Pre War 3 - March 1861 - Alleghenian - Lincoln Now in Office, Ebensburg Petition on Fugitive Slaves, Beauregard Gearing up for Sumter but Should North Evacuate the Fort

The long-looked for and anxiously expected day, the 4th of March, has arrived and departed, and ABRAHAM LINCOLN and HANNNIBAL HAMLIN are now President and VP if the United States. It is with a sense of relief that we pen these words. Well grounded fears had for some time been entertained that foul means would be used to prevent the inauguration of the PEOPLE'S choice; but thank God, the danger is over, and the country mow breathes freer. Let us hope that this happy state of affairs may continue, and we never again be called upon to behold such a Reign of Terror as preceded the new area. 

We see by the official record, that a petition, signed by forty-four citizens of Ebensburg, praying that compensation in money be paid to slaveholders for fugitive slaves that may be rescued from their masters in this State, has been presented to the Legislature. Of the forty-four signers, thirty-eight are Loco-Focos.

MODERN NOTE: The Locofocos were liberal-​republican, anti-​corporate ideologues and political activists located throughout the United States from the 1820s to the 1870s. 

Locofocoism as an ideology included commitments to 1) Universal, equal, inalienable human rights based in self-​ownership; 2) Revolutionary republicanism; 3) The efficacy of democracy in defending individuals’ rights, 4) A “Classical Liberal” or political class-​conflict analysis; and 5) A philosophy and understanding of history which positioned the United States at the forefront of Humanity’s historical battles for Liberty against the tyrannical forces of Power.

Gen. (P.G.T.) Beauregard, lately a Major in the U.S. Army, now a leader of the Rebel Forces, has been appointed by President Davis to the command of the troops assembled at Charleston for the attack on Fort Sumpter (Sumter). 

FORT SUMPTER (Sumter) - Late reports state that the Government has decided on evacuating Fort Sumpter. The chief cause for this step is, that Major (Robert) Anderson has only about fifteen days' provisions, and the question has therefore arisen as to whether reinforcements should be attempted or the fort evacuated. Gen. (Winfield) Scott advises that reinforcements cannot now be thrown into the fort without an enormous sacrifice of life. The question is wholly a military one, and must be decided on a military grounds; and however

much we may dislike to see the order for evacuation issued, we all know where the responsibility rests. Thirty days ago the fort could have been re-enforced without any serious difficulty, and measures had been taken for that purpose, but James Buchanan, the then President of the United States, refused to have them executed. Let him and his Administration be answerable for the consequences. 

Crawford and Forsyth, Commissioners in behalf of the Southern Oligarchy, are in Washington, and will enter at once upon the business of negotiating with the Administration for the surrender of the forts, etc.

Hang Them!