Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-11-26
MTEarsrInG REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON
THE CABINET A UNIT.
sEynxENIs OF TIE PRESENT OF THE SECESSION
QUESTION.
Gc.. &c. &C.,
IMPORTANT REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON

WARRINGTON NOV. 81 loou.
There Is no division in the Cabinet on tho secession
question So far from it, no consultation has yet been
had upon It so the President himself declares.
In an interview this evening between the President
and some ardent secessioni Mr. Buchanan took strong
grounds against secession, without resorng rt to con-
catory measures. He could not believe that the mighty
West wonld permit the mouths Of the Mississippi TO be
held by foreign Power which both Louisiana and At
kansas would become in case Of their withdrawal from
the Uniou "South Carolina" he said, wishes TO onter
into conflict with me-a conflict with myself--and
upon the drawing of the first drop OF blood TO drag other
Southern States into the secession movement" The
President did not intimate what he would do In that
event. BE admitted that the South had suffered great
wrongs at the hands Of the North but the federal COM
pact was not be broken up precipatey, and without
reasoning and reflection. He would first appeal TO the
North for justice 10 the South and denied them
"theD." said the President emphaIicaly, am with
them"
All the reports received by the President from the
South are OF the goomiest description. He says"
see no CLEAN Of sunshine yet"
The question Of the acceptance or non-acceptance OF
the resignation Of the South Carolina office holders still
in allegiance. None Of the designations have yet been
definitely acted upon The resignation of United States
Marshal Hamilton, ofSouh Carolina, received to-day
BY the President and placed file for future considera
ton.
Mr. Buchanan is hourly receiving congratulations on
account Of his opposition to the precptate action Of the
hesitate to express their dissatisfaction He deues that
Mr. Ke had authority for declaring that be (Mr. Buch-
anau) was committed the secessonists and he also
denies the declaration of Mr. Yancey to the effect
WASHINGTON Nov. %, 1860
It is often asked what will President Buchanan do 10
the present crisis : What he do After Jackson
issued his famous proclamation, In December 1882, it
three months before act Of Congress passed
to meet the emergency That Get (;he Force acI'
pred by its limitation, and il is not probable that
Mr. Buchanan can get along without such law any bet
ter than Old Hickory. Any Of unusual char
acter even for the collection of revenue will require the
action Of Congress; and any measures for the suppress
sion Of revolution mus. come from the source
II Southern States should secede il will then
be the duty of Congressman Of the Presden-,o de-
termne the great question OF policy, whether il is better
to acknowledge their independence without a conflict or
to attempt BY force TO compel them TO submit. This
will be the most important question ever agAted in
legislative halls aud its discussion will probably occupy
the coming session TO the exclusion Of other bust
ness
Ii is perfectly ridiculous to suppose that the present
revolutionary movements are Of no more significance
than the demonstration made by South Carolina in 1882
Then the opposition made by a single State the
execution Of the revenue laws. The question one
which concerned but small portion OF country. Now
it is issue involving the domestic peace of fifteen
States. Then it was question of dollars. Now it is
one OF safety to homes and resdes 10 onehaf of
common country.
The reports that the President will recognise the con-
stiuton0 right Of State 10 secede at pleasure have
foundation. Secession is revolution and the ony qurs
ton for the Government is whether it is better TO at
tempt suppress the revolution recognize the in
dependence of the seeding States To carry coer
Give comes within the war-makng power aud
TO recognize the independence OF a revolving State is
siny not within the province of the President Alone
II very clear them that all the President can do is
to proceed TO carry on. existing laws in the ordinary
way. When the emergency requires extraordinary
suressueh as were adopted in 1888, more stringent
ones-Congress and the President will have pro-
vide them. Il is by means probable chat any such
action will be taken by Congress hastily The entire
coming session will be required for their discussion and
the settlement OF the existing difficulties will be left
the administration, 10 which they legiiimatey be-
long. SILL have dOubt, in the meantime all the
power and influence OF Mr. Buchanan will be oxerted in
favor of the preservation of the Union and the faithful
execution Of the existing laws.
1t may be well enough 10 state in this connection that
the power given to the President to call forth the militia
OF State under the act Of 1895 put down combina
lions too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary
Of judicial proceedings, is utterly worthless in
case where whole State has assumed revolutionary
attitude Besides the use Of the militia under that act
would only be authorized for thirty days after the meet
ing of Congress To adopt such measure on the eve of
the meeting Of that body would be an absurdty TO say
nothing OF lis utter inadequacy as means Vi ee's the
pfesent SnS. avg
Letters from Senator SldeI, received this morning
from New Orleans state that nothing avert dsrup
ton.