Year: 1861

Never was there an administration
which entered upon its duties under
more adverse circumstances than the
present one. When Mr.. Lincoln took
the oath of office it seemed as if our


government existed in name only Mr..
Buchanan had done what he could do
to deprive it of strength and vitality.
While he told the South that there
could legally be no such thing as seces-
sion, he stated that there was no power
given him by which the seeding of a
State could be prevented. Guided by
such fatal principle, he allowed the
rebelling states to do what they pleased.
Gradually, but surely, they defied the
government, and while state after state
declared that it had seeded, and while


each seized upon certain portions of


the property of the government, not a


word of remOnstrance was heard from
the President. He was following to


the end the great principle of his ad


ninistration, which was to let The South


have its own way. So completely was


the government demoralized under him


that it was daily questioned whether


its vitality had not completely been


destroyed. When, then, the present


administration cane into office, it found


the work for it to do almost herculean.


1t was to bring order out of chaos-to


restore vitality where death seemed


threatening. Its supporters demanded


from it the most prompt and vigorous


measures, while its opponents asserted


that to adopt such measures would be


to insure the complete disintegration of


the government. .am.


But while its opponents constituted


a large and formidable party, and while


some of its friends agreed with them


as to the effect which vigorous policy


would produce, the administration was


true to the principles upon which it had


been placed in Office. The position in


which it found the government did not


admit of its adopting those prompt and


active measures which some are so


earnestly demanding. 1t tgradually but


surely proceeded to collect the scat


tered forces of the government. 1t


constantly assured the rebels that it


was anxious for peace, but that peace


could only be obtained by their return


ing to their allegiance. Its course was


that, when the moment arrived in


which decisive action could be taken,


people of all parties rallied around it.
The blow struck by the rebels at Sum-


ter afforded the opportunity for giving
to the government the vitality it so
much needed. y 5rE smif


No one who calmly scrutinizes the
policy of the administration up to the


fall of Sumter can deny that there was


wisdom in it. To do so would be to
ignore the result of that fall. Since
; that event the action of the administra-
ton has been vigorous. 1t has not
been hasty nor rash, as some OF both
its friends and opponents would have
liked it to have been. Many found
q fault because they thought that our
troops were not collected rapidly
. enough, nor in sufficient numbers, at
/. ter the issuing of the Presidents first
proclamation. And yet large force
t was concentrated at Washington with
P a rapidity which now seems wonder


full. But our people are naturally i'm
$ patient; and, when they deemed the


capital of the country in danger, could


brook nothing which seemed to then
a like delay. Many cannot understand
: why men just called out are not quail
: fed to enter the field. They seem t.
, forget that undisciplined men are O
: little value, and that large bodies o
n troops cannot be moved without involv
!, ing extensive preparation for provis
.e ioning and transporting them. 1t j
'f very easy to hurry your men into tn


enemy's country, but if You do withou
a. their being disciplined, and without th
: necessary commissary and other al
rangements, you are likely to lose ratf


err than gain. The experience G
, England in the Crimea was something
h not to be disregarded' and yet ther
p, are those among us who seem to thin
as as that large bodies of men are to be
ii III readily moved ard provided for a
g. small ones. 1t is very easy to accus
III the administration of not comprehene


ing the nature of the rebellion, bt
! thinking men perceive that the caut,o
its which guides its counsels proves thi


it believes the rebellion to be one


formidable proportions-one that is NJ
~ to be suppressed by a dashing engage