New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-12-18

vi
was revolution, it would prove not very bloody
one, and the support that has been given t. the
idea in varons quarters has encouraged her to
go 10 lengths she did not originally co template.
Meanwhile, the Administration has pursued u pol
icy that has seemed to favor the conclusion 10
which South Carolina jumped, namely that St.
cession was practicable. The expectation of aid
and comfort from England and France, and the
reliance which the State has been placing on
their quasi support Of Cotton contederacy, have
been considerably dampened by the recent ex
pressions by foreign journals and letters. Rel-
ance of this sort has not been Que OF the least
supports of secession up to this moment. King
Cotton has been relied on 70 work marvels
which are not likely TO be realized, as some be-
gin 10 suspect.
1t becomes a matter Of no little interest q
know what is to be the policy of the Genera
Government. The whole thing is in nutshell,
az it is expsunded here. As sure as the sun
rises, within less than ben days South Carolina
will have declared herself ont of the Union, to
take effect Immediately or at no very distant
they will be attacked by q large armed force.
| viii not speculate on the result of such an at
tack. What does the Government mean to do
Leave this handful Of men and officers here TO
fight it out, and perhaps fall sacrifice : Or
are the Forts to be surrendered when demanded
If So how are the revenue laws to be enforced
in Charleston Harb0rl If the Forts arc to be
strengthened with more men, how : If it were
known that the purpose existed, and that troops
were on their way hther the tragedy would
surely be precipitated and the troops perhaps
arrive only in time TO find the guns turned
against them. What has Mr.. Secretary Floyd
been doing He certainly did, at time when
troops might Lave been prudenty landed here,
suddenly and mysteriously turn them TO another
and distant quarter. Does he know the actual
state of things here IL il possible that the
Government does not know that IFS policy, if
policy it have-trifes with grayest matters, and
greatly encourages the nullifersl
Touching the intention of the armed men of
Charleston-not yet, but soon to be- the army of
South Carolina--tO attack the forts in the con-
tingency of it being known that more troops are
on their way tbither, and of their non-surrender
when demanded, | might add evidence, if any
were needed beside what | have already given;
| will quote, however, a single paragraph from
q late speech of Edward NcCready of Charleston;
81 do not counsel any precipitate action; nor do
fear anyt!iDg from tie fortshey ours not merely
in part They were placed there soil for our
protection, and whenever the separation comes, they
must Tall into eur possession They Will be oars
surely secede; and we will seeede rs surely as
tie sun will iise tomorrow"
There have BEEN aud still are, several officers
of the army here, and | am able to state it as
fact that n number of tbem-gentlemen dis
tinguished and honOred in their profession, and
some Of them long in the service-have recently
compared views, and that one and oil are pre-
pared to resign, and, unless some hidden hand
changes the entire face of things, ,oiu do it; and
most, if not ALL will take commits sons in the army
of the new COnfederacy, or the army of South Car
DINA. Very few Of the officers l speak of are
from South Carolina, bat from the other South
ern States. The only difference among them is
az to the time when the step shall be taken.
The only naval officer in these parts is Capt
T. I. Hunter, who at present is performing the
duty of Inspector of Lights on the Southern
coast.
A question has arisen in tie Legislature which
promises to give trouble. There is tie in the
st. Matthew's Parish on Convention delegate.
The Legislature is asked to order new election.
1t is contended that the Legislature has nothing
to dc with the matter; that it belongs wholly to
the Convention, as body higher than the Legis-
in faat Nm fha 4
was maintained that the Convention was only
the creature of the Legislature, which, in the
act calling the Convention, neglected 20 provide
fOr such case, and that the subject was clearly
within its control. The interest attaching TO the
question extends beyond the particular thing
that called it up. Surely, revolution does have
ia difficulties
The remark is not uncommon IL our streets
that TnE TRIBuNE Office, and sundry other
institutions in your city, suspected of being not
entirely sound on the Slavery question, will be
sacked by mob before the Winter is over
The thing il believed here, and those who do
pray, / suppose remember the same in their
prayers.
by the way, talking of prayers, and that sort
of thing, reminds me that the President of the
United States is no longer prayed for in South
Carolina, the Episcopal prayer-book having been
revised to embrace the forthcoming Convention
and the rising Revolution, in the place of the
" Old Pub. Func." at Washington. Soberly,
this fact goes far TO fix the temper of the
people and the extent TO which things are being
carried.
THE REV. Dir. PREMISES SRRNoN-RRvOLU.
T1ONARY MOVEMENTS.
CHARLESTON s. c., Dec. IA, 1860