April 9, 1861; The Charleston Mercury
WASHINGTON, April 5, 1861.
The warlike movements of the LINCOLN Government exclude all other topics of remark. For weeks past their proceedings, which before were suspicious, have been threatening. Long before Mr. LINCOLN came to Washington it was clear enough he bore a deadly hatred to the South. His inaugural ought to have dispelled all doubts in the minds of sensible people that he meant to employ force to bring back the Confederate States. It was a fair and open warning. How it should ever have been misunderstood I cannot conceive. That it should be misrepresented by men like DOUGLAS, SEWARD, and the Border State Unionists is conceivable enough, considering their general reluctance to tell the truth on any subject, and especially upon one which it was important for the South to be truly advised about. Accordingly, these politicians have cried peace when there was no peace. It is a satisfaction to consider now, when the veil is lifted from the purposes of the Administration, that the able and sagacious head of the Montgomery Government has not been deceived by them, and that no military preparation has been omitted which was calculated to place the South in a proper condition for defence.
Since the 4th of March the United States Government has pursued precisely the policy which might have been expected from Black Republicans, supposing their policy to be war. To maintain a conflict in Texas with two or three thousand scattered troops, without a base of operations, surrounded by a hostile community, well acquainted with firearms, was evidently contrary to a sound policy. Accordingly the troops were withdrawn as fast as possible, and concentrated at points convenient to the Southern coast.
It was desirable also to avoid precipitating a conflict before they were ready for it. Therefore, rumors were first started, and then explicit statements made by General SCOTT and by members of the Cabinet, that Sumter would be evacuated. No hostile step was taken at Fort Pickens, and it was more than hinted that there, too, the garrison would be withdrawn.
The Ministers of the Confederate States were received with studied civility, informal negotiations opened, peaceful assurances proferred, everything done to make them believe that a peace policy was resolved on. It was even stipulated that there should be no reinforcement of Fort Pickens without a previous notice to the Commissioners.
In order to regulate the Virginia Convention, communications were kept up with the dominant party of Union men in that body. The leaders were skillfully played with, and Messrs. SUMMERS and STUART made to believe they were shaping at Richmond the policy of the Administration. In fine, nothing was omitted to be done which would throw the South off its guard.
But in the midst of all this, the Government went steadily on to concentrate its troops, collects its resources, fit out its ships, drill its troops, summon its boards of army and navy officers in council–in short, to make every preparation for war. At first all this was done so quietly, that it hardly provoked attention. But it is now nearly three weeks since some Southern men here, watching the course of events, took the alarm, and gave it to the Southern authorities. The military and naval movements of the last four days have pretty much dispelled all doubt as to the course of the Administration.
It is possible the blow may be struck at Fort Pickens. And yet it would be altogether unsafe to assume that there is no plan to relieve Major ANDERSON. It has been given out in Republican quarters, that the thing will be done. It is possible that a combined movement may be made by landing troops and companies of flying artillery to engage the Confederate State batteries in the rear, while United States vessels press up the channel to Sumter. If reinforcement be deemed possible, it will be attempted.
That Fort Pickens will be reinforced in spite of the pledges given to the contrary, is most positively stated by men who have the means of getting facts in a reliable manner.
Of course, the excitement and anxiety in Washington has visibly increased. There are very few outspoken Southern men here, but the community are impressed with the belief that a conflict at any point will precipitate the secession of Virginia, and lead to a movement upon this city by the soldiery of that State. The tide of secession is running strongly in Virginia, and the first gun fired is all that is needed to give shape to the feeling which already exists.
It is very probable that the fear of an early recognition of the Independence of the Confederate States by European powers, and the prospect of heavy importations at Southern ports–diverting the trade from the North–has hastened the proceedings of the Administration.
SOUTH.