, 1860-11-23
THE SECESSION MOVEMENT.
From Last Nights Malls.

IMPORTANT FROM WASHINGTON.
= WAsHtSuroz, Nov. 20, 1860
The discussions Of the question that is now
ngatating the whole country, and tho position
which the President shall take regarding 1t in
bis forthcoming message, has brought the
Cabinet to the verge Of a break up, and 1t may
end In TINT before The first Monday In Dccem-
insists that the Constitution Of the United
States establishes Government, and he, as
the sworn bead and executive thereof, must
and will insist upon the execution Of tho Fed
cral laws; thnt the idca Of peaceablc secession
h5 any State Is fallacy which he docs not
extent Of his power. In thls view he
j. supported By Cass, Blnck, Touccy and Holt.
On the other hand, the Southern members Of
tue cabinet-Flosd, Cobb and Thompson
hold that the Constitution is merely compact,
which may be broken at any moment BY d
single State, which may wish to retire from
the confederaey, by declaring its wish to do
so, and that In so doing they should not be
molestcd by the Ecderal Government. That
portion Of the message treating Of this ques-
tion Of secession is still under discussion,
which will continue until compromise Is
can rely upon these facts, and that tho Admin
istratlon is in crisis.
YRox AARzLISD.
Some Of the leading stocks here have slightly
improved to-day, with heavy hypothecaflons
sold, but with no special change in the gene
raj tone Of the stock, finance or produce busi-
ness.
Rumors arc currently prevailing that the
regular Virginia Banks are throwing out the
notes Of the independent Virginia Banks. It
is slso rumorcd, but the ru1nor wants coufr-
nation, that the Farmers Bank Of Richmond
las suspended specie payments
John ". Garrett has been reelected Presi-
don't Of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to day.
The Bel!-Eycrett Central Committee Of Bal
tlmorc met To-Day md passed Union resolu-
tions.
The latest news from Columbia, s, c., indi-
Gates alight decrease In tkcercltement, but
the military companies Of Columbia are para
ding with the American flag mtnus all except
one star. The financial pressure is increasing
throughout the entire South,
TRoM VIRGINIA.
- -. RICHMOND, Nor 20, 1860
The wisdom Of the course Of. Con. Letcher,
in not calling the Legislature together before
the 1th Of: January, ID freely admitted, even by
many who were most clamorous for an carly
meeting Of that BODY. The progress Of the M
secession feeling is rapid enough without Civ
ing to It the impulse Of an impfomptu cali for
mn extra session Of the Legislature. If the
; Governor yielded to the pressing requests for
m carly assembling OF thnt body m1de By pub
| lie meetings under excitement, tho secession
feeling would have obtained an intensity which
would incapacitatc Virginia from cool and
deliberate discharge Of the functions Of 4cdl-
ator which abe proposes to assume. 1tispos-
sihle that, in the. comparatively long interval
between this and the meeting Of the Legisla-
| ture, the excitement may abate somewhat, and
| giye place to calm and delIbe1atc counsels.
Many entertain serious apprchensions that
should the Wide Awakea attend the inaugu1a-
ton Of Lincoln, and manifest such tone Of
defiance and inso1ent swaggcr as hare marked
their displays during the Presidential cam
/ paign, collision with some. Southern Minute
| Men will be inevitable. have reason to know
that the latter viii be present in large mum
bers, though not in any organized form they
| will however, be prepared to resent any in
suits OF oye1braring manifestations which the
Wide Awakes may indulge In. The Minute
Men contemplated no visit to Washington On
| the occasion Of "Old Abe's" Inauguration,
until 1t Was announced TINT this Wide Awake
organization wonld attend They then
decided to 60, and brook the torture Of this
inaugural spectacle, In order, If necessary, to
give the adhcrcuts Of Abe forctaste Of What