Worcester daily spy., 1860-12-21

Dear Spy Notwithstanding the momen.
tous events of the week, the friends of the
Union are cheerful rather than Respondent
Disunion is still rampant, but does not speak
with its former emphasis. Secession is GER
tain in a contingency. The fire eaters are as
earnest as ever about leading their states out
of the Union but they now talk of leaving a
door open, that they may come back. They
find that they have run ahead of public opinion
at home, and they double back again to keep
in line with their constituents. Rcconstruc-
ton is now their cry, instead of the fiercer
word disunion.
The reasons for this change may be found
not so much in reaction as in the manifestation
of the real sentiments of the southern people,
The country, the rural districts, the people
living in the little villages or plantations,
about the cross roads, have been heard from,
and do not sustain in full the action of the
towns. The press and politicians of Alabama
confess openly their fear that the cooperation.
lists will have the majority in the approaching
state convention. Senator Toombs writes
fro.2 Georgia that if the North will conform
to his IDEAS he don't see that Georgia need to
secede at present, and in any event, he don't
think she ought to leave the Union before the
1st OF March. A conservative element has
manifested itself in South Carolina. Resolu-
tions are passed in country meetings, censur-
ing the hot haste of the legislature, in calling
the convention so early, and advocating delay
in passing the ordinance of secession. Then
81 ia 8
conservative, over Mr. Rhett, the secession
leader. The result OF the gubernatorial con
test is styled by South Carolina papers VIC
tory Of the ant-war party. 1t is not imposs-
BILE that in spite OF the efforts to pack the con-
vention with committed men, and in spite of
the reign Of terror there, that Il strong conser-
vative element may show itself in the cOnven.
ton, in demand that its result shall be sub
mitted to a vote of the people for ratification
All this gives Union stock an upward tenden
cy, and begets hope that even the Palmetto
State may indulge in sobeS second thought
The resignation of the secretaries of the
treasury and of state, following in such quick
succession, and for such opposite reasons, al
though almost astounding III their Importance,
are not disheartening. Howell Cobb has sunk
| to deeper degradation than was thought pos
slble Tor so public man. Gen. Cass has
risen to the top wave of popularity. The feel.
| lilS mdHllSslSu tOWdTu them SHOWS plainly
where the public heart is founl The avidity
with which the rumor OF the presidents resg.
nation was received shows that the wish was
father to the thought that it might be true
People think the president will do nothing lest
he do wrong, and that the vice president, were
he TO succeed to active power, would rather do
wrong than nothing, and they prefer an active
TO a passive reign-to wear out rather than to
rust QUITO have the government die in
struggle Tor existence, rather TO + II to pieces
under the do.nothng policy of the Buchaneers
There is u talk, and in democratic circles,
too, of impeaching the president for neglect Of
| duty in not reinforcing the South Carolina
forts. 1t is principally confined to the north.
west where there is no thought of disloyaty,
and where the mbecility and treachery OF the
| president meets with no palliations from kin.
| dred feeling. OF course no such step will be
taken. Similar threats were made against
jackson, Van Buren, and Tyler, which re-
suited in nothing. Could the military steps of
trial wrest the helm of state from the weak
hands now holding it, no doubt they would be
taken.
The feeling among the western men of all
classes is intense But yesterday / was told
oy Hoosier that he had heard "such treason
IN barber's shop, that morning, as would
nave hung its utlerer in Illinois. The boys
VINO voted for Breckenridge would have strung
nm up Tor such talk. We don't lynch a man
except on the strongest proyocaton, and what
could nave been stronger than such disuuion
treason ?"
] Yesterday stout old Senator Wade Of Ohio