The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-07

prints will not AVOID the matter is better, perhaps 70
correct mistakes regard TO it, Immediate collision can
only arise from the attempt Of the United States 70 COL
lect the duties Of the State 10 reduce Fort Sumter
The first step TO the is before the Senate, in
the shape or nomination TO the collectorship If tken
the next may be to act the presumption that the pro
cess may be peAceable II this proves nugatory, the
question win come up 40 TO the employment Of force
Before this take place, the political problem will be
nearer its solution and all parties will have defined their
positions unmistakeably which will enable them Also 70
Judge better Of the measures proper TO be taken.
II fifteen States to be arrayed against coercion in
any shape, duties will have be collected other ports
than Charleston and other forts than Sumter will have
TO be under consideration.
In few words il would be fatal suppose that
the decision lies Charleston it does not and lead
must look the council chamber. II they should be
far infatuated attempt enforcing the laws
at Charleston would necessary do the at
Norfolk, Savannah Pensacola, Mobe New Orleans, &c,
il the United States had suitable vessels for the pur
pose, the result in the midest FORM would be block
ade Of whole coast Now the only vessels in the navy
suitable TO this end are the new gunboats, seven in
one exceptlon-the Pawnee. But fifty such vessels
would not collect the dutes and they could, the
ton. viii these fifteen States remain passiyeS By no
means Navy they have not but letters Of marque and
reprsal would command in very little time such force
that the commerce of the North would be only safe
der foreign flag, and Northern in Northern bot
toms would be prvaseering under the palmetto
flag. Pride and patriotism would prevent this 2 Did
they prevent o reasonable spirit in 1872 from
giving aid and comfort to the giant forces Of Old
England, in the shape of supplies to her cruisers of
coast or hinder the meeting Of the Hartford Convention
exngush the blue lights that betrayed the purpose Of
brave Decatur TO put to scar
No attempt then to enforce federal laws however sue
ceesful, can savo the Union from dissolution. The
principle in the body polite is but evidence Of
the disease that harbors in the very vtals Of this
the power to stay the evil il is mere creature Of pub
lie opinion and when this divided the force Of the
trail executive is divided too
Let us abstain in time, then, from such gross
as the cauterizing Of the vital issue. The malady
IS organic, not functonary. Keep bayonets and bull
support those just measures that alone st the heav
ing Of the vast multitudes already almost in movement
encourage and sustain those firm hearts in foremost
ranks, who do not yet despair Of the republic.
WASHINGTON, Jan. s, 1851.
The Action Of the Border Sases-A Southern Constituent
Characterization Of Neo Englasd-Major Ander.
son-TAe Alleged Compact beceen The administration and
TIE Governor Of South Carolina-Ez Secretary Floyd
Peace Prospects and Reaction at the Soalh de-, dc.
Teegraphic dispatches win already have informed you
Of quit work arrangement Of the affairs Of the country
by that vague generaity-the border States Names
enough quoted here, but, inquiry each individual
the subject The truth s it too late and bears too
evident an impress of Northern fears rather th:. OF
Southern wishes. The whole matter was discussed
largely the house Of very influential secession Sena
tor last evening" and opinion unanimous that tho
plan was SNARE that il yielded to Northern aggression
all il wants north Of $780, while south Of the old Missouri
compromise line the elements Of discord would become
more excited than 1t guarantees to the South alb
solutey nothing beyond semi security in relation to f
gitive slaves II may before Congress, but IL will
be rejected by State rights representatives to man. and
will prove as shown today in the republican
odous TO ultrasts from the slavehodng portion of
the Union
Gushing is pushing with his whole power the idea OF
Southern Constituent Convention. His influence ia great
Just now, as having completely exhausted the sla
very subject in his Newburyport speeches than any
other His views entirely coincide with those that
have been put forward by tho HERALD within the last
few Iays Senator'S Sldell Gwin Davis and Mason are
quoted believing that the adoption of amendments
the constitution by the United Southern States would be
the safe and method Of testing public feeling
north of Mason Dxons line. Pennsylvania, New Jer
sey and New York would adopt any notifications that
are reasonable and then the peace and unity Of the
federation would be secured If the exclusion Of the
New England States tho result, would be dis
pleased and they would willingly be permitted TO shiver
in the cold until the day Of doom.
Those who are well acquainted with Major Anderson
are much amused at the descriptions which are given
Of him by Northern papers. He seems TO be thought
phegmatc statesman rather than soldier and 70 have
acted in removing the troops under his command from
Fort Mourie 10 Fort sumter, from motives OF pure
national policy The very reverse y the case lie :
than without contrary instructions, would have been
instructive and natural TO any well informed, judcious
military tactician. That s, knowing that Fort Sumter
was the key TO the entire federal strength in Charleston
harbor that the militia Of Charleston once in possession
Of IT, could not be disodged and would possess the com
mand OF Fort Moultre and having been informed that
its seizure by mob imminent he retired 10 van
tage ground which would have been next TO treason
able to have permitted nsurre onsts 70 hold and menace
him from Any diplomatic afterthought more entered
his head probably than IL does that of any responsible
the consequences in the hands Of Providence
The effect Of Major Andersons conduct neither foreseen
nor dreamed Of by the administrator the accusation
brought by the South Carolina Commsosncrs, and en-
dorsed by Secretary Floyd that Mr. Buchanan and his
advisers had violated agreement entered into between
them and the Governor OF South Carolina and others
the effect that Just long the government per-
mtted 10 collect revenues and postage, and federal pro
perty left nviolate, no Interference direct in.
direct shoud be made with secession agitation, and
display Of military fear or authority take place 70 check
IT, That Mr.. Buchanan, individually, had part In such
compact is seriously credited by few Of even his bit
terest enemies although there not wanting ndv duals
high influence who seek TO propagate the rumor. II
supposed with every show Of probability however that
Secretary Floyd exceed his power and authority and
gave pledges which he relied upon his Cabinet position
and Mr.. Buchanans easy good nature 10 enable him "
funl He virtually confirms this IN his srrson, the
mode and tone OF which heartily rcpuilAtea ~ all
well minded men.
sayagery is at discount within a day or two. The
border state theory rs not liked yet IN thought that
something will turn up 10 dspcl clouds and bring
return OF sunshine Great hope placed the people at
large as distinguished from the imbccility manifested
by politicians. The presence here ofIon. Hamilton Fish
Moses Grinne and others Is looked boding well for
the future Of Mr. Seward and letters from Massa
chusets and especially from Boston, speak OF the pro-
gress of reaction there as immense.
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON BY THE WAY
OF VIRGINIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA.
lFrom the Charleston Mercury, Jan.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1, 1861.
There was intense excitement in the Capitol when II
became known that Message from the President 10 the
Senate had arrived
The abolitonists Immediately urged that the Senate
should 20 into Executive session. but the democrats and
souherners would not listen to the proposition and sue
ceeded in carrying adjournment.
The Message then examined by the Senator's, and
proved Ia be the nomination OF one McKibben, OF the
State Pennsy for the office OF Collector OF the
l1.AAl.