Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, April 15, 1861

Fort Sumter has fallen! Surrounded by [a] cordon of batteries, and in the midst of a sea of fire, the gallant officer in command has surrendered; the national flag has been compelled to give place to the banner of the rebels. So much the worse for them. The end is not yet. This is the beginning only. If there is power enough, and patriotism enough, in the Union, the end will not be until rebellion is subdued, and, we hope, every leading rebel executed. Sunrise on the morrow is not more certain, than that the end of this war will be the suppression of the rebellion in the South, and the maintenance of the Union. The South demands to be pacified, it shall have pacification.

Government must and will maintain its authority, even if it is necessary to make the rebel States a solitude. We rejoice to be out of this condition of suspense. We are glad, heartily glad, that war, if war must come, has been commenced. Let the government neither slumber nor sleep, until the majesty of its derided authority has been entirely vindicated. Let the people sustain the government. Keep watch on the traitors in the North. We speak it with shame, that there are such. Let them understand that forbearance has fulfilled its duty, and its exercise is no longer practicable nor politic. Let the laws be executed. There are no parties now but the party of Union, and the party of rebellion; let men take sides. Those who are not for the Union are against it. Our national credit abroad, our national well-being at home, the fate of all that is dear to us,—country, home, families, all hang suspended on the fortune of this struggle. How it absorbs everything else. What are the plans of politicians, the triumphs or defeat of individuals, what are candidates and offices in this hour of our country's peril[?] If the government triumphs all is safe; the Union will come out of this terrible trial stronger than ever; it will march onward like a giant refreshed with wine. If it fails, then will come anarchy, confusion, civil war; the country will be one vast pandemonium. Let us accept events which are inevitable. God, in His providence, has ordered this trial; we can endure it without rebelling against that Providence; we can go through the ordeal and be the better for it. It is the earnest desire of the government to avoid unnecessary bloodshed; but it is also its earnest and determined purpose to save this Union. It relies on the patriotism of the people of the Union; it invokes that patriotism. We believe that great good to the world will grow out of this rebellion. God has great purposes to accomplish by this means, and it would be flying in the face of His Omnipotence not to furnish the volunteers called for by the President, and see that they are well provided with artillery.