Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-03-22
From the N. Y, Tribune Correspondence.
AFFAIRS IN CHARLESTON.

From the N. Y Tribune Correspondence.
AFFAIRS IN CHARLESTON.
while speaking of Major Andorson's 10y.
atty to his country, and to his own honor I
cannot do better than give you an illustration
Of it, and Of his promptitude in dealing with
traitors There is AN Irish ruflian who loafs
upon the wharvcs, who has, as an ironical
tribute to his extreme ugliness, been dubbed
Handsome Charlie" This vagabond is to
Charleston what Billy Mulligan was to New
Nork-as notorious a scamp as ever went un-
hung. The brother-in-law of Charlie was
soldier attached to the garrison at Fort Sum
ter and was often sent by Major Anderson,
with others, for provisions. These two viii
lians, brothers in "erimo' as well as in claw. 4"
had, it seems, been plotting treason in con-
mex ion with their botters against the Gov
eminent of the United States One of their
plans was to smugglo in files for the purpose
of spiking the guns on Fort Sumter. How
they expected to accomplish this rascality is
another question; but certain it is that files
were introduced into the fortress concealed
in loavos Of bread. The files and the traitors
were both discovered. A messenger was dis
patched to Charleston for a priest The cause
assigned for requiring his presence was the
premature confinement, and consequent dam
ger of a soldiers wife, The real need for
him was to shrive dastardly wretch for the
next world. who was utterly unfit to live in
this. The brother-in-law of''Handsome Char
lie was shot a fitting doom for a traitor.
" am happy to be enabled 70 assure YOU
that there is powerful under-current, even
in Charleston, which is for the Union and for
! ,..It u -, ...t
who, though compelled for the sake of their
own lives and the security of their families
and property to conceal their real principles.
in case of an emergency will be found,
true to the cause of their county, and faith
tul 70 the rights of man. They live now a.
mong an army of wild beasts, who would not
scruple 10 massacre them &C. they exprcssyd
their honest convictions but let the Gov
ernment Of the United States place a single
regiment Of soldiers upon whom they could
depend 10 the City of Charleston, they could
not only collect the Government dues, but
could possibly restore peace to the whole
South. Let the banner Of the Union and the
Constitution be once uufurled by men able
and willing TO defend it, it would not only
scare the traitors. but would collect beneath
its folds thousands OF patriotic men, who will
keep step TO the music of the Union. The
maintenance Of law and order is not only
necessary as against the rebels, but it is OBJ
ligatory upon the Executive, if only to defend
the lives and liberties of the peaceable and
loyal citizen" s. s.
"Of course the proposed evacuation Of Fort
Sumter is almost the exclusive topic of con-
versation. No one really doubts it now. The
authenticated repor; affords inexpressblo re-
Of 70 -, Il
elsewhere that had husbands and brothers in
the rebel ranks, where generally the gratfca-
ton is not less sincere, though there are some
who prefer fight to anything else" =
~ have taken occasion to go among that
small, but | think increasing number, who
never were Secessionists, and are at heart
! Unicn men, but have scarcely dared to say so,
/ for the purpose of ascertaining how they re-
ceived the great news, and what they thought
would be its effect. found them sincerely
joyful, not only because it ayertod bloody
battle in their midst, but because it strength
ened the hope, which they have never relin-
/ pushed, of the restoration of the Union --
They believe the act Of Withdrawing the gar
rison from Fort Sumter will do something
toward drawing the teeth of rebellion even in
South Carolina. With hundreds and thous-
ands, there has been all the while lingering,
unspokon regret at the severance of the Union.
Secession having ceased to be a mere senti-
ment, an abstract idea, and having become
something with stern probabilities, such as
debt, taxation, disordered relations, and a
hundred other things of a like character,
while its benefits and blessings are as distant
as they are doubtful, many others, who have
more or less favored Secession and noated
with the tide, begin to labor under sober,
second thought, aud share these regrets. An
undertaking Union man in this city, said to
me, number of weeks ago, though scarcely
above his breath, that he did not despair OF
seeing the tide turn, and the Revolution 60
under. The same gentleman has Just assured
me that he is encouraged to believe that the
tide has already begun to turn and that hence
forth the growth of positive Union sent-
ment will be steady and certain, though prob
ably greater elsewhere than in South Carolina.
/ The truth is, that Secession has at no time
been the result Of popular conviction, mature
/ ly made up and soberly expressed. 1t is a
transaction of the snap-judgment sort I'M
Outstanding very well this fact, it is not the
policy of JEFF. Davis 81 Co. to allow the ques-
ton, in any manner, to go before the people,
or to depend in the slightest on their approx
al or disapproval. Accordingly, the Perma-
nent Constitution, as it is termed, that has
been matured in secret session at Montgom-
cry, will be submitted only to the Conven-
tions of the seeded States, chosen months
ago, and composed largely of leaders and ex-
pectant politicians They dare not allow the
Constitution referred to to go to the people
direct for their approval or rejection, after a
full and free discussion. If there could be
such discussion Of the great question Of
Secession, or of the minor resulting ones, the
supremacy of Davis Il Co., if not brought to
a sudden end, would be seriously endangered, -
~ The Grove Works, a large factory at
Hartford, was burned on Thursday, causing
a loss of S3O 900 A younp man named