The Charleston Forts.
There seems to be a general concurrence of opinion that
Major Anderson, in spiking the guns and burning the gun-carriages of
Fort Moultrie, and removing his command to
Fort Sumter, manifestly violated the express understanding between the United States Government and the authorities of
South Carolina that things were to remain in
statu quo until negotiations between the two Governments for the possession of the forts had come to an end. In conformity with the agreement, we have seen
South Carolina refraining from occupying
Fort Sumter, the strongest fort in the harbor,
commanding Major Anderson's position in
Fort Moultrie, and entirely undefended.
There has been no moment, from the commencement of these difficulties, at which a corporal's guard from
South Carolina might not have marched in and taken possession of
Fort Sumter, and in twenty-four hours compelled
Major Anderson to abandon
Fort Moultrie, And yet, with all the manifest advantages of this step staring her in the face, she has stood, like the gallant and high-toned State she is, by her plighted faith, whilst
Major Anderson, with this noble example before him, and owing his existence and that of every man in his command to the honor and forbearance of
South Carolina, seizes
Fort Sumter in the darkness, destroys the property of the
United States committed to his care, violates the agreement of his Government, and, on his own responsibility, begins a civil war. All this is done while the
Commissioners appointed by
South Carolina are yet in
Washington, prepared to negotiate for the solution of that knot which
Major Anderson, in rue military fashion, has cut with the sword.
But mere soldiers are not always overstocked with brains, and it has not perhaps occurred to the great strategist, now in command of
Fort Sumter, that in seizing a strong position for himself, he has lost a stronger one for the
United States, by depriving it of its moral weight in the public opinion of the
South, and throwing upon it the responsibility of beginning civil war, and beginning it by a breach of faith towards a people to whose own fidelity it was indebted for the power which has enabled it to violate its own engagement.
