The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-04-08

THE MYSTERIOUS AND THREATEsIEd ASPECT
OF THE REvoIUTIoH.-Secresy Is only the de-
fence of the weak, and is always calculated to
arouse suspicion. 1t is, therefore, q bad sign
when we find the administration of this coun-
try hiding its designs, as the ostrich hides his
head, in the face of proceedings that are the
theme of universal comment and anxious
speculation from Florida to Maine. We find
the government chartering and despatching
transports laden with troops and stores, and
equipping the entire naval force at its COM
mand with the utmost haste, and without let
ting the public know the purpose or destina-
ton for which they are intended. Meanwhile
rumor is busy Cd the wing, and we are left to
conjecture. Some say the vessels are bound
for Pensacola, which is probable; others that
they are for Texas, in order to car
ry on the war against the Indians
that are making hostile demonstrations
on the borders ; while many surmise any and
everything, probable and improbable, from &C
tive interference with Spain at San Domingo to
the reinforcement of Fort Sumter.
To the ominous and painful uncertainty Occa-
stoned by these warlike movements, we have
added an increased distrust of the administra-
ton, consequent on the surmise that there is
trouble, almost amounting to a split, in the
Cabinet. 1t Is evident that the war section of
that august body has triumphed over the
peace section. What, therefore, are we to
expect? The administration, by working
only in the dark, has evidently no definite
policy to proclaim, and is weak and I'm
certain in its movements. Now, let us ask
in what good can all this secresy result, and
what necessity is there for maintaining it,
There is no necessity for or utility in it what
ever. 1t is only binding the people, while the
country is drifting to ruin, and while civil war
with all its attendant horrors is being wiifuliy
inaugurated Look at the immense harm the
condition of things is producing in financial and
commercial circles for, of course, according to
the acts of the administration, direct or mystic
rious, stocks in Wall street rise or fall, and
Just now, as consequence, we find the heart of
the money market very irregular indeed in its
quotations.
From present appearances we know what we
may expect in the future. We see that all the
professions Of peace uttered by Mr.. Lincoln
and others were mere idle talk, or else made
to lull the country into state Of false security
TIL the administration concluded its loans and
was ready to strike blow. Fort Pickens, on
its lonely sandbar, may, in lis ruins in years
hereafter, tell of the bloody battle OF Pensaco-
ia which commenced the civil war that desc
lated the United States in the year of our Lord
1861. Our fervent prayer is that it may not,
md that those enemies Of their country who cry
for blooc may be disappointed But of this
there seems now to be little hope.
FOREIGN SYMPATHY WITH THE Two COME
pERAcHs.- has been industriopsly reported
in some of tue republican papers that secret
agents were despatched by the government at
Washington to France and England immedi-
a,ely upon the Inauguration of Mr.. Lincoln,
tor the purpose Of securing the good feeling
Of theee countries in behalf of his administra-
ton, and preventing the recognition Of the
Southern ccnfederacy; and 1t is now asserted
that these agents have returned with the as
surapce of the full accomplishment of their
mission-that neither of these governments
Will recognise or countenance the Southern
conteoeracy. This is absurd on the face of it,
because there has not been sufficient time since
The 4th of March in which to consammate
ny such object; and we know that the very
slast intelligence from Europe only brings
news Of the receipt of the Presidents in
aueural and the comments thereon. One
of the radical organs says that the
agency of these special messengers was
entirely unnecessary, because it is well
known to the administration that the slave
holders possess no hold whatever on the SYM
pathy OF respect Of any par. of the civilized
~orid' This statement is about as absurd
and as false as the one concerning the mission
OF the secret agents We know, from all the
expressed opinions of the sovereigns, the states
mrn and the Journalists of Europe which are
entitled to any weight, that the Southern con-
troeracy has their entire sympathy. Without
any regard to the question of slavery, the
commercial issues involved in the political
difficulties of this country have directed the
sympathies and the interests alike Of foreign
nations towards the free trade policy OF the
South. The manufacturing interest abroad,
everywhere, is in favor of the recognition of
he Southern government, from motives of self
protection, and 1t is simply ridiculous to tell
us that the governments Of Europe are 'de-
cide0ly hostile TO the slave confederacy," in
the face Of such articles aa have appeared re-
Gently in the English and French press.
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DAY BREAKING.-The Boston Post discovers,
from the late elections in Connecticut, Rhode
Island, Brooklyn, ST Louis and elsewhere, that
the day is breaking; while Others, from the war
like movements of the administration, declare
that very dark night is coming on We fear
that these late elections are oil moonshne aud
That our shallow Northern democratic organs,
who hail them a. rood sigas for the JJnlon are