Year: 1861

The national flag has 6oated in glory over every
Sc ri under It's shadow American citizens have ocnd
protection and rospec. in al lands beneath tho sun II
we descend to considerations OF purely material interest
when, in the history OF ali time, has corfef acy been
bound together BY sucn strong ties Of mute ateresY


Each portion of it IS dependent upon all and al poo each
portion for prosperity and domestic security Free trade
throughout the whole supplies the wants Of portion
from the productions OF another, and sotters wealth
everywhere The great planting and farming States
quire the aid Of the commercial and navigating States to
send their productions domestic and foreign markets
and furnish the naval power to render their ransport
tion secure against al hostile attacks.


Should the Union perish in the midst Of the present
element We have already had a sad forease OF the
universal suffering which would result from ils destruc
tion. The calamity would be severe in every portion
the Onion, and would be quite great, say the least
in The Southern as in the Northern States


The greatest aggravation Of the evil AMI that which
would place in the most unsavorabe light, both before
the world and posterty, s. as am firmly convinced
that the secession has been chiefly based upon
mlsaprrehension at the South of the sentiments of the
majority in OF the Northern States Let tic question
be answered from the political assemblies to the ballot
boy and the people themselves wsuId speedily redress
the serious grievances which the South have saerod
But. in Heavens name let the trial be made before
plunge into an armed conflict upon the assGmp
ton that there is no other alternative. Time IS
great conservative power Let pause at the
mentous point, and afford tho people, both Of the
North and South, an opportunity for reflection.
Would that South Carolina had been convinced
Of this truth before her preciptate action therefore
appeal through you TO the people Of the country de
clare in their might that the Union must and shall be
preserved by all constitutional meaas. most earnestly
recommend that you devote yourselves TO the question,
how this can be accomplished in peace. All other ques
tons when compared with this sink into nsignifcance.
Tho present time for paiatives. Prompt action
required. delay in Congress to prescribe or recon-
mend distinct and practical proposition for Cancellation
may drive US to point from which IL will be alnos,
impossible TO recede common ground on which
conciliaton and harmony may be produced is surely
not unattanabe. The proposition to compromise
by letting the North have exclusive control Of the
territory above certain line, and 10 give Southern
institutions protection below that ne ought to receive
universal appreciation In itself, indeed ii may not be
entirely satisfactory but when the alternative is between
reasonable concession both sides and destruction Of
the Union, IL is imputation the patriotism Of Con-
gresR assert that its members will hesitate moment
Even the danger is upon In several States which
have not yet seeded the FORTS arsenas and magazines
the United States have been seized This is by far the
most serious step which has been taken since the com
mencement of the troubles. This public property has
long been left without gaSsons and troops for its protec
ton, because person donbed its security under the
flag Of the country any state Of the Union. Besides
small army has scarcely been sufficient Is guard
remote frontiers against Indian ncursions. The
Of this property, from all appearances, has been
purely aggressive, and not IN resistance TO any
attempt TO coerce State or States to remain in the
Union. At the beginning of these unhappy troubles
determined that act Of mine should increase the
ctelcrs IN either section Of the country. If the political
conflict to end in civil it my determined
purpose not TO commence IT, to furnish for
it by any act OF the government. Ny opinion remains
unchanged that justice well sound policy requires
still to seek peaceful solution of the questions at
Issue between the North and the South. Entertaining
this conviction refraned even from sending reinforce
mens 70 Major anderson who commanded the forts OF
Charleston harbor, until absolute necessity for dong
should mako itself apparent lest might be regarded
aE menace OF military cocrcion, and thus furnish
rgovocaton Or at least, prctext for outbreak ID
fArtsof Ssth Carolina. No necessity for taese rein
forccments seemed TO exist was assured by distn-
guished upright gentlemen Of South Carolina that at
tack Major Anderson intended, but that, the
contrary, was tho desire Of tho state authorities as
much as II was my own to avoid tho fatal consequences
which must eventually follow military col sion And
here deem ii proper 10 submit for your information
copies of communication dated December 2s, 1850, ad
dressed to by n. w. Barnwell J. H. Adams and James
L. Orr Comm of South Carolina with the accom-
panying documents and copies Of my answer thereto,
dated December 81 In further explanation OF Major An
derson's removal frc Fort Mouric to Fort SUMTER
is proper to state that after my to the South
Carolina Commissioners the War Department received
letter from that gallant officer dated December 81 1900
the day after his movement from which the following
extract,-


viii add as my opinion that many things convinced
that the authorities Of the State designed TO proceed
December H. Of the late Secretary OF war) Under this
impression could not hesitate that IL my solemn
duty 10 move my command from fort, which we could
not probably have held longer than forty eight sixty
hours 10 this one where my power OF resistance is in
creased TO very great degree


II will be recolected that the concluding part Of the
order was in the following words


Tho smallncss OF your force viii not permit you per-
hays occupy than Of the three forts, but
attack attempt to take possession Of either OF
them viii be regarded as an act Of hostility, and you
may then put your command into either Of them which
you may deem most proper TO Increase It's power Of re-
sniance. You arc also authorized TO take similar dc
f,nsive steps whenever you have tangible evidence Of
design u proceed 10 an hostile act.


1t s said thai serious spprehensions are to some ex
tent enter tned in which do not share that the peace
Of this District may be disturbed before tho ah Of March





and this duty shall be performed.


In conclusion may be permitted 10 me torcmark tina,
have often warned my countrymen Of the dangers
which surround us. This may be the last time
shall refer to the subject officially feel that my duty
has been faithfully, though may bo imperfecty, per
formed and whatever the result may be shall carry 70
my grave the consciousness that at least meant well
for my country JAMES BUCHANAN


WASHINGTON CRY, Jan. 8, 1901


Er. SEWARD got the foor to express his views on the
Presidents Message.


Mr.. HrSrrn, opp) fva, asked that the resolutions
offered BY him be made the special order for Friday.
Agreed 10.


Mr Yum, (opa) OF ra, presented bill 10 ADJUST the
present dicuesbctwctn tho states which was ordered
to be printed.


Mr.. sIDsI corp % Ja., presented resolution Of In
quiry; That the President inform he Senate whether
John D. Floyd a, present oils the Office Of Secretary
Of War, II not who oils the oico; and II the appoint
ncnt of actlpg or has boan made