Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-01-11
The National Crisis.

ing sxtyfour under command OF Lieut. Jones, nave ar
rived at Harper Ferry from Carlisle Barracks Pa, sent
hiber to guard the arsenal and public property at that
post.
The brother of Msior Anderson arrived In Washington
from Fort Sumter Tuesday, having been sent thher by
the President to ascertain the state of affairs He reports
that Major Anderson has ample supplies and confident
of being able 10 hold the fort against any force de
makes no requision for renforcemens, leaving that
matter to his superiors.
The State of Georgia has appointed Commissioner to
proceed abroad to obtain from foreign Powers the re-
cognion OF the seeding States governments de de0
He will also be charged with the duty Of negotiating
basis of credit and exchange by which the cotton crop
can be hypothetical in Europe and moved for joint ac
count If the federal government shall make arrange
mens to collect the revenue of Southern seaports is
arranged that the cotton States will pronounce for free
trade and direct taxation They will proceed to raise the
revenue for the South by direct taxation, giving notice
to foreign governments that Southern ports open TO
the importation of their MERCHANDISE free of duty and
that the imposition odues by the United States govern
ment is unlawful and unauthorized The idea is that
the question would in lis way become foreign one and
England and France viii be left to decide between
Northern alliance and free trade with the South.
PROPOSED SECESSION OF YORK CITY.
1t was mentioned by telegraph Tuesdays Wing that
Mayor Wood, of New York. in his message to the Coun
oils had advised the secession" of that city from the
State which it belongs The message is now before
IS Beginning with the assumption that the Government
appears be the of dissolution and that in such
an event every community must take otsef best
can Mayor Wood charges that the legislation of the
State Government Albany has been nimical to the
city in many very material respects, and asks
"Why should not New York city, instead disappearing
by her contributions in twothrds the expenses
of the United States become also equally independent
As free city, with but nominal duty on imports, her
local government could be supported without taxation
upon her people. Thus could live free from taxes
and have cheap goods nearly duty free In this she would
have the whole and united support OF the Southern |
States as well as of all other States to whose interests
and rights under the Constitution she has always been
true"
at is well for individuals or communities to look
every danger square in the face and it calmly
and bravey. As dreadful the seyerng Of the bonds
that have hitherto united the States has been in
platon it is apparently stern and inevitable fact
We have to meet it with all the consequences what
ever they may be- If the Conederacy broken up the
Government dissolved, and behocves every distinct
community as well every individual to take care 4
themselves.
when Disunion has become fixed and certain f. t. |
why may not New York disrupt the bands which bind
her to a venal and corrupt master-to people and
party that have pundered her revenues attempted 10
ruin her commerce. taken away the power Of selgov-
ernmeut and destroyed the Confederacy OF which she
was the proud Empire City, Amid the gloon which the
present and prospective condition Of thing must cast
over the country New York. free city, shed the
OAy light and hope for future recOnstru Of our
once blessed Conlederacy.
VIEWS OF ruE GOVERNOR OF ILLINOIS
The Legislature of Illinois met at Springfield Monday
the 7th The Governors message discusses state affairs
at some length recommending complete reconstruction
Of the military system-aer which he takes up the great
topic OF the day.
He saws if grievances to any portion OF our coniede'
ration have arisen within the Union let them DC redrCs
ed within the Union.
If unconstitutional laws touching upon the guaran-
teed rights of any of sister States have found place
upon our statute books let them be removed If pref
udce and alienation toward any OF our elow-country-
men has fastened upon mind let it be dismissed and
forgotten Let us be Just ourselves and each other
allowing neither threats to drive from what deem
to be duty pride OF opinion to prevent us from
correcting wherein We may have erred lie recommends
that if Illinois has passed any laws tending to obstruc
the operation of federal authority conflicting with
the constitutional rights OF others they at once be re-
peiled.
Speaking not merely for himself but rejecting what
he assumes be the voice OF Illinois, irrespective Of
party a. it reaches him from all quarters he adopts the
sentiment Of President Jackson: The Federal Union
must be preserved 10 which sentiment he trusts the
Legislature will give emphatic expression at early
day.
FUGITIVE SLAVES IN PENNSYLVANIA.
bill has been reported in the Pennsylvania Legsa
ture TO repeal the sections of the penal code of that State
which the enforcement Of the fugitive slave law
The part Furnishing kidnapping &C. allowed to remain,
but the part obstructins the rccapure of ugiyes and
furnishing the magistrates other officers who may aid
4 Il, IA len tlaa NJ
the fugitive slave law repealed The second section OF
the bill revives the old OF 1850, which was repealed
by the of ls47 allowing Of slaves TO SGolrn
with them in the State, unmolested, for six months
This good law and gave trouble for si1ty-seven
wears and ought to be re-enac;ed.
The third section is new, aud makes new offence,
aiding and persadng claimed fugitive TO evade the
process of the law.
The fourth section prevents any person from interior
ing With the execution OF any taW Of Congress.
POSITION or KENTUCKY.
Mr. S. +. Halle, Commissioner from Alabama, has re-
Gently visited Kentucky TO enlist her Governor in mea-
sures of resistance the approaching ascendancy Of
RepubEcanism In reply TO Mr. Halles letter, the Gov
ernor assens all the views expressed in it, but
that Kentucky is opposed to separate action and prefers
convention of the slave States to hed-say Wash
ington-as early the 9Th OF February He thinks that
an immediate agreement could be had upon guarantees
to be demanded of Federal Government and that if
these should be refused the South would be anti for
separation.
IRON WAR.
The Columbia South Caronian has a letter dated
Charleston, January B. from which take the follow
ing:
During the whole of yesterday and this day, the most
intense excitement prevailed throughout The city, height
ened probably by the great demand for the latest news
cut of by the nOn-ssue OF the daily papers. The peo
pie looked upon the action of the President and Con-
gress a. the most insulting that could be borne; they
seemed be ready to throw themselves at upon
Fort Sumter and die in the attempt to take it, Crowds
had assembled in the petng rain before the Courier and
Mercury Offices despite the stoSh in which they stood
and the drilling, disagreeabe sky above them The
news om Savannah greeted with loud cheers; it
was hailed as an emblem of the policy of Georgia.
Larg. bodies OF workmen on the islands near
Charleston and in the haIbor, throwing up ramparts
cannons are being transported every day. The various
military companies in active service, and those le
behind are grumblug because no work has been given
TO them.
tits true that the buoys have been removed and the
lights 10 the lighthouses exngushsd. Pilots have de-
cared 10 that it is utterly impossible for any ship to
enter the harbor in its present condition. even by the aid
OF pilot, if the attempts made at night and that dur
ing the daytime the attempt would be attended with con-
siderable danger. How, then, any United States cut
ter attempt enter the harbor-eSpeciay when during
the most difficult passage they will be hltered by the
reception of a salute OF fifteen guns from Morris Island
| am nformed-but how true it is another matter
that no ship can give the fort Morris Island its broad
sides this the result Of the nature Of the channel In
any attempt the United States menofwar by the fort
on Morris Island danger will be apprehended from
Fort Sumter as it does not command il.
We are preparing earnestly for In every house
that visit see sisters and younger brothers moulding
bullets and slugs for the soldiers of the families From
some families all the brothers bucklng their ar
NOR and preparing for the fight. In many the support
is taken away rather voluntarily offers his services to