democrats telegraphed to Wash
ington to have the orders countermanded,
saying that the people would not allow
the guns to be moved a call is in cir
culaticn, addressed to the mayor, TO con-
yene a meeting of the citizens to take
action in the matter. The call is signed
by prominent citizens of all parties. The
feeling against allowing a gun to be re-
moved south is almost unanimous. The
meeting of citizens will be held at inc
DCquesne depot On Wednesday. the re-
port prevails that muskets, shells. balls
and cavalry accouterments have already
been shipped for the south"
In The Star of December %, 1860. is q
dispatch from Charleston which, though
in the graver aspect
Mai. Anders0n's unfounded. neverthe
less only anticipated
mVS0AeAS' later events:
''Charleston, December o. pm.-
Operators Dispatch.-Heavy firing in thu
harbor; cause unknown
After this came the following from Bal
timore, dated December %, 1890 am:
"a special dispatch to the American
dated Charleston, this morning. says
The government troops have abandoned
Fort Moultrie. spiked their guns and gone
to Fort Sumter, commanding the har
Dor. War has begun This is from q
reliable source
The next day The Star printed a dis
patch from Charleston. dated December
q, indicating that although the troops
had been moved from Fort Moultrie te
Fort Sumter by Maj. Anderson no act OF
war had then taken place.
In The Star of December %, 1860 is ar
editorial discussion of the Notifications
in Charleston Earbor OF
Charleston present interest as indi-
eating the estimate Their
AAoA oo1' placed upon the military
equipment at a point destined to become
historical as the scene of the actual be-
ginning of hostilities:
ut is quite apparent. by taking a
glance at the chart of Charleston harbor
that If these forts were actually in the
their only value would be to them to
protect the shipping in their own harbor
and no further. Four United States
ships could completely blockade the ap-
proaches without any aid from the forts,
and Fort Mouitrie at the entrance could
not relieve that condition, no matter
whether in the hands of South Carolina
or the United States. and no ship could
enter or depart without seizure.
ut is to be feared that South Carolina
has been imposed upon, either by dema-
gogues at home or by foreign impostors.
One thing is certain: She cannot take
these forts. unless by permission of the
United States government In order to
capture them when properly garrisoned
it would require at least three times
the strength of the fort itself, in means,
skill, perseverance and endurance. South
Carolina is not by any means a well
trained military power: hence in con-
fiict she would be most likely to suffer
reverses in the fed. except those vic
tories which accident might favor her
with and betray her into the belief that
her superiority secured the victory and
lead her into impulsiye and disastrous
operations
YOU AND YOUR TROUBLES.
Don't think your troubles than you can
lear.
Or that yo;:r twice great mine;
|, ia, h,S falS hair