The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-01-18
Letter From New York.
New YORK, Jan II, 1861

To the Editor of the Caledonian: |
The excitement here to-day is intense. We
are hourly expecting to hear that the blood
of our southern brethren has been shed, and
civil war actually commenced. The strong
est hearts are appalled, at the thought of the
fearful consequences that must inevitably
follow the first shedding Of American blood.
AS loyal citizens, however, and as lovers
of our country We have but one policy to
pursue. We must act firmly, and energeti-
cally. Treason must be treated with all the
rigors of righteous law and let the conse-
quences take care of themselves, for We know
that God will protect the issues of right
eous cause. Like Brutus, let every man in
vest himself with the armor of loyalty, ma
king his country the first object of his a1ec-
ton, and prepare himself to execute the stern
!ecrees of the law even upon his own son, if
it shall become necessary.
During the war of the revolution this city
was infested with tories, so was the city of
Charleston. and now-to-day-when the ext
gencies of the times call for true hearts, we
find the city of New York and the city of
Charleston, again linked together in the bonds
Of sympathy.
Many of our leading merchants who love
their country exactly in proportion to the a.
mount of money they can make by their pa
trotism, declare that when one state secedes
the act itself dissolves the Union; therefore
Abraham Lincoln cannot be the president
of the whole Union and they will use all their
influence to prevent his Inauguration. Fer
nando Wood starting from the same premi-
ses, and guagins his patriotism by his per
sonal ambition, declares in his message for
secession of the city Of New York.
We turn our eyes to the agricultural dis.
tricts, where We expect to find the fires of lib
.rtv still burning on the affairs of true
hearts.
Some tue since it vas rumorcd in the
streets that Henry Ward Beecher's church
, would be torn down by an armed mob. Su.
perntendent Kennedy Immediately went into
Z an investigation Of the rumor, and the result,
) were of startling character. 1t was found
that at the nstisation of southern sympath
, GERS an organization had been formed which
: was Offered and armed SO as to be prepared
$ for military duty. The plan was first to at
tick Beechers church, then the Tribune bull
dings, and then the Evening Post buildings
Having accomplished this par: of their plan
the next move would be to depose the police
put the city under the charge of vigilance
{ committee, and then declare for the secession
of the city of New York from the state, ant
= make what mayor Wood Calls Free City
If this could all have been accomplished tn,
attention Of the general government would
be diverted from the South and the revolu
: tionists would, both at the north and the
: south. be better able to succeed in their dia
: bolical plans.
Mr. Kennedy Immediately sent body of
police to protect the first object of attack
: But some members OF the church, fearing
that sufficient protection would not be afford
ed, mentioned the fact to mayor Powell of
Brooklyn, and through some person attached
to the office, the threat became known to the
puoiic' ana the mob becoming aware that al
attack would be met by an armed body of
p'Hce' dio not make their appearance. MI
Kennedy also applied to the common coun
ell tor an addition to his force of four hun
area men, Inc common council granted his
, request out mayor WOOD vetoed the bill or
frivolous grounds Mayor Wood IN his late
message throws ont feeier to try the pub
nc sentiment Oh the last part OF the pro
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