The course of events in the United States has taken
an unex- pected turn. Mr. Buchanan has determined to fulfil the little- regarded promise he made in his Message, and to defend the forts and property of the Union. When the news arrived at Washington, that Major Anderson had retired into Fort Sumpter, the South Carolina envoys, founding themselves on some pledge from Mr. Secretary Floyd, demanded that the troops should be
rhdrawn altogether ; and Mr. Floyd, asserting that a solemn edge not to alter the status quo had been given, required the President's permission to comply with the demand of the envoys. It was refused, and Mr. Floyd resigned. Mr. Holt, Postmaster, ucceeds Mr. Floyd. But the significant step which has been taken is the refusal of the President to entertain the proposals of the envoys from South Carolina, his order to the Navy Depart- nitnt to send two war-steamers to Charleston, and his declara- tiOn that he will defend the State with all the force at his com- mand. He is' sustained in this course by Geneial Scott, the' great States of New York and Pennsylvania, and the powerful communities of the North-west, Mr. Lincoln's country. But he w41 have enough to do. Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, haVe occupied with their troops the forts of the United States. If 'the President acts, he must act by sea ; for, unless he calls on the States to supply Militia, he cannot act on land. He has no troops.
It will be seen at once that the course taken by Mr. Bu- chanan brings the Union on the verge of civil war ; for it is not doubted that the first gun will bring the whole Slave power to- gether, unless the Union men in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Maryland, are strong enough to hold their ground. There are now no signs of a compromise. A new spirit is rising in the North, and the feeling, may be thus expressed—put down trea- son before you talk of compromise. The question now is, which side will fire the first shot.
