January 6, 1861, The New York Herald
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 1861.
There are no facts here. An event today is nothing tomorrow, and the scene shifts every hour. The storm is tremendous; but I think it will end without desolating the country. There are many unreasonable men at both extremes – men of precipitation and madness. But in the midst of all their talk I can see that they are not yet ready for savage action. The South Carolina Commissioners were calm, determined, resolute and did not yield any point. It is as well now, that they should not. In all my talk with them I was surprised at the strength of their position. The South generally is equally determined, not so hasty, but just as resolute, and firmly determined to accept no terms but those which will secures all their rights in some form or other.
You have seen the speeches of Nicholson and Benjamin. These tell the story. Rice’s resolutions, with Crittenden’s and Adams’s light advance, indicate one phase of the future.
Cushing is here, and his strong mind carries the principle high above the smoke of conflict for the guidance of the combatants.
There is much talk by Northern men who come here of a united feeling for protecting the federal flag and preserving the federal property. This will be done. The President will protect all the property in his power, and will undoubtedly arm the District against mobs. Yet after he shall have accomplished all in his power, the naked truth will be made more manifest, that, in consequence of the inactivity and imbecility of Congress the great array of strength will be on the side of the South. Georgia has occupied Fort Pulaski. This is the strongest position on our coast, and a small State force can prevent its being retaken, even if the united strength of our whole navy were brought against it. Pensacola is equally impregnable. If the people of new Orleans occupy the defenses at the mouth of the Mississippi, the navy of Great Britain could not dislodge them. Fort Henry in the hands of Virginia and Fort McHenry in possession of the militia of Maryland, would abundantly protect the seaboard of those two States. Mr. Buchanan has not now nor has he ever had, disposable troops to hold these places properly. How idle, foolish and absurd then it is to prattle about coercion.
It is the fashion here, as everywhere, to throw the onus of our present position on the administration. The staple of talk of members of both houses of Congress is abuse of the President for not having done what he could not do, and what but for the sheer stupidly and negligence of our national representatives would have been long since accomplished. The movement to take possession of the District of Columbia and prevent the inauguration of Mr. Lincoln is based upon the supposed necessity on the part of Virginia to take the lead in the Southern movement to recent her own interest from going to the devil. Every man in Washington believes the attempt will be made; still, not one member of Congress here had the boldness and patriotism to propose an act empowering the calling out of militia from adjoining States to secures peace in the capital. The administration fights single handed against surrounding difficulties. With nerve and statesmanship to aid him, Mr. Buchanan could become master of the situation in a fortnight; but he is shackled, impeded and prostrated by those who ought to be his most efficient support.