Newark post., 1911-05-24


general engagement OF
first class importance. 1t
was time of preparation, OF the mus
tering in and drilling OF armies, of the
planning OF campaigns, OF a political
struggle over the border sta.es and of
the selection OF generals.
The preliminary steps leading to the
struggle had taken place in the last
davs OF 1860. They began immediate
" after the election. When Congress
met there were various conferences Of
III Southern Senators and rpresenta-
+iyes. followed by addresses to their
states and preparations for withdrawal.
South Carolina led the way in actually
seeding from the Unicn, her ordin-
ance having been adopted on Decem-
Der 90 or near.y three weeks prior to
that L. any other state.
WITHOUT COMPASS OR RUD-
DER.
The new year opened in gloom and
uncertainty The outgoing admins.
traticn was vacilating between the
doctrine OF noncoercion on the one
side and the stiffenng Union sentiment
of the north on the other and was do
irq nothing effectual. Mr.. Lincoln was
si'en. as to his coming policy. The
shin of state seemed to be drifting
without compass or rudder. In this
period OF doubt the CONDITION of the
nub.ic mind may be imagined. The
only people who seemed to know ex
activ what they wanted were the south
ern leaders. There was no lack OF de-
cisicn here. On January 9 Mississippi
wen; out. Florida followed on the 10th
and Alabama on the nth. January
10 Georgia cast in her lot with her
seeding sisters, and one week later,
on Yhe goth, Louisiana cut loose her
moorings Then came Texas on Feb
ruary !, completing the seven cottop
States. or cotton republics, as they
were called in the prints OF the day,
that ormed the first provisional gov
ernment OF the southern confederacy.
Events moved swiftly al the south.
On February 4 the provisional con-
gress met at Montgomery and on the
9Th had completed the plans for pro-
yisona, government. The next day
jefferson Davis, who had resigned
his post as United States senator from
Mississippi on'y few days before, was
elected provisional president and nine
davs later on Feb. Is, was inaugurated.
So matters stood when Abraham Lin
coin became president on March 4.
Things now began 10 happen also al
the north There was caution, yes, but
no more indecision or hating. The
difference was that the new head oi
the Washington administration knew
as definitely what he wanted as die
the leaders az Montgomery. His en-
tire inaugural address had been devot
ed 10 the one theme of preserving the
Union. Perhaps he did not yet realize
the stupendOus nature oi the trugglt
to reach that end. Nobody did. Mr.
Lincoln. inexperienced as he was ant
unfamiliar wi h recent inside facts a
Washington. vet seemed TO have
kcener insight into the situation ant
more livey apprS cation OF the grav
iyy OF the crisis. however, than dit
these who surrounded him. On th
very first dav OF his term he was fac
to face with the question that was t
prove the actual starting point OF tn
war, that OF provisioning and holding
Fort Sumter.
THE FALL OF SUMTER.
The anniversary OF the firing o
Fort Sumter. which occurred on Apr
y, has already been celebrate
throughout the land. The suppl an
1e-cniorcements ordered by Linco
were on their way and approached tn
tort during the bombardment, ony Il
be turned back Despite the discoul
agements. the dispsr rity in numbers, tn
exhausted food supply and the tallin
ammunition, the little garrison me-
our for three days, finally capitulatin
on the 18th On the next day Pres
dent Lincoln sent out cal tor 75,oe
three months troops. There was n
more indecision. AS Greeley SAID
the Tribune, the government at Ia!
had man at the head OF IT. In
challenge was accepted the moment
was made.
Major Robert Anderson, the hero
Fort Sumcer. had part later IN u
year. He was appointed to recru
Union troops in his native state
kentucky and as general had eha'
for time of the Kentucky forces. :.
The firing on Sumter was the begi'
nng OF the war The people OF u
north were as instant as Lincoln
rising to meet the crisis lhe VINO
north blazed. Even New York ci'
that was suspected OF dis ooyalty' ne
monster mass meetings. and one new
paper that had been siding with u y
south was forced to change ITS pom
overnight. States overfilled their quo
and clamored for the privilege Of
fering more troops. Nor only M
were forthcoming, but money ana 81
plies. Hardly siiIce the crnsades "
there ever witnessed such a spolita''
ous uprising. 1t was as tn ugh a
yine decree had gone form anu
heart Of the nation responded. ::
TIc rr..-I, affprfp1 eGudllN WI