University of South Carolina Libraries
v-' ** ? ?\*$V M . ? */ ^.Wl' * ?...'^.v.. % ? -*f i . ? A , I BL'?.L UJ 'U.M'JUl'g-Wl'-LU'lL!! MB I'-S^HL!!!'.'. Jl_ LLJ L-J'JJliLl1 'JAU-'JILI- L !?'* '.JUL lli'-l.?i ?[...' 1' 1 '!'".' ' . _ ? ' ' ' ^'. "? "y x ?- " 1 1 '** fi1 [? (ffi \y\7 [P JP " *' Jfl i fr^ frTl 1(1 S l3 ^ ' i A IS yj IS IS - ; t fi HI) HJ in J iS iii! 1 = m? : g^ppf ? -'i. I " TO THINK OWN SELF BK TRUE, AND IT MUST FOLLOW, AS THE * * ' NIGHT THE DAY. THOU CANST NOT THEN EE FALSE TO ANY MAN.' BY KOBT. A. THOMPSON & CO. PICKENS COURT HOUSE, S. C. SATURDAY, APKII, 6, 18<>I. VOL. XI!. NO. :*5 n=* n r?J QP ny r^\ i?/Ar-jeaw?n/? I .t.i *.- .? J - - - - 1 * .. . * ' Land of the South. i HY A. P. I,F.()KA1U>. A i it?J'ru tul of my Soul. l.and oT (lie South! the fairest luiul Heneath Columbia's sky ! Proudly hoi* hills of freedom oluiiu. Her plains in beauty lie. Her dotted fields, her traversed streams Theft* nnun.il wealth renew. Land of the South ! in brightest dreams No dearer spot we view. Men of the South ! A free-horn race, They vouch n patriot line; Ready the foenmn's van to face. And guard their country's shrine. lly sire and son a haloing light Thronnh lime is horno nlnncr ? vJ'liey "nothing nsk but what in right, And yield to nothing wrong." rah- of the South ! rave beauty's crown Ye wear with matchless grace ; No classic f:iir of old renown Deserve a higher place. Your vestal robes alike becojno Tlie pelnco ami tho cot: "Wives, niothei-s, (laughters! every homo Ye make a cherished spot. Flag of the South ! Aye, fling its folds Upon the kindred breeze; Kinblem of dread to tyrant holds? Of freedom on the seas ! Forever may its stars and stripes Jin cloudless glory wave ; lied, white and blue?eternal types Of nations free and brave! States of the South ! the nntrint'a linncl ' Merc equal laws have swny : Nor tyrant lord, nor despot host, Upon the weak may prey. Then let Iliout rulo from foil to pen, And crown the queenly isle:? Union of love nnd liberty, 'Neath heaven's approving smile.! Clod of ilio South ! Protect this land From false and open foes! Guided by Thine all-ruling hand In vain will hate oppose. So mote the ship of sta'.e move 011 Upon this unfathomed sen; Gallantly o'er its surges bornO Tile bulwark of the free! (POUT JO\Lu I/Zossfigo of the Governor to the Convention. Tl\o President laid before the Convention the following messitgo from the Governor of ?South Carolina, togelher with sundry accompanying documents : Executive Department, ) Charleston, liHtli March, 1801. ) To I ft >' Prcxiknl ami Member* of the Convent io? : Gentlemen :?On the 12t1i day of February last, th? Confederate Government adopted t1 ! following resolution : " Hear/ccit, That this Government tabes undor its charge the .questions and difficulties now existing betwoen several States of this Confederacy and the Government ol the United States relating to the occupation of torts, arsenals, navy yards, and other public establishments; and that the President of the Congress be directed to coinmunic.itc this resolution to the Governors of tho States." And on the 1st day of March, the Secretary of War wrntn mo in the following language : " Under this Act the 1'rc.sideut div.w.fu I- - 1 L- 1 ..... i.iiuiiii mill/ no nE?UlUC S-'COUtryl of t>ll the military operations of voiir State, having reference to, or connected with ctuoNtions between your State and powers I ncijcn to it." " He also directs me to request you lo com umniente to tlio department without delay, the - quantity and character of arms and munitions of war which have been acquired from the United 'tutes, and which are now in the Forta, Araennls and Nuvy Yards of your State, find all other arms and munitions which your State may desire to turn over and make chargoabjo to this Government." The Provisional Government for the Confederate States was created by your authority, through Delegates appointed to meet other Delegates from all the seceding States, and meroioro 1 consider the acts of the Provisional (>overi!:iviMit. as binding upon South Carolina. l?y vi itno of this authority, the IVesi<lunt. of the Confederate Government, on the (Jiird of this month, placed Gocer;;l Bouurcgard in full full command of all forces in actual service, in i?nd around Charleston, lie is n scientific and thorough bred ofificer, and no r.pnointinept could have been more acceptable. I did not think T was fullv authorized to transfer the enlisted forces <>f South Carolina over to the Confederate Government, because their enlistment was in the nature of a contract with the State, the conditions of which could not be varied, except by the authority of tho Convention f T hare transmitted to tho Secretary of War of tho Confodeiato Stato#, a full and accurate list yf the officers that hftvo been appointed in the regular enlisted service of this State, and took occasion to Hay that I would refer the matter t<i t.ho PnnunnJlno J _ - v v uiiviv" %\J IHI IIU Jill" fix the conditions upon which thia force should 1)0 transferred over to the fJonfcdurata Gov ?rnn?ont. It was a force raised under peculiar oifeu?T)Htanoe/if of great excitemcnt and peril, and the officers have been selected with strict regard, in most instances, to military igervieea horotoforo rendered in tho lute Mexican war, or in reference to their rnnk and position in tho latq linked States Army. I respectfully urgo, therefore, that the Convention may preservo their rank and cominia*' uions, as far as p<Wiuio, in ?i)y ftrrnriffotnem I or transfer they mav make of them dm 1 Confederate Goverotliont. This force wasenlisted for one yflar, and in nny events that may nriso, it will require nt least six hundred , iocii to garrison thfe forta in Charleston harbor, ? |td it will also rcfj\iiro a company pernmnently stationed at the mouth of Stono, and ono iL. ;>t?r Georgetown, and at least one, if not more, nt and near Beaufort r in nil eight huh ? drcd rapn. If ^hero should ba any continued agitation or apprehension of protraoted I wiir, thou of oonrso it- would require many II wore, if tho Confederate Govoi nmont would ^ t ivc this cjdijted forct with their ofliccm, men they might constitute, Tor their term of; iui service, the permanent garrison forto on the ; hi jcaooast of Scuth Carolina. \Ye happened to on bo the pioneer {State in the great movements Iv 111nt have taken place in tlie last three months, fc and this forec was suddenly raised under eiV- le euinstancss requiring the sternest character; vc They have served faithfully, and their Gen- of cral has been a brave and meritorious officer in sc the Palmetto regiment through the. Mexican n< War, and of great experience as Adjutant m and Inspector-General, appointed by the Legislature for many years. The other field ofii- tli cei'8 and captains, with but a single exception, ai have also either served through the samo war w or been graduates of West l'oint, and officers re in tlic United States Army. It may then be ]> said, as far as officers are concerned, to be as fa efficient a forec for the number as can be oh- gi ta i tied. g< 1 therefore most respectfully urge that the i? Convention will effectually guard and preserve to their rights in any arrangement or disposition ri they may udopt in reference to their transfer .si to (lie Confederate Government,. The high- tr toned nnd noble regiment, commanded by Col. et Gregg, was organized under resolutions adopt- ]h ed by your body. They were culled forth i.t si a time when wo cxpccted an immediate eon- o\ flict of arms, and under powers granted mo by 11 the Convention, I entrusted to a great extent, in their formation to their patriotic nnd gifted ei commander. The term of service for which t! they volunteered was only six months, and I n; believe they do not propose a longer time now, la unless there should be some prospect of a more si goner.: I state of hostilities. Hut I coinmuni- tl entc with tlii3 a report from the Secretary of tl War, and refer to the details there presented for a more full account of the forces that have tl been employed. 1 must cordially adopt that ti report and recommend its clear and truthful ft representations to the earnest attention ot the 01 Convention. u T SI Nil Mil nlwn Willi lliic i.nl.I.'U nf oil to* - -"? "I ? ? vx.p.vo v.. ?.?. IV.I- . tors t)i;it have passed, in relation to tlic niili- tl tary forces of tliis State, from myself to tlie si president of the Confederate .States, nnd the a: Secretaries of War and Navy, together with r; their replies. 1 make this communication i:i v< order that the Convention may fully under- ol stand all that has been ;ono, and the partic- st ular interests involved. I doubt the right to n make the transfer of these forces and lix the tl conditions that may bo necessary except p through the Convention. u I also communicate with this reports from m the different heads of Hurfcaus or Departments, ai and refer, with great satisfaction, to them as tl not only showing the ability and faithfulness p with which each one of them has administer- d ed the affairs under his particular charge, but tl also to show, that if the Hxccutixe has been w at all successful in administering the duties of office, it was principally owing to the very *v ahle Council wit!) which lie was surrounded'. !' It was by a resolution of the Convention tlir.t | this Council was a-pointed. One of its ? most useful and prtriotio members lies been j\ transferred to the administration of the Con- ei federate Govonmicnt ; and i have apointed 'i tlio 11 on. 10 (I ward Frost a mouther of tho K< Council in his place. It was required by tlio 1 resolution appointing 111is Council, timt 1 j(| should refer ai.V nomination lo your body for ^ confirmation. I, therefore, now rcspcetfully ni refer to you tldn nomination for vour eon t! firmation. ft' It will be scon by the report from the Troasury Department, th?l our expenditures hnvo ^ been ?(>40,3117 (?ix hundred and forty thousand throe hundred and seventeen dollars) ; of this amount 8195,500 was expended by ni tho Orditanco Board. This includes what has l? been expended for ordnance and munitions of di all kinds. As to all expenses incurred since the 20th of December last, the day on whioh South Carolina seceded from tho old Confederacy, 1 take it for granted the (lovcrnment w of the Confederate States will bccomo respon- t? siblo to us for the amount, as it was incurred ti: in defence of a common cause, and particuInrlyas the (Confederate (.iovernnmnt expressly I1 assumed jurisdiction of all questions between r ns and any other governments relating to defences and military operations. It will bo perceived that, through a com- oi munication from the Secretary of War at p \\ I Ml t I ?x?\ A?. 1-? ?! -1 ' " - 1 w,? j , jl |mii iitjuiiii iy iui|iirnuu mi urn over all nrins and munitions received 11 from tho Arsenal of the United Rtotcs in litis city, nnd also nil other arms 1 might think proper. I suppose the ordnance and u arms the State owned itself, which wore pur- S chased in 1850 nnd Ibol, might with groat w propriety be retained by the State now ; and 11 also some small arms in tho lute United S.'h'.os u Arsenal, essential to arm our Volunteer force . if or.!led Siitc scrvicc t#* bA r',^*Hnr,d * * but all the ofdmtnco nnd munitions of war t! procured and purchased recently, might be p very appropriately turned over to the Confod- " crate govornmhnf, and I most respectfully l' cell the attention of tho Convention to this subject, as oonnceted with nny arrangement 'if they might make in reference to the transfer a, *0f our regular forces to tlio Confederate t! States. il I herewith transmit the Ordinances nnd ni Resolutions of the different States that, havo 81 acceded, nnd would call attention to tho ob- " vious proprioty of providing for them, together with- our own Ore France on the sanio 0, subject, somo suitable place of safe deposit, at They are the simplo, but r.uthcntio, records I of events well odonlatod to produce n profound impression upon the future destiny of our country. Heretofore, in tho history of. the world. . , r + - - " ? or tlic great atiugglo hfiB boon to Rccuro the ft, persona) rights of individuals. In former times, tho power of government absorbed all *n individual or personal right* of ?ifcfacna.*? P' JJilt our Engtfsh ancestor#,.' by their sturdy virtues, ongriiftcd, at different periods, such ()] grftilt* and restrictions upon'tho British Con' at it ut ion, M effectually socurcd pert?onn) ftr rights, ni.a, flu far an that branch of liberty p< i? sn-oJrcd. they mode it as perfoot as in any cu other country. {U To fiocurc tho politic*! righto of separate <. L V d independent communities, required :i 1 glier nud broader range of political ex peri- ! ce. The guarantees for personal rights in I upland \v:ts a meat advance over tliu old : udal system of Kurope; and it was then "i: ft to tiie separate States <>f America to tie- ; J slop a higher experience over a larger extent [ territory in those guarantees necessary to | v" cure the local rights of separate and ii.de- | a" Midont communities united under one com- i on government. | 'V The old Constitution was intended to effect |" lis advance in the science of government, id if it had been properly administered, m ouIJ have continued to deveh 'lie mighty si.urccs and power of a wonderiul people.? I . lit, under the combination of ambition with j ls, uatacism, they attempted to organize the i v>' "eat masses of the people, so as to act to- j "ther in a consolidated majority, and admin- | ' 11 tor the common government withon' regard , the sacred gu ::r.mtees by which the local irl.t.s and interests of separate communities < kuKI Le pre:erud under tin; absolute, conol of their separate governments. This, of j . 'ur. e. reversed the whole philosophy of ouv 1 euli i" svstcm. and if nermitted to becomo I ' iccessful, would have given us no aelvanee ,er the liuropcan pystem of governinent.? u1 i fuct, it would hsive placed v > i- 'dud them i progress, fur many of tin ir most enlight- , M ii?d nml powerful pivcrmon s have Asserted i !li ie doctrine and acted upon it, that govern- j?' ents and dyuastios can be ehangeel by popu- j r sovereignty, expressed through universal ' 1 jfl'rrjie, in independent communities; and ii! \cy avow this as a substitute for the old 1(1 icory of divine and hereditary right. Under our old artieler. of ennfederatie.n, ie government had failed, and tlie t'onstitu- "j on of the I nitid b'tatcs grew out of the ireo of eircuiuftanees, and was adopted in 1 J'! rder to secure, at that period, a n ote perfect j 11 nion to enable us Io resi.-t foreign aggression. 1' i'e have outgrown thrtt state of tilings, und | 1,1 ie danger lately was not from foreign aggrcson, but from internal corruption and from j M l aFsumtioti in parts and majorities, of ah- | l,( ilute uovcrnuiont. over otliei parts, without " .r. ii. - i!. ! ? I ?? au-iiic ui 11:1; iiiuiciiions miii mwrvuuoiis f the common compact. Thus, tlmt Con- ( ituti a) ran its career f.in 1 full:!l?. d it.- de-ti y, under the perverted nod \itiated idea fj' tat wo wore a consolidated people. Under .l rejudiecs fostered hy dcj?ijri?i>?jr men, mid 1 ndor (he wor.-t passions inflamed by l?:?d | |?( len, an absolute majority was created, wlio j ruined that their will must necessarily lie j " io government, im-te.id of the fixed princi- I !' les of the Constitution, which were int< n- ! !( id to guard the local right.?nnd interests of j x le feparate and independent communities j ' i.ieh composed the Confederacy of States.!''1 Our State, true t<? the cat principles upon l'! 1.ich tlic Confcdcrtvy was formed, ami tnio to (-c x se pio:it and pr?>gre?sive ideas which were so lentiiied with American independence, waived to resume her original powers of govern lent ; ana n siio succeeds 111 ouirralVin;* the 1 ' '< indaniciital right i>f a separate ami indepond- j tli nt State to withdraw from any Confederacy ! in int imij' ho formed, whenever lsor people, in | 0j vereign Con volition assembled, shall so deride. j| ten ?-11c will have made another advam c in llie. jlenee of government, and added another guarritee to the great principle of civil liberty.? ' nd if this principle ?nl?l he secured without n i? appeal to arms and Lined, it would sliow I' at the country ha" pro^res-ed in eivilizati'in 5! id intelligence, eo lar as to he able to settle ... II controversies and issues involving political ghtsby an appeal tc reason, to interest, to free i.-( u-'sion, to conventions, to treaties and eove- 111 nots, rather than by nn appeal to brutal force. g' True, wo have encountered misrepresentation pi ad abuse, and for a people, so small in mini- tl i?ra as wo m o, to make such an i,^.uie as we id, was full of danger and dilfieulty. <(] But no people are (it to be free, unless they ie able to treat denunciation with indifference, , nd to meet danger with fortitude. From peculiar circumstances, South Carolina ^ as culled on to take the first step in this march ( to > independence. She had to encounter the t; rst shook in the b ei .'iC- w .mil tierce passions Sl] our eppf '-ca'.f, Tlmse who had mastered the ov.er of the Government, and were fondly nxing oa the rich and ripe fruit supposed to bo 1st wit Inn llinir rrrn^n tmhivnllv fult nvncnrti-n. . *'' id in disappointment, caused hy this State in- ic Tposing to arrest them in their lawless career to f innd ambition avid wild fanaticism. Fur n pj I'liml, wo were surrounded with great diflicul- (< es, and threatened with danger that appeared nmincnt. As far as the Executive Is concerned. I always ( ' Misidofed that the peculiar mission of this "J '.ate was, hy a firm and temperate course, to ci iv the foundation of a new Confederacy of cr tntes, homogeneous in feeling and in interest, (|( ith such institutions and domestic civilization ,y s would unite them in one common destiny. >j-. itli a government devoted to their peace and ifety. and with no interest to produce the * '' ightest aggression upon other people, hut eeply ioleicst*'il to develop those productions til tat are so largely demanded in the peaceful a ursults of mankind, and entering so largely IH itu the comforts and progressive civilization of j0 10 world. When this State first withdrew from the Fed* j11 ral Union, I felt that wc hore. on.one sido, crital relations to the Confederacy we had left, sli nd also very delicate and peculiar relations to fo 10*0 slave Whites who constituted tho horddrof ia fimi I hf?m KtnlAfl nn*l \vn Ufiil wtill liitrlwM' find Ipro Faorcd dutio* and relation* to.vurdh our .*ter States of tho S??n|l>. who were expected cr rd?ly to como to our tudo in the formation of a ow Confedornev. AH (hd*o relations mnde our courso quite implicated. and full of deep obligations, in ,s ifainistoring tlio dotie.4 of tlio Executive office, to fnn truly say, tlmt I never, for one moment, at sight of the relations our $tato bovo to all, gj id it has eve.r been my endeavor, wftjlo mis- \ lining her nepmale rights mid independonoo, ever to do anything that might show in differ- 0 ice to any of the great complicated intere-ts id relationa with which (die wax surrounded. When your illufltrioutfi body adjourned, yon n? ivr the State standing nlone, surrounded with 1)1 ?v51, and clouds resting upon the future. Unit tlio kind diftpontatioiiii of a .superintending rpvidou.ee, I am Qow able to prevent hor to you ider a brighter day, snrroiiuded by piste,r ,:i. htcB rich in their resource*, with their bravo w' id pntriotid sons Standing n* a guard in the bn irtals of n now Toniplo, ftvirod by pur common ninniin, and dedicated to the srparafr wertfyn- ur of free and itulepttulfint Mate*. , F. W. FlckfcVf. From the ("linrl^sloii Mi'irnrv. ^tracts from Private Foreign Corrcfpon deuce. iVi \ncii 1 sti.tt, March ?!, 1SUI.?When itl is become realty settled '.villi you, so ;it . ' ij.iiieiit.s of 1 >i it i> 11 manuf'ctures could s.M:t t i your port witlu.il' li. i< of seizure, ito inv, as many house; here will eca;;e tlieii Oio y :il (lie North, mid ? --1:il?l!i tlieni nt otolith?oil whit time can j;?>ods bo sold vcur city, and is t hero capital ihcrc suiti nt for tiic trade ? which will certainly Pirely increase under the int'.ucnce of youi i*di ;ite tali if. 1.1i.hiiioLi, ? '; re.i 0, m' 1.?Tl.o feeiiujj l - fit fn'vo'r of your .Suit hern Confederacy ^nlhoriiijr strength. The scale of dutitf lich is laid down in the Northern Tariff, hat mplctcly alienated tho smypr.thictf of th? tire mere, utile conimunity tlii.s side of tin tlaiitic, and all are now wishing success tc sc-.eedinjr States, whoso policy uannoun d us likely to lie " free trade with all the Livid." Li\iiuoor., March 0. 18(51.?Your nolit li iviiuii'lvs iirt; interesting. 1 conceive (lu < rt!u ; ;i TinifT almost prohibitory ; i' is::: tempt to in:.l<c the whole country eontrib .e to tl:e manufacturing region, and I can >t si how the other Southern Sink's can con tit to live under such n dishonest lax. Thej list soon cniitc to realize they have no s-yni ithies with the North. Your cause gain.' vor daily, as i hope it docs in the Horde: atcs. Manchester is going for you heari id soul. Self interest will insure your re igiiilion. Mancuks'it.n, Mi n h <?. 1801.?Your won srfal movement in secession, the formutior a new Government, and the elect ion of r resident, is the uni\"isal t?c o!' this place tie else was discussed on "Change." Tin gli T:uill'of the Washington Kc] ublica; i.. l. . . i i ' nit i.-. uiuyii i.-uih.u,iiiih,ii iis il .scrums .'HOW the tr?:do of 11 so country. The slavery usii- n iloos not now l'iitor into the di.scusnn, cxcipt ns one of pi iK.pnity. 11 youi \v ('overmneiit net with the same wisdon spccilnjj; the Tin ill* question ns lliey have tic with the slave-trade difficulty, they wil tahli.-h n nia<;ie influence on the inind> tl.o ninss of our people. Neithei the articles lately published hy the Lou m Ib't-uhl r.nd tSffim\irtl reilect public sen incut. We are a nianulacturinj: people, mu > (Jovcnmicnt call exist here that turns it; ee against free-trade with those who are al <1 v 'h us oil this quo; tion. The line goodi ado is muoli depressed hy tl;e now tnrilT ,?nvy orders lire eounlvrinanded ; and whih c nr.? anxious to see Mr. Lincoln's speech t we are inure anxious to see further of th< ocoediiitrs of the now Confederacy, and th< e-iii'O of your Coir.niissioiiers in thi; untry. till: i'laijii-i or im tiii' whit" ?"f lilt it is tin- general belief of all who wil 'illi;ro to look tlic matter in the face thai ic country generally is to be supplied will tports from foreign countries through port: seceded States, and which pay duties ii lose port.*, and enrich the exchequer of tlx oni'ederato States at tlio expense of tlx rea-ury of the Federal (Jovcrnmcnt. Tlx no question to bo met is not whether tlx ederal (Jovernment can collcct revenue ir .r> nni't.Q (). ' ' > .Southern ('o'lfcdi'i'Mtion bo liether it can collect revenue anywhere. ll in not he denied tTint public anxiety concern tr the condition of the country h:\sbcci eatlyincreased the past week; that thcap ehensions of a terrific war has quickened int tho I'uiot! men of the Southern horde tates lit vo become discouraged and will him ion to yield to the pressure of sympathy ith the scecded States ; that commerce h at Vo ho seriously distuibcd or destroyed lat the business interests of the North nn. i be moro th?n ever dtj.ivneud, nnd that tlx OYonmicnt ot tlie UonteUerate Mates is ro ilvcd ainl determined and fully prepared t( tack tliis city (Washington) with an over helming force upon the. fh>t indication o ic intention of Lincoln to carry out this p<?l y of force which they believe his [luiugurn foreshadow. livery Southern State is pre ireel to unite with the Government of th< unfedor.'itc States in war Against the Lin tin Government, if the latter really s'ttenip (crcion or sonii coercion. Military men saj int, for the purpose of currying out a coev ve policy and to retain this oily, the T.in In Government must have an army of 800, HO men, the cost of the support of whicl ill be three, hundred millions of dollars.? he Kcpublic.'ii lenders in the Senate, an< ie Kepnblienn pn t.i generaliy, all deny tlnv incoln's policy is peace. They de? -y tha to evacuation of Fort Sumter is intended a: measure of pence, but merely of military ?ce.?r>ity. They demand the call of Congress confer on Lincoln the power anil means t( itiate civil war, though they know they wil s run out of this city in sixty days after thej in'll Kuvn nffonmlofl (a n??vr\r mil *? /? rcc.? litis//. Cor. JoUr.of Com. Xkw York, Maroh 28.?The ^tonmshij ity of lhdtiinoro has arrived here, with Liv pool untcm to March IStli. a Kir a r, .Nv/tfs. Messina has surrendered to Sardinia. A1 quiet at Warsaw. Russian troops continue a rrivc. In conscquCnce of a personal difficulty, r. 11. Uulwer had refused to attend th< mcricuu Mini-tor's reception on Washing n's birth day. Thero is to bo another conference on th< yrian question. Despatches from Syria an tUticc a threatening attitude of tho Mussel ou towards the Christians. COMMERCIAL, N EVA. LtVBrpoot., Wednesday, March 18.?Tlx Iob of the four day:? wore 33,000 hides, o tiicli speculators arid exporter* took 10,50(1 iles. Tbo market is firm find advancing. Brenda tuffs firm. IVoviaionsquiot, Consols changed. So til) sense is ever profenblo to wit. { . * r roiii tlie Charleston Mercury- t:t Washington Correspondence. }? Wasii in?;ton, March -<>, 18(51. ' ^ Mr. Lincoln is a puzzle, ami his Aduiiuis(ration an enigma, not easily explained or un |t derstood. lie is a strange compound oi' weak- ()f ness and stroiigth?of pueriie indecision and j,] dogmatic positiveness?and the policy of his cy I (jovcrnment, so far as it is understood, par- ,,, | takes of both qualities. , r0 | The President s strength, however, is t on Va J fined to little things. Tho " inflexible pur- ^j, jjose," vhich tb.e toadies of the llc).ublicmi ,.j I pros;* persist in attributing to him, is niani- ,,, iVsUd Only in the dispenbation of the spoils, {j, lie wilt have his own way in the nomination 1<> | of pets to oflico. Prom the fattest sinceurc to r, the most paltry clerkship, he insists upon Ci being the sole appointing power. The grave w a flairs of State are to him of little moment in a i ; comparison with the distribution of rewaids | , autoiigst those who have served him faithful- vly. The alleged test of lit'.ess to whuh cleri- ;1 <ial applicants are subjected becomes, under j.;1 these circumstances, a farce, Men who can scarcely write their names, and blunder in i 1 working the simplest ruh.s yf arithmetic, have ; 1"' n installed in some of the I'cpartments, ,'n ! despite the protest of the examiners?the f(, ; i residential decree, that the ignoramus "must \ ; he provided for," overriding all scruples, and nand reducing standard rules to a nullity. In these matters, then?and such as these?31 r. f() l/ii.c.iln promises to be more than a second 0f t .Jackson. lie is absolute in dealing with the ' n> booty. | y w ncn principles arc concerned, and grave i ,r issues arc to be disposed of, Mr. l/incoln and ti, his Cabinet become the impersonation of vncil- 1 lation and timidity. The Fort Sumter itn- J broglio has presented both characteristics in a I (.t striking light. From first to last, there has d, been neitber consistency nor spirit in anything <,\ lie lias done. Me has Ovinccd neither the j| sense which submits gracefully to an obvious j> necessity, nor the pluck which encounters danger rather than shirk the peiI'ornutncc of a js cherished duty. 'J ho aim of (ho Kxecutive ]; has, throughout, been to get rid of rc.-ponsi- j,, bility in the premises. It was not enough 1 \v that (a'cncrnl iSeott rohintcored to.be the scape ],{ goat, by pronouncing the retention of the toil ! 0. a military impossibility. Republican Senators were made parties to Cabinet, counsels. Cabinet oflicers and the innumerable family tl relatives of the J'rtsident wire for the nonce si - converted into lobby agents, fathoming tho (' j mental depths of prominent Abolitionists, and tl ; talking sago senators into the aeerptiince of to N Anderson's withdrawal. The f t and loose A , game wits played, though with more impu- tl . deuce than ingenuity ; the precise plea urged p< in justification of the evacuation varying with in - ! tlie .shades of senatorial sentiment. 'I lie zeal- is: ots, eager to war, were r-minded that the to crouch of the tiger precedes its spring. The ill timid and comprouiising, alVaid that tlie nooses they have tied for scceder*' necks may be or- hi 1 mimcnts of their own, were persuaded that m 1 this first move was the initiatory step of a al grand pacific policy, certain to subdue all si c' tioiial troubles And this two-faced line of fo tactics has been kept up in the Senate and by of leading 'Republican journals. 01 The evacuation of Sumter, then, possesses c<. no moral significance whatever. An honest Si J President would have converted the transac- sv null ?i |mi v'i i'vU-CC, "*Vi/I*ivi !.?.Vv ?*.C "1 ' compauied its consummation with a frank avowal of war. lie would have said: ''1 7< 1 abandon the idea of subjugation; 1 regard ?> the independence of South Carolina and her c\ > .siatOl* ruites as an accomplished fact, and ae- tl qoicsce in its consequences sincerely, il'reluc: tantly." Or, striking another key : "T yield ' only to tfccessity; the withdrawal of Ander- ly son's command is a mere piece of expediency, tl ' to be atoned for by the vigorous prosecution of hi/Stilc measures in other directions." Either of these declarations would have commanded re.*pect. The South would have seen ^ ' that it had to deal with a manly, out spoken ( ' J. enemy; and the common sense and patriotic j opinion of the North would have rallied to | the support of a President who dared to grappie with difficulties with a vigor befitting their jn importuncO. Mr. Lincoln h:.i; thrown away M the opportunity, lie has not satisfied North . or South, llis adherents mistrust him. His s." ' opponents despise him. And the South, ' | looking at him as the chief functionary of a foreign power, has already loarmdto regard (jj him as weak and double-dealing. Ilis weak- , ness VT-rep on imbecility; his diplomacy is ' 1 (no nlmi.sv t<> }it ilisouisril I With Rich ft man :<t the head of l!ie Wasli( jngton (iovcriinicnt, there is no safety hut in ( conscious strength. Von cannot tiust hin . You cannot repose confidence in his profesh'oiis or l.i.s acts; since the professions are .? guided by no fixed principles, and the acts t(1 arc I ut tributes to (lie expediency of the hour. Ho gives up holding Sumter, because lie V', cannot kicp it. lie hesitates about l'*ort ()|' Pickens, because . tho Confederated troops y menace his minions with a bloody resistance. But be enacts the bully about tho Tortugns ) and Key West, insisting that they inust be j-.t retained ot any cost, as a standing testimony to the mnritimo superiority of the North.? The analogy adduced in support of the pro1 n-* j | . 1 i? 1 I pUMii bUutttUUiiJ vaGih pi iuCu litOUtviSi^ , character. " What Gibraltar is to England," the Republicans insist, i( that must the Tortugns and Key West be. to tho North or n l'n, ion?atonco proof and guarantee of power. ' The A'atiduaf iuhiligettcrr solemnly preaches r . from this toxt, nnd 31 lr. Doujrlas in t)io Hon- jj( s nto pYuchnins its orthodoxy. Tt docs not n socm to hnvo occurcd to these parties, tlmt divers substantial differences exif| between ^ tlio (Jonfedofote States and Spain, width ^ WStider tho comparison altogether inapplicable. ; And yet there, is one advantage in having p an opponent like Mr. Lincoln. IIo is not (\ I insensible to- discretion. Williijp to wound. t;( he is yet nfraid to strike. The Southern Cun- .jn , tedeii'.ej exhibits nttril utes which ho :md . his pnrty did not calculate upon. Ho hns discovered that the South menus what, it says, y< nnd is abundantly rfile to accomplish tho t' ^k it lins undertaken. i lie discovery is scorning general. The habit <>f sneering nt .uithern " helplessness " and " imlisoretion*' going T>ut (if fashion li* 10 and intliC North. is poivu ived tint the South c:in t tke ran* itself, tiii(3 that the s igaeity and skill emoyed in it^ service are equal lo any <:nirrg*>n. llencc. tho fact is no longer secret that embers of the Administration i iii Jo niprehend tho feasibility and even tho :dIlltagO *?i i YVO Ui'Ii ji> lldv lit * \jli! .'11 C Jo hy side working out in pcace their recclivC problems of- ii d us try. st i< ty, am! ivenismnt H?nv far this altered <!>"pc?i? >n in tie minds of certain Republican aders proceeds from tear, and how far froui S lional conviction, il is j.ot nccossary hero to quire. Let it bullieo us to know that, h11.?t Xor! hern merchants are awakening.to sense nj' the manifold e' ltiinen i.- l advances of tin* South, liixl of the, ruin with iiich Kepubliean madness threatens their oat. marts of trr.de and industry, Republin politicians, having at'eess to the long ears Mr. Lincoln, for the first time, reali/.e tho uigers of tho conflict incident to any atnipt to interfere with , :>uthern rights and dependence. To this extent the new Conderaey has already made itself felt. Tho hulition braggarts quiiil before its calm L it. solute assertion of national dignity. So. it is understood, Mr. Linejln quails hi re, the shout <>f indignation, and the threat resistance, which the conduct of his l'ostastcr fJcncral, .Mr. Rlair, has excited in irginia. Had the citizens of the old Coinonwealth submitted p-.tiently to the Aboliumingof their postal machinery, and the list nit presence in their midst <>T- ?vi7>litu>i> 'eolK clad in ( ifivi'l'liiwrit livcrv Mr I .ij . >!ii, wo may be sure, had been coiiti nt. ]>ul 10 suirjrestivo aroma of tar con;1 s wafted ;cr tho Potomac, and (lie President relent;-. o disapprovcs---his special organs aver? of lair's offensive appointments, :ml v.*o may ;pcct to hoar thai (hoy arc revoked. So it , . ami so it will be, with tlio ^onuind Black epuhlican animal. Tijo only avouuo to its (lament, in its sense of four. Coax, and ifc axes more obstinate. Let the spurs draw ood.and forthwith it exeout s thobest apolry it can for a trot. >S. W vsiiinoton, March 2~>. ?11 is staled by ioso supposed to b< well inf< lined, that the IUJ0CI 1IIHI01* COUhHIcnUKiJ! L>y U10 alii net is oi:e of the highest importance to in country, it beinji no loss limn (ho policy i bo pursued towards tho Coul't denUo States. leading 1' pnl i f- n !"' nnt< >' & sinfiI thai -? ' 10 question under consideration was one of >aco or war, and that, inasmuch a- the Cabot wore nearly equally divided upon that -'no, it was extremely difficult for any one say, or oven predict, what determination ioy will arrive at. They have before tluni the do>p.i!e"ie'ou?jht by Lieut. (Iwathmey from the comander of the Drooklyn, oil l'onsaeola, and so despatches from (.'apt. Slenin.er, comanding l"'ort Ticlcons. This officer has iurmod the Government that he is nearly out provis ions, and must ha\o them very soon ho will have to abandon tho fort. Tho immi.uder of the forces of the Confederate latcs, tion. lirajrpf, has notiiicd him that no ipplics can bo landed until orders to that, \y.,yn rviw.nt Jiv J > r. i il. >n t Davis. (Jen. Jirajiy has under his command about lit ii'jiiiM-: 'i lifiv liV'i. 10 irv.'nti tvm i?y .?v, i.\ions l. r light, ami there ecrtainlv v.ill bo dlision, be says. ii*addition;;! troops ;;;c 'fit u re. Tho puns :it I\?rt I'ickuns arc all nu.unted, id well guarded at all points. The Brook i), Sabine, St. Louis and Wyandotte arc lore. Washinuton, .March l's.- In the Senate, r. Trumbull, of Illinis, introduced a resotion nssi rting that the true w.:y t<? preserve e I'uion i.- t > enforce the laws ; that rcsi;; nee to their enforeernent encourages disuon ; that it is the duty of the. President to ie all the means and power he holds to proet the publie property and enforce the laws South Carolina, (rcor^ia, Florida, Aluban, Mississippi, I;cui ian:j, and Texas, as in her States of the Ciii^'n Mr Tm)nboll id this resolution expressed his views, lie krd that it be printed. The Democratic Senators wanted an immeatc vote, but it was not granted. An B.xecive session was held, and Senate adjourned in dir. ? . ^ al'l'ointm i'.n'i k ( <>m ij1.mi.p. Tho Senate, in secret session, e> nCrincd ill Shur/., niitti(>ter to Spain; Cussing-M. lay, minister to llussin ; A.- 15. I iokin.?ois,' N"W York, minister t > Nicaragua ; .lair.en . *larvey, of Pennsylvania, minister to Porgal; B I'. Isherw'X'd, of Nc\v York, Knncer-in-Chief of tho Navy-; George W. ...? \r ..?i i o'... .i ... i . mi*, 9/ uup; ^ <m iurrii iiiiu ontu fiui'li I'iMnri* Alabama ; (Jnpt. Josiali (.Jorgas of New L?rk, Ordinance Depart in cut. RKSTON'ATION. T,icut. IT. 15. Kolly, of Loni'siann, of Inntry sorvico, has resi?rn<'d. VARIOUS I .\l PORTA N I* MATTERS, IP TUT.'P.. Tlio ntatement thatfedeir.il troops from Texhnd boon ordered to land at Fort Piclom.s authoritatively stated to bo untrue. Nq ch order* weiv isawd. No nomination w;.$ r.: .do to ,iupp?y tiio va. fjey on the b' ndi of t!:e fiipreinc ?t. jMr. ArcM'nld, lawl diief 'aspire rof Hio il o;al nri'vy, hnl been offered fl similar po.-;i>11 in the ('unfed' rate utfvv, but declined to cpt. 'J lie propo.-ition of Groat Jjrit.tl:! to reft r o <:an fJuan dispute iu a '.\>n volition for nrt'n.tion goes oyer to next tv sjm.n. Al'VlUBTA, March 28.?Tbo T;:xi<s ?Uil$ 0 jfiveution odoptcd llio |Yr'uiofrcnt C'onstitu>n of tlie (Jonfcdowto .Sfeitoa nlmoat umn? $ ioHsiy. qjm... Tlr.NKriT your friends, Mint tliey tuny Jovo iu still mojr dortfty ; bonofif yotn* cnonriyVj < :?t flioy may l>ecotufi your friends. . V 'i^SS 'JjSB