Cumberland County NJ Archives History .....Talk Of Secession January 12, 1861
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Donald Buncie http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00034.html#0008389 May 1, 2024, 2:02 am

Since our last, events connected with the programme of secession, have been rapidly
developing. We noticed the abandonment of Fort Moultrie, and the occupation of Fort
Sumter, by Major Anderson, and this has brought matters to a crisis. The South
denounced this step as a rapture of plighted faith. Gov. Floyd, Secretary of War,
demanded of the President that Major Anderson should be remanded, and advised that
all the Federal troops should be promptly withdrawn from Charleston. Upon being
defeated in the Cabinet on this point, he tendered his resignation, which was
received without hesitation. Judge Holt was appointed Secretary of War, ad interim,
and it is understood that he has the benefit of the experience and counsel of Gen.
Scott. This has brought about a complete change in the administration of government,
so that the President begins to fix the confidence of Union men. Now that the
traitors, Cobb and Floyd, are away, and Thomas and Thompson meditating their
departure, a new spirit seems, in the Executive, to respond to the awakened
sentiment of Northern people.
When the Commissioners from South Carolina found their character as envoys
unrecognized, they were exceedingly irritated, and made their demands upon the
President so insolent and insulting, that Mr. Buchanan had no alternative but to
return their second letter unanswered.
On Friday it was telegraphed that Major Anderson was besieged, but this intelligence
was premature. The position he holds is believed to be tenable against all the force
South Carolina can muster.
Gen. Scott has dispatched, by the steamer Star of the West, troops and provisions
for the reinforcement and relief of the garrison. It is rumored that an attack has
been made upon the Star of the West, near Charleston, and the cannonading of that
city by Maj. Anderson commenced, but the report is probably not correct.
Meanwhile, Congress has pronounced upon the matter in its popular branch, and a
resolution introduced by Mr. Adrain of this State, to approve the conduct of Major
Anderson, and to pledge support to the Executive in enforcing the laws, passed by
the decisive vote of 124 to 56. Mr. Nixon, of course, is recorded in the affirmative
of this question.
On Monday the conventions of Alabama and Mississippi were organized, and their
sentiment is overwhelmingly in favor of secession. Where all this will end, it seems
hard to foretell; still Mr. Seward, and others prominent in the Republican party,
freely predict that peace will speedily ensue. It is not likely that the North will
recede in the face of threats, and the Jacksonian doctrine, “The Union must and
shall be preserved,” seems to suit its temper best.
On Friday, Bridgeton responded to the general sentiment of the country by firing
thirty-three guns in honor of Major Anderson’s movement. The public mind is very
much excited in the present unsettled state of things, and it is to be hoped that a
firm and decided policy will vindicate our nation before the world, and repress the
treason that has grown bold from the toleration, if not the connivance of those who
should have met it at its very inception.

Additional Comments:
Source: West-Jersey pioneer. (Bridgeton, N. J.) 1851-1884: January 12, 1861

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