The national Republican., 1860-12-06
THE SECESSION MOVEMENT.

A reausition has been made upon the War
Department, by the commander Of Fort Moul-
trie, for additional troops and munitions of
war. He states that the force now at that
station is inadequate for emergencies which
might arise in case the people or a mob should
attempt to take it. The President and the
Secretary of War ore understood to be in favor
of complying with the demand, but other men,
bers of the Cabinet differ as to the proprety Of
sending an increase of force, as it might exas.
perate the South and lead to trouble. The
Administration is yet undecided as to its course
in the matter.
The Mississippi Legislature adjourned on
the 30th ult., having passed unanimously the
Convention bill, the secession resolutions, and
the resolution authorizing the Governor to ap'
point commissioners to confer with the slave.
holding States. The State Convention is to
meet January I. Mr.. Lamar advocates imme.
diate secession and the Simultaneous adoption
of a Federal Constitutioh-the Southern mem
bers and Senators to form Congress Of the
new Republic, end appoint electors for Presi-
dent of the Southern Confederacy.
A dispatch from Montgomery states that the
disunion movement is steadily and quietly pro-
crossing in Alabama. One half of the counties
will send secession delegates to the Convention
the fight will be confined to those who advo.
cate secession with the cotton States and those
in favor of separate State action. The latter
are said to be largely in the ma jority. The
grand Jury of the United States court at Mont.
gomery presented the Federal Union as a
nuisance.
The Presidents message was received at
Charleston on Tuesday night, and "its moder.
ate tone (so a dispatch says) surprised
most people," 1t had been thought the Presi.
dent would favor coercion. Since the purport
of the message was known, many are in hope
the separation will be peaceful. The volunteer
companies in Charleston who have old fashioned
arms have ordered MIME muskets at their
expense. 1t is said that by the first of January
the State of South Carolina will be on a com
plete war footing.
In the Arkansas Legislature, on the 18th
ultmo resolutions were introduced declaring
the sorrow of the people of that State at the
result of the Presidential election; deferring to
the action of the older Southern States in the
matter; and authorizing the appointment of a
committee to consider the subject. The fol.
lowing were offered as an amendment, and both
it and the original were referred to the Com
mittee on Federal Relations:
"Resolred That the State of Arkansas being
sovereign and capable ofjudging of her rights
and wrongs, and not thinking the election Of
Lincoln of itself cause for the secession Of
States from nor dissolution Of the Union
and this General Assembly being chosen for
the purpose of perpetuating and not of destroy
ing or dissolving the Government, would i'm
press upon the people due forbearance, and
especially would they urge.the importance O.
taking no rash or inconsiderate steps in the
absence of an overt act on the part Of the in
coming Administration.
"Resolred, That while, as a sovereign State
Arkansas claims to be competent to Judge anG
act for herself, independent of rash or ill.ad
vised action on the part Of her other sisters il
the Union, if she defer to any, it would be mor'
manly to follow the lead of the frontier sav,
States, which suffer most and are most inter
ested, rather than the precipitate action o
States less interested and further removed from
the field of danger"
Brigadier General Semmes, a graduate o
West Point having been appointed to tn
command Of the military department in Go
lumbus, Georgia, has written a letter in &C
acknowledgement of the high honor conferred
upon him. The concluding part of the lette
will give an idea of its quality:
Believing that the union of the South lie
through the blood of her sons, the note of abe
lition war on our Southern coasts will be n
unpleasant sound to me. Let consequence
take care of themselves. Are we to count col
sequences, when property, liberty, honor, fan
lily, are the great stakes. Merciful Father fol
bid Forever perish the craven who woul
surrender these for fear of consequences. Ratl
er let the welkin ring Southrons, arise
Buckle on your armorl Trust in God, an
strike for independence! His right arm wi
support you. He will overrule consequences.