Year: 1861

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reasons. Not because, in the opinion O


the Administration, the holding of the


fort would irritate the public mind and


render cancellation and harmony doubtful


but because the military and naval power


docs not exist 10 penetrate to that point


Unless tho purpose of the President was


to use force so far as was necessary, he
would, If his object was purely conciliato
ry, withdraw the troops for political and
not military reasons. This was the only
reason why the evacuation was to be ex.
cused by the dominant party, and the
Republican press Then, he thought, he
was justified in constituting the inaugural to
mean that the President will hold the forts
and other places within the Confederate
States, and collect duties on imports to the
extent of his power; and if there is any
modification, it will be because of his ina.
bility, and not because he would be willing
to withdraw the troops for the purpose of
producing Cancellation and peace in the
public mind.


1t was avowcd the other day, when the
bill was passed making an appropriation
for certain number of steamers of light
draught and heavy armament, that it was
for no other purpose than to invade the
shallow waters of the Southern States,
should this become necessary.


The public press gave but little ground
of hope that this policy, if pursued, would
avoid bloodshed. The character of the
Cabinet was not such as to induce the be-
lief that force will not be used. Although
Mr.. Seward breathcd general words Of
Cancellation, he said he would "not only
speak good many words for the Union,
but would fight for the Union" If this
gentleman had modified his views, he (Mr.
Brockinridge) did not know of it.-Thc
Secretary of the Treasury, the Postmaster
General, the Attorney General, and per-
WITH &&Itf 6hS ES5 EXCEPTION, afd| and&srstood BY the
country to favor the policy of coercion, if
it becomes necessary to reduce the South
to subjugation.


The very organization of the Senate,
and the opinions continually expressed by
the Republicans here, show that their pur-
pose is to maintain the authority of the
Federal Government over the withdrawing
States, by force if necessary. In the for.
nation of the standing committee there
was scarcely a chairman of any one of
them whose known opinion was not in ia
vor of this policy. The country should
not be deceived. What was meant by
peace and conciliation? How was it to be
maintained! He desired to know it as
sincerely as he desired the Union of all
the States. lie had seen no measure of
practical policy which tends to produce the
desired result. We are in constant danger
of collision and bloodshed. Perhaps in
no other country on the globe than our
own could such events long exist without
producing bloody consequences. We are,
he repeated, liable at any time to hear of
q collision of arms. For the sake of the
political interests of the country, the sup
port of its credit and general prosperity,
let US establish some leading principle.


Mr.. Breckinridgc put the question.
Should the authority of the Federal Gov
ernment be maintained over the Withdrawn
State by force of arms? This exhausts
the entire subject. If the answer is yes,
it is propee for it to be known, But there
is no adequate preparation here. In those
seven States the only cause of irritation
was the Federal possession of the scattered
forts. If they are to be maintained by
arms, let US get ready for the conflict. If
not, then the policy is clear. If the Union
is not to be maintained by arms, then the
only policy is to withdraw the troops from
the limits of the Confederate States
There are not, lie repeated sufficient troops
there to coorce the people. If you would
avail yourself of the last chance of reuni-
ting the States, withdraw the troops
Their presence there could do no good, but
incalculable harm, Nay, more, it could
not be disguised, that while seven States
have withdrawn, the eight other States re
naming in the Union arc discouraged, ,
gloomy, and threatening. Their course
will, in all probability. be determined by
the policy of this Administration,


In his opinion, if halting policy be
pursued, the forts abandoned, and the
squadrons withdrawn, under the pressure
OF circumstances and necessity merely. at