New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-04-11

Under date of the 5th, the Washington CORES
pondent of the New York Herald writes:
Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania, besides being
clOseted with the President hour, has had an in
tervew to-day with Secretary Cameron and Cen
Scott and at II o'clock night had private in
terview with of General Scotts confidential
officers. What is up? There is no doubt that
Pennsylvania will be put upon war footing imme-
diately.
Massachusetts, has G67O men, all eu1jpped and
ready to march at twelve hours notice. Among
them are two flying artillery batteries, almost as
expert in drill as the best regulars, and several
dragoon and cavalry corps, not surpassed in effici
ency by any in the volunteer militia in the United
StSates. The infantry corps are well drilled.
New York State is pledged to furnish 10 900 men
at forty-eight hours notice, and other States in
proportion. Illinois and other Western States are
begging to be called into the field We have lively
times before us.
The country is on the brink of civil war La
mentable though this consummaton may be- its
imminence can no longer be denied. The knot
that has been tying since last November, and that
the highest craftsmanship of the nation failed to
disentangle, will be cut by the sword.
A Western Congressman, who has satisfied him.
self as to the purposes Of the Administration by an
interview with the President within the last twenty
four hours, remarked to-day that 50 Blood would be
spilled in less than ten days" The unmistakeable
symptoms of an impending strife render it but too
probable that his evil prophecy will be verified
But although the inauguration of fratricdal CON
fict is now evidently inevitable, it would be inius
tice to charge the dolefu calamity to the Federal
Administration. It does not mean to engage in any
aggressive demonstrations. Its men of war are
not put in fighting trim, and its troops not col
iected in large bodies for of suhjugatiun. II
simply means to discharge its constitutional duties
1T intends to strengthen, protect and defend, in
case of attack all the Southern forts still in its
possession, Sexceptng Fort Sumter, which it is
ready to abandon in order to avoid useless blood
shed. 1t will use all the resources at its command
to collect the revenue. If the revolutionary DOW
of the South shall interfere with this discharge
of duties WHICH the laws of the land impose mon
its federal minister's the interference will he re-
pelled and then the conflict will come. But the
Administration will not strike the first blow, The
shot thst will open the bloody drama of civil strife
will haW5 to be fred on the side of the revolution
lists, and aot on that of the lawful protectors of the
federal anthorty
The ddsags of the Administration since the be-
Ginning of this week were studousy sought to be
3ept in the dark, but not only it's actual purport of
The naval 8ad army movements has been definitely
+aSaerfained but something has also leaked out ia
feEard to the Cabinet proceedings 1t is known
4 stl6t Mr. Seward advocates adherence to the
former passive attitude, but that he found his col
! leagues uuani&ousy advocating a vigorous re-
sBonse to the commander of the naval forces in
the Bay of Pensacola for additional supplies of
lnen and provisioRs, which demand, together with
The remesentatiOns OF the necessity of sOmesacton
in reeara to the collection Of the revenue formed
the inH3adiate occasion for the consent for the
present a#snament Postmaster General Blair was
foremost ID urging the adoption of energetic meas.
4Eres.