The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1914-05-21
WHO WERE THE AGGRESSORS:
Writer Puts Blame for War Between
the States on Lincoln and Seward.

we're the aggressors in bringing on
the war by firing on Fort Sumter.
Jefferson Davic. in his Rise and
Fall of the Confederacy, says: He
who makes the assault is not neces-
sarily he that strikes the first blow
or fires the frfst gun
How can we arrive at who struck
the first blow in precipitating the
War Between the States? What does
the record say?
As soon as the Confederate gov
ernment was organized Mr.. Davis
sent Martin j. Crawford, of Georgia.
and John Forsyth, of Alabama, as
commissioners to Washington. They
arrived there March 5-the day af-
ter Lincoln was iuaugurated. Their
mission was one of peace. They sent
at once their communication to Mr..
Seward, secretary of State, asking
for speedy adjustment of all ques-
tions growing out of the political
separation upon terms of amity and
good will The whole conduct of
our commissioners was marked with
perfect frankness. They were met
with an equivocation, a duplicity, a
craft and deceit" says Alexander
Stephens, (which, taken altogether,
is without parallel in modern times. -
No direct answer was given to the
communication of the commissioners
for twenty-three days. But an lndl-
rect and informal answer was given
early in this way Justice John A.
Campbell, of the supreme court, was
selected by Mr. Seward as an inter-
mediary. Mr.. Seward assured JUS
tice Campbell that he was for peace
and that Fort Sumter would be evac-
uated in ten dayS--eyen before, a let
ter could go from Washington to
Montgomery. Justice Campbell act
ed on this and advised the commits
sioners to be patient.
After sufficient time had elapsed
Gen. Beauregard telegraphed to the
commissioners that Fort Sumter had
not been evacuated, but Major An
derson was making repairs. So
Judge Campbell had another inter
view with Seward, who said the
failure to evacuate was not the re-
suit of bad faith" and explained the
delay. This renewed assurance was
communicated to Mr.. Davis by the
commissioners.
On April Z, as relief squadron
had left New York. Judge Campbell
addressed a note to Mr.. Seward. He
replied: Faith as to Fort Sumter
fully kept. Wait and see." The fleet
had put to sea when this reply was
made and with instructions to provis-
ion and reinforce Fort Sumter,
"peaceably," if permitted; other
wise by force
In March, Capt Fox, of the Fed
eraI navy, was sent to Charleston by
his government. He assured our
people that the mission was in the
interest of peace and he was permit
ted to visit Major Anderson in Fort
Sumter. 1t later developed that he
carried secret dispatches and wanted
information as to how Stewards fleet
could best assist and reinofrce the
garrison.
Now this delay, this deception was
injurious to the Confederate govern
ment which thought Seward and Lin
coin sincere in their promises. Lin
coin was actively and secretly ar
ranging to blockade our ports and
big guns we're being accumulated.
Mr.. Davis would have improved the
time in securing guns and ammuni-
ton, but was over-reached by the
duplicity of Lincoln and Seward.
Thus while Mr.. Davis was deceiv-
ed into hopes of peace. was prepara-
tions were active at Washington and
a large force of soldiers had already
sailed for the Carolina coast.
When Mr.. Davis realized the stu
alton then he directed General Beau
regard to demand the surrender of
the forces at Charleston. On his re-
fusal, the Confederates on April ~,
1851, fired upon Fort Sumter. The
fire was returned.
Under these circumstances who
struck the first blow, or who fired
the first shot? The sail of the feet,
the order to reinforce Major Ander-
son, "peaceably,' if permitted;
"otherwise by FORCE" was issued
some time before Mr.. Davis ordered
Beauregard to demand the surrend-
er of Major Anderson.
Lincoln appointed a Cabinet who
were all the most radical Republi-