, 1861-03-13
Gl,itaq:p Gtibutte.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH IS, 1861
rxru SESSION OF CONGRESS-.

EXTRA SESSION OF CONGRESS-
Whether our present National difficult
ties are to have peaceful or bloody is
sue, an extra session Of Congress appears
to he unavoidable. If the seeding States
should madly resolve to appeal to the ar
bitrament Of wax, the hands Of the Execu-
tive must be strengthened by legislation
adapted to the eugencies and the peculiar
tiles Of ithe case. If the, present status is
maintained until the next regular meeting
Of Congress- condition hardly within the
domain Of probability ty-the President must
be clothed with the necessary power to
collect the revenues off the various South
ern ports. and adequate means must
be placed at his disposal to hold the South
ern forts now in possession Of the United
States forces.
Apprehcnsions are already entertained
that the lower tariff rates adopted by the
Montgomery Congress, will divert TO The
Southern ports large proportion Of the
imports Of the country, especially those in
tended for the Western and Northwestern
trade, the effect Of which would be to
bankrupt the National treasury. Such u
result must not be permitted; but this
can only=be done by repealing the law
making the ports Of seeding States ports
Of entry, or by providing for the collection
Of duties at sea. Not only is some such ac-
ton necessary 1or the protection Of our
National treasury, but the preservation of
Northern commerce and the prosperity Of
every other Northern interest, equally de-
mand it.
If the rumors from Washington are TO
be relied upon, the Administration is
already greatly embarrassed for want Of
legislation adapted to tie exigencies Of the
country. It is said thatproyisions are run
ing low in Fort Sumter-that within Il
fortnight the gallant band who have thus
long retained that stronghold surrounded
on al sides by hostile guns, will be suffer-
ing the pangs Of starvation, unless supplies
are immediately furnished them. The
last Congress adjourned without providing
for this emergency-o that, if resolutely
and promptly met, could not fail 10 precipi
tate a collision. Tt may be that the very
necessities of the case will require the
evacuation Of that fort. If Congress could
he convened in time, the passage of a
single act, would make the President
master Of the situation. Supplies would
not only be sent to Fort Sumter, but re-
Inducements also, which, in the event OF
hostlhies being commenced by the seces-
sionists, would not only render the fort
impreenable, but would enable it to silence
every gun in Charleston harbor and hold
theproud Palmetto city at its mercy.
It is said The other Southern forts now
in possession Of the United States, can be
reinforced at any time without material diff
ficulty. This is undoubtedly true. But if
the secession drift is to continue, the events
Of a few weeks may entirely changethe as
psct Of things, and the same diEagreeable
necessity that now requires a Cabinet
council to discuss the question Of evacuat.
ing Fort Sumter, might convene that body
to consider the same question with respect
to Fort Pickens, the Tortugas OF hey
West. In any event, we are IN the pres,
ence Of Imminent danger, while any day
may bring on the country the condition O
actual war; and yet the Executive is al
most powerlcss for want Of Legislation
adapted to the strait in which he is placed
Then, again, whatever may be The issut
Of present complications, the commercial
and material interests Of the country mus
be carefully looked after. If the Southern
market for Northern manufactures anl
Western products is to be partially closed
OF wholly cut of, other markets must b.
provided. New England, Pennsylvania
New York and New Jersey must have :
market for what they produce, and thei
demand will be warmly seconded by th'
West, which depends largely upon thei
prosperity for the disposal Of its surplus
That this may be afforded, q new
commercial policy must be inaugurated
We must have reciprocal free trade witt
all the tropical countries Of the Western
Hemisphere Mexico, Central America
Brazil, the South American Republics, Gu
ba and the other West India Islands mus
be induced to throw open their markets tt
our productions on such terms as will more
than make good the falling off in ths
Southern demand, To inaugurate thest
and other measures that seem 10 be abso
lutely Necessary in view of the present
state of affairs, as well as to provide for uhE
national emergencies which any day ma,
bring forth, the early assembling Of Con
gress would appear TO be absolutely neces
sary: Nothing but sudden return Of tn
seeding States to loyalty, and Of thel
people to the duties Of good citizenship
seems to us, can avert the necessity.