New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-11-23
THE PRESIDENT AND SOUTH CAROLINA
THE CHIEF CONSPIRATORS.

WASHINGTON Wednesday, Nov. u, lo00.
The President does not feel at all easy, in re- |
gard to the posture of affairs in South Carolina;
and while he has made every effort, and men,
hers Of his Cabinet have exerted every influence |
10 rrevent any hostile demonstration before the
Ath of March. no confidence is entertained in
the ability Of those who are disposed to such
course there to control results. On the con-
trary, there are indications well calculated to
excite his apprehensiOns, that the rash leaders
who have obtained command of the movement,
will not wait for his exodus to precipitate
crisis. il they suppose anything is to be gained
by earlier action. 1t may not be known
10 the public, but the fact is none the
less true. that the United States Arsenal
in Charleston was actually taken possession of
by force a fortnight ago. Col. Gardiner, who
commanded at Fort MOultrie, on Suivans
Island. seven miles from the city, sentup party
of his soldiers when affairs began to take
serious turn, to remove some OF the Government
ammunition down to the Fort and although
they went in citizens dress so az not to attract
notice. and endeayored TO disguise their mission,
they were discovered and compelled by the people
was then put in charge of the Washington Light
Infantry, a volunteer military company, by the
municipal authorities, in order to prevent its
destruction by The populace
Here was an overt against the authority OF
the Government Just much as If Fort
Moultrie had been taken by an armed force.
The prudent concluded, however, to ignore It,
for Presidential reasons, fearing it might pro-
woke q collision and more fatal results. But
that fact will only give encouragement TO the
revolutionists, who, believing the conduct of the
President to be governed by fear VIII be apt to
20 further and make holder demands upon his
forbearance They care nothing for his services
to, or sacrifices ON behalf Of the South, except
TO regard them as weak concessions made to
their dictation. 1t is pretty well developed to
the satisfaction of the leaders that even the
Cotton States will not unite with South Carolina
in the proposed form of secession, and hence
they are anxious to take some steps by which
the President may be compelled to exert his
constitutional powers, in order TO attract SYM
patty, or, if possible, TO force cooperation.
They Cannot retreat now without dishonor and
therefore desire to bring about a condition of
things which may involve other States in the
same fate with themselves
There is no probability, notwithstanding all
the fierce defamation Of Mr.. TOOmbs, that
Y Georgia will follow the lead Of South Carolina
or consent TO be dragged into revolution To graf
ify her passionate caprice. She has refused on
former occasions, and VIII again. Mr., ToOmbs
does not possess the confidence of the masses,
,;o al 70 ip,ta tha az Mr.
Chestnut and Mr.. Hammond, when the work OF
secession is on the very eve of contamination, if
We might believe the conspiratOrs, furnishes con-
elusive evidence that he intends TO think twice
before retiring from the Senate. He could not
have given stronger proof of his fear of submit
ting the question to the people than he did in an
Interpolation, when Mr.. Stephens was urging
the Legislature not TO take any rash step, but to
call Cony entOn, in which he said, g am
afraid of Conventions" He and all like him
are afraid of the good sense and patriotism OF
the people, and place their only reliance on tn
politicians, whom they can more easily manage.
The brother. of the ilustriOus Secretary who
holds the key of our empty Treasury recently
appealed to The Legislature Of Georgia to assume
the whole responsibility of prompt action, be-
cause it was to be presumed they were more
enlightened than the people
Mr. Stephens has completely taken the wind
out of the sails of the DisUniOnists, and he never
made harder, or better, or trucr hit, than when
revlying to the dogmatcal declaration of Mr..
Cobb's brother, that our form of Government had
approved a failure" he said Some of our
"public men have failed in their aspirations;
" that is true, and from that comes great part
"of our troubles" It is not surprising that this
erusher was followed by prolonged applause.
No blow of Iieenan's was ever more effective,
and it is easy to imagine our distinguished Sec
Rotary, to whom it was adroitly administered,
foundering in presence of the Legislature which
his agent had been manipulating to be made. .
Senator Of the United States.
The salananders Ike Keitt who are seeking
notoriety of any kind, will come here this ses-
sion bent upon perpetuating discord," as some
of them proclaimed to be their desire last Win
ter. A repetition Of the manners and arrogance
u lich have heretofore provoked SO much con-
ne ut, may be expected and perhaps some scenes
mn " as exciting as those which are so well re-
men ,bered among the stormy events attending She
Syea Ier's election. Our friends have gained tne
victo, Y and can afford to let these gentlemen
yentfo te their wrath at being required to take
back s. ats for at least four years, aud to sur
render be patronage and power winch they nave
so long a I'd so despotcally welded. They are
in tbe con diton of bad tenants who have been