Evening star., 1911-01-08
FIFTY YEARS AGO
In THE STAR

4Av ALL ~ XxXAN
National interest in the developing
events which fifty years ago were tending
irresistibly toward civil
Piracy war centered in two
rl. places = Washington, as
0"Aseu' the scene OF the despair
Ing Efforts to adjust the sectional differ
ences by legislative means. and Charles
ton, the scene Of the most insistent prep
arations for forcible secession. In The
Star Of January /, 1881, Is this comment
on the latest sensational incident at
Charleston:
The transfer OF the United States rev.
enue cutter brig in Charleston harbor the
other day to the secession leaders was as
gross and atrocious an act of naked
piracy as ever was perpetrated. Her
commander, South Carolinian, one
morning wrote to the Treasury Depart
ment letter resigning his commission in
the service of the United States On the
same afternoon he discharged his crew,
pretending to absolve them from the OBJ
legation Of their oaths as United State.
sailors. swore them in as sailors of the
hosting the palmetto flag, proclaimed
the vessel and her appurtenances tn,
property OF the said independent state
That the secession leaders have received
from him this United States vessel so OBJ
tanned merely proves that they are willing
to resort even to fat-footed piracy to
precipitate civil war, to make the settle
ment of the sectional troubles in the
Union impossible. 1t will be remembered
that in this case the oligarchy are with.
out the pretense that the property apper-
tanned directly or indirectly to South
Carolina soil, as in the case OF the forts
arsenal, custom house and other govern
ment fixed property there
PRESIDENT Buchanan held his annual
New Year reception as usual on the first
day Of 1861. In The Star
President OF that date is a brief de.
cnuhh.d scription Of the ceremony
including the following:
the only noticeable feature of the
occasion was the fact that both secession
and Union cockades were visible unon tbe
persons OF not few present. females as
wen as males, and In more than one
instance the wearers of such badges
evinced the fact that they were endowed
with more partisan bitterness than good
u.anhers. !. Iney. however. refused to man.
liest the latter, to the extent of declining
the Presidents hand. and sweeping by
MIN with an effort at a display of lofty
dlsdaln which caused a suppressed litter
on the part Of all well-bred persons who
witnessed the ill-bred airs"
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In The Etar of January 2, 1861 is a
dispatch indicating the state of affairs
at Charleston, unmis-
Activity at takably pointing to an
inevitable conflict, in
CnaTleStOn. part as follows:
Strong Notifications are being erected
in and around Charleston harbor, to re-
sist the reinforcement of Fort Sumter.
The governor is daily receiving dispatches
from southern states rendering men to de-
fend South Carolina. 1t is considered
certain here that before the end of Janu-
ary the legislative, executive and judicial
functions Of the proposed southern con-
federacy will be permanently organized
and in full operation. Commander Petit
grew, in charge of Castle Pinckney, has
given orders that no boat be allowed to
approach the wharf head without permis-
sion, and if this is violated serious conse-
quences will ensue The city water front
is carefully guarded. The ladies Of South
Carolina have rendered their services at
the forts. and some have prepares bed
ding for the troops The Vigilant Rifles
have gone on secret service to Morris
Island. The ZOuaves and German Rifles
proceeded to the harbor at noon. Six
are drilling in this city this
evening. The Palmetto Guards. one hun
dred strong, have charge of the United
States arsenal. over which the palmetto
flag is now flying, the Stars and Stripes
having been taken down."
aA
Friday. January f. 1851, was. by recon-
mendation Of President Buchanan. OBJ
served in Washington as q
Day of day OF fasting. humiliation
Drawer and prayer. The Seal
1Iaye1' churches were filled With
crowds in attendance upon exceptionally
impressive services. In the House OF Rep
Chaplain Gurley preached a
sermon expressive OF the hope that the
differences between the sections would be
adjusted. Comparatively few members OF
the House were present at these services.
but an immense throng Of citizens at
tended.
An interesting point with reference to
the public discussion of the secession
question at this time fifty
Bad Faith years ago is that The de-
bate between partisans GEN.
Charged. tered largely upon the
moral right OF the secession proponents
to do this or that thing affecting the fed
eral interests. Inasmuch as there had
been no actual declaration Of war, the
laws Of moral obligations were still held
to be effective. In The Star of January
5. 1861 is discussion of the righteous
ness Of certain actions at Charleston:
Until since Maj. Anderson's move
ments the secessionists have not pretend
ed that the President was under any
other pledge than not to send reinforce
ments to the forts at Charleston. There
was not a whisper Indicating that the
troops already there were not to occupy
any one or all Of the forts at the option
OF their commander. 1t was thought by
more than enough that the
government should be deferred from TAX
ing steps to strengthen its own forts and
protect its own property, by the threats
Of men whose palpable object was to
seize both by force. IL not peaceably sur
to them; but even the seceders
did not require the pledge
that the troops already there should re-
main in Fort Moultrie. The President.
therefore, violated no pledge. il any had
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