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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (March 20, 1961)
8 A I ' ' Li ' lb r 9 MONDAY. MARCH 20, 1961 MEDFORD MAIL TRIBUNE. MEDFORD, ORE CI7ILWAR - . ... '"" linn ,n M M' FACED BIGGEST PROBLEM Abraham Lincoln, prairie lawyer, minority president of a nation cracked by secession, and a man with no administrative experience, faced the biggest problem of the time in early March, 1861 what to do about Fort Sumter. Lin coln was beginning to douht the loyalty of Maj. Robert Anderson, commander of the fort, and, after a consultation with Gen. Winfield Scott, decided the problem was a matter "of getting the garrison safely out of the fort." This made Lincoln's problem even greater, because he was on record for a strong stand in holding southern forts and government property. (UPI Telephoto) Lincoln Studies Sumter Crisis By MERTON T. AKERS UPI Correspondent A man of 52, with no ad ministrative experience, whose national career consis ted of two years as a back bench congressman, went to work the morning of March 5, 1861, on a new job and ran head-on into the bigest problem of the time -1 what to do about t. Sumter. The man was Abraham Lin coln, prairie lawyer, minority President of a nation already cracked by secession. His pre decessor, James Buchanan, had grappled with the prob lem of Sumter most ineffec tually, then tossed it into the lap of the newcomer from Illinois and turned with ob vious relief to the quietude of his own Pennsylvania es tate. The cabinet was new, too, and almost as inexperienced in national affairs as the President. On top of the pile of papers before the President that March morning was a message from Maj. Robert Anderson, holdine out at Ft. Sumter with a handful of men against the ever-constricting lines of South Carolina mllltla. Anderson reported he had bread for 28 days, and plenty of salt pork; but coffee, beans, rice and sugar were dwlndl lug uuu wuuiu luaK iiuill uiigiit to 40 days. The major, standing alone against the gathering forces of secession, went further in this report then he had pre viously. He wrote: "I confess that I would not be willing to risk my reputation on an at tempt to throw reinforcements into this harbor within the time for our relief rendered necessary by the limited sup ply of our provisions, and with a view of holding pos session of same, with a force of less than 20,000 good and disciplined men." He enclosed estimates of his officers backing this up. The report shocked the new President. Earlier he had re ceived from Ulysses Double day, brother of Capt Abncr Doubleday, second In com mand at Ft. Sumter, Informa tion which did not square with this. Lincoln was beginning to doubt the loyalty of Ander son. Perhaps the commander was exaggerating the force needed and the strength of the , South Carolina troops so that the fort could be handed over to the secessionists. Ho asked Joseph Holt, who was carry ing over as secrotary of war until Simon Cameron arrived, If there was any question of Anderson's loyalty. Holt said no, admitting later that ho was not as sure as his answer Indicated. The President turned to Lt. Gen. Winfield Scott, commander-in-chief of the Army. "Evacuation seems almost in evitable," the old warrior re plied. Lincoln told him to give the question more thought. In Lincoln's words this seemed to reduce the question "to a mere matter of getting the garrison safely out of the fort." The President was on rec ord, privately and In his in augural address, as taking a firm stand in holding the southern forts and govern ment property. Ft. Sumter al ready was taking on in the North the shape of a symbol of government strength or weakness and would become even greater one. To start off an administra tion by giving up the last vestige of the government's prestige was unthinkable to Lincoln. As he would do so many times later, he played for a break. Calling the cabinet into a meeting March 9, Lincoln posed this question and asked for written answers: "Assuming It to be possible to now provision Ft. Sumter, under all circumstances, is It wise to attempt It?" By March 10 all the cabinet had answered five against Drovisioning the fort, on in favor and one "maybe." The only cabinet member in favor was Montgomery Blair, postmaster general, who had been reared in the tradition of Andrew Jackson, the president who strangled null- fication at birth. The "maybe" answer came from the secretary of treasury, Salmon P. Chase. He voted "yes" if it could be done peaceably and "no" if it meant war. Simon Cameron, secretory of war; Gideon Welles, secretary of navy; Caleb Smith, secretary of in terior; and Edward Bates, at torney general, voted "no." Seward voted "no" because he believed the South was bluff ing. Lincoln at this point, facing a dissident cabinet, seems to have been undecided and groping for an answer. Ac cording to one account, Mont gomery Blair walked across the street. to Blair House and told his father, F. P. Blair Sr., a Kentucklan who had worked with Jackson, of the cabinet vote. Tho elder Blair went to'see Lincoln, asked him directly if Sumter was to be evacu ated. Lincoln was quoted as saying "he thought that would be tho result." Blair, always candid, told the President, the account continues, that the American people would not stand for such a decision, that it would ruin the Republican Party and perhaps even result in the impeachment of the President. Welles thought Blair's visit "aroused and electrified" Lincoln. Whatever aroused Lincoln- If indeed he needed any arous ing - he began checking into the problem himself, a char acteristic that would grow with the years. Shortly thereafter Mrs. Ab ncr Doubleday, living in Washington since she was made unwelcome in Charles ton in an earlier Sumter crisis, was astonished when she answered her doorbell and saw President Lincoln stand ing there. He wanted to read her husband's latest letter and see for himself about the re sources of the fort. Then he sent, one by one, three personal representatives to Charleston. All were back before the end of March. Ward. H. Lamon, a close friend, ostensibly was check ing on post offices. He stayed one day in hostile Charleston and learned from Gov. Fran cis Pickens that "nothing can prevent war except the ac quiesence of the President of the United States in secession ." Lamon also talked with Anderson and learned his food supply would last until April 15. Only Unionist Left Stephen A. Hurlburt of Chi cago, another friend who was a native of Charleston, went there presumably to visit his sister but he also saw Judge James L. Petigru, who termed himself the only unionist left in the state. There was no union sentiment anywhere, Hurlbert reported. Gustavus V. Fox, assistant secretary of navy, 30, a Yan kee from Massachusetts and an Annapolis graduate, also saw Anderson with a Con federate officer listening in. He reported no time was to be lost if tho fort was to be pro visioned. And he felt plans he had drawn up for the relief still would work. Now Lincoln, working inde pendently of his official fami ly, had his facts and in his secretive way began to make the plans which would force the South to fire the first shot of the Civil War - a point evidently embedded in the President's mind well ahead of the event; f ! T"i TUMI 'V, K-sL 'A I A- ft. ;uLiL-tegbi Gary Cooper' nays: "No partner, this isn't where I work . .-. It's where my money works for me. I know my sav ings are safe here, because they are protected by an agency of the U. S. Government." Your own savings with us arc insured by that same Gov ernment agency, the Federal Savings anil Loan Insur ance Corporation, whose symbol we proudly display. CURRENT DIVIDEND RATE 4 PER ANNUM FIRST FEDERAL Savings & Loan Assn. of Medford 29 North Ivy Street Robert F. Kyle, Manager Better Hunting, Fishing Seen in New Forest Plan rortiana - bportsmen can look forward to better hunt ing and fishing in the na tional forests during the next 10 to 15 years because of a new wildlife habitat 'manage ment program, according to J. Herbert Stone, regional for ester, U.S. forest service, Portland. The plan, called, National Forest Wildlife, is part II of Operation Outdoors, a pro gram to provide new areas and facilities and renovate ex isting ones to relieve over crowding by outdoor recrea tionists. Operation Outdoors is a more detailed presentation of the wildlife phase of the pro gram for the national forests already approved by Con gress and commonly known as Operation Multiple Use, Moroccans Charged With Disguising Raid . Madrid-flJPD-Spain charged Saturday that the kidnapers of three American and seven other oil technicians were Moroccan Army troops who staged a Spanish Sahara bord er raid disguised to look like the work of Nomad rebel bands. A communique from the foreign ministry accused Mo rocco of "a flagrant violation of all .international law, and of peace and good neighborli-ness."i Stone explained. It is designed to improve fish and game conditions and meet the grow i n g public needs. Planning of improve ments for each area will be carried out in cooperation with the Oregon and Wash ington fish and game depart ments. Highlights of the program include planting shrubs, grass es and herbaceous plants on 1.5 million acres of game range; clearing openings, food patches, and game ways for wildlife in dense vegetation on 400,000 acres; and im provement of 7,000 miles of fishing streams and 56,000 acres of lakes by stabilizing banks, planting streamside cover, and constructing cnan nel improvements. The cost of improvements nationwide is estimated at $25.6 million over a 10-to-15-year period. The forest service also plans to improve hunting end fishing by more carefully co ordinating wildlife manage ment with the development of other resources, the reg ional forester said. Selective cutting of timber, for instance, or cutting in small blocks will open up dense stands and provide food for wildlife. Leaving small clumps of conifers will pro vide protection for wildlife. Roads will be located to provide access to hunting and fishing. Livestock watering places will be constructed and located so they will also bene fit deer, turkey,- grouse, and quail. Range seeding will in clude browse and other plants for wildlife food and cover. HANDSOSVIE ...with a HEARING AID : So slim, so trim, the all new Medallion is as attractive as today's most modern eyeglasses. It's Zenith's smallest eyeglass hearing aid styled tor both men and women. Powerful 4-transistor circuit (or lamous "Living Sound-' performance. You ourchBS tansai ind Utrru ot your choic from your own eyefilau sptcialnt. 5itr "LIVING SOUND" $FWJ& HEARING AIDS SO. ORE. HEARING AID SERVICE 38 South Central Phone SP 2-2208 BATTERIES - ACCESSORIES - REPAIRS For All Type Aids 3(0 jliEI o p " " Many of our customers have asked for a frozen food sale in order to replenish -- f"l "I Jri ri'-J-4f fjfTVI near-empty freezers at Safeway savings! Your wish is our command . . . Li'i 9fh ftJ 'JJljkJLftHJn ' nere is tne event' 0ur fine meat department also joins in with exciting Jef ,w . tL& BSim ' freezer specials. Take advantage of these money-saving bargains right now rfSxf 1 JCK'il $Siil WE GIVE VALUABLE ... well worth a special trip! kf1F4fW tl K 1$kMI - GOLD BOND STAMPS WWl E"E7I7PI1 rgMpipV."d jfo;1uu WlmJwtmi errses Bel-air frozen 10-oz. $1 00 pkgs. Lucerne Triple Treat 49c 1.95 25c Diet Dessert vami.a Zee Napkins Four colors qt. pkgs. of 80 n...l N....IMI Van ISroile ucicdi Haauiiiiicm Ten-Pak Whole Kernel Corn Mixed Vegetables French Fries Crinkle Fries Bel-air frozen Bel-air frozen 59c 59c Bel-air cut or sliced Bel-air frozen Bel-air fl:MLlo CI. Bel-air viniMt; rues c 9-oz c-t nn 16-oz. pkg. l pkgs.jI.UU 33c ci nn pkgs.?I.IW Bel-air frozen 16-oz. pkg. C 9-oz. Heat 'n servcw Green Beans Peas & Carrots Vegetables Vet" rnixed I fllf CttmoAli or Chopped Grape Juice C 9-oz. pkgs. 5 X" $1.00 Del Monte Market Day Busy Baker "oven-fresh" 5 10-oz. pkgs. Bel-air Bel-air frozen concentrate 5S$1.00. 2 tn1, 39c Fruit Cocktail Seedless Raisins Sugar Wafers Peanut Butter Skylark Bread Diamond Matches Real Roast creamy Book type 29c 1.00 89c 29c 39c 29c '.p,1o229c pkg. 303 ! cans 4-lb. Pkg. 6-oz. Pkg. 12-oz. jar 15-oe. loaf Rosarila Tortillas 1: 29c Restock your freezer with these grand frozen foods flavorful economical, and so convenient! Trainload Sale . . . Sunkist Navel Empress Jam-Jelly Grape, Mixed Fruit ' MS 39c Seedless, easy-to-peel . . . sweet and oh so juicy! Get a bagful of goodness and California sunshine, today. Pink Grapefruit Emperor Grapes No.l Russets Pascal Celery Fresh Cauliflower Plump flavorful "Premium" hand graded potatoes Thick moated; long, straight stalks Compact heads IK6 lb. IJ3 7...$100 3.49 case ot 3 t: 98c u 10e Large size Indian River Lb. 15 From Finest Eastern Porkers Medium size ribs . . . generous with flavorful meat. Serve 'em your favor ite way for a grand, economical meal. Large Dinner Franks Flavorful . . . fine with beans. Frosen Tuna Pies MANOR HOUSE. Heat 'n Serve. JIOlc Lb. . Each a Reprint of Game No. 9 of "Cross-Out for Cash." 1 2 5 6 10 17 18 2' 22 26 29 p5?5 30 38 41 45 46 M" 50 57 58 61 J 66 70 78 81 -t j.--, DC - mm L u It tivr i, i f fcr vi at ay oa v I .. i a .... . . i t -tmut co. mc $75,250 in Prit 7,450 Winners 20-oz. Size Dishwasher All Handy Andy Cleaner 7c OFF Blue Bell Potato Chips 6'j-oz. Pkg. 9? Safeway Meats . . . Guaranteed to Please! Boiling Beef "0iCl" ,b 19c Bacon Squares our"syeassmo0nfn1: ,b. 33c Fish Sticks Q 8 oi. C1 ftn Manor House frozen, pre-cooked U pkgs. ylaVW Prices effective Monday through Wednesday, March 22, at Safeway in Medford. We reserve the right to limit. K i
