New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-04-09
pounded since Lincoln entered the White House,
"Shall we have war -


solved in the only honorable mode left open :
the Administration. Humanity and self-pres
eryatiOn demand that we victual our soldiers
and replenish our ortresses-fortresses Dough
with Federal money, and to which our title
Notwithstanding Secession. yea, even admitting
the validity of Secession, is clear and indisPuta
ble-sOldiers whom we elisted, whom we hir'
and pay, and for whom we are bound to provide
For month past here in Washington, sturdy
and unfiinchipg Republicans were becoming
alarmed lest the Administration WINS going tt
prove itself unequal to the crisis by permitting
the open rebels of the Confederate States, and
their hypocritica allies in the Border States, and
their oroakng sympathizers in the Northern
States-all traitors at beart-to drive 1t, step
by step. from the position assumed in the Presi-
dents Inaugural Address. SO steGItby, and seem.
iDely slow did the Government move, that 1t be-
gan to be feared that it would adopt do.Dothing
policy which the South would be swift to turn
to its advantage, and thus not only speedily
drive us from Sumter and Pickens, and all our
fortresses in and near the Gull, but would soon
expel US from the Border Slave States, and olti-
mateIy from the Federal Capital itself
/ While this fear predominated in Republican
minds in this city, the exultation of the Seces-
sionsts and their allies congregated here was
painfully evident. Their tones, looks, gait, and
general demeanor, were exceedingly naughty.
But the news of the last two days from New
York has sent the mercury in the Republican
thermometer up to fever heat while it has caused
that of the traitors 10 sink 10 zero. With all
| their boastngs the South dread war. Fear of
the consequences of collision, on the battle
field, between the Free-labor North and the
Slavery-cursed South is written in legible char
acters upon the yisages of the disciples of the
Negro Propaganda still lowering around the cap
itai. The recent vigorous action of the Admin
istration has burst upon then like bolt from
clear sky. 1t has stunned them into silence.
They do not even threaten. The change which
has come over the spirit of their waking dreams
within three days is apparent to the most casual
observer, aud is almost painful to behold. 1t is
seen in the parlors and Offices of the hotels, on
the avenues and in the pubic parks, and has
even crept into the drinking and billiard saloons,
and the oyster cellars at the street corners.
The crests of the laughter class of SecessioDsts
are being rapidly lowered, while the oaths Of the
more vulgar Of the clan put on milder type
cruel wag that a hundred thousand John Brown.
ites. under the guise of volunteers. will soon be
precpitated across the Potomac, sets their teeth
into chatter.
Upon nobody has this warlike news wrought
80 marked change as upon the Commissioners
OF the Southern Contederacy, Messrs Roman,
Crawford, and Forsyth. They are staying at the
National Hotel. Crawford, who used to be n
very spiteful fre-eatiDg member of Congress, and
who led the attack on Thaddeus Stevens during
the Helper raid in the House of Representatives,
has been very civil, and has embraced every OPP
portunity to chat with unwary Republicans,
seeming to be very cosy and gentle while worm
ing from them the supposed policy of the Ad-
uinistration. But hs countenance, within the
last ior,y-eight hour,, has dropped TO an unusual
length. lie aud Forsyth dined together at u side
table to-day, aud mysteriously pored over some
letters. and converted in very low and conGden-
tal tones all the while betraying extreme
nervousness and looking very grim. These
traitors and spies ought to be instantly arrested
and placed in the custody OF the Marshal Of this
District. There is NOT another Government on
earth that would, under like circumstances, per-
NIT them to 70 ut large in its capital city for an
hour.
Speaking Of traitors and spies reminds me to
say. that tho Departments are still infested with
clerks. and even some Chiefs Of Bureaus, who
strongly sympathize with Secession. They should
be instnntIy turned adrift with an memorable
hand. They watch all the proceedings Of the
Government, have ample opportunities TO ferret
out its secrets, and doubtless some of these VII
lans are daily giving information to responsible
parties in the Confederate States. Some of these
spies are known; and if they are not speedily
turned adrlft they will do infinite harm to the
Government. They should be spotted"
Snco tho red cloud Of war begins to hang its
folds along tho Southern horizon, some Of the
seedy scioDs of the Negro Chiyalry, who have
usually made this city their home, are preparing
to HE toward the tropics. Three or four of
these genteel yagabonds left for the South on
Saturday last eager 10 take commissions in the
army OF the Confederate States. Ere many
months roll round they will probably become pull
atablo food for Puritan powder.
MOVEMENTS ON THE ISLANDS
New.York Harbor was the scene Of continued acliv-
iy yesterday the great psratons Of the Government