The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-01-18

A1\ " AN i 10, lOOls
in Alabama, and have no hesitation in say
ing that the men of property in both states
are unanimously opposed to the secession
movement. 1t is got up and engineered by
the politicians and the poor whites; the
shareholders are compelled to fall in with i,
for fear of having their property contiscated.
The largest siave-owner in this state was
warned, the other day, that if he gave vent
to his Union sentiment, he would be lynched
and his property confscated. lie took the
hint and left the state. 1t is SO in every
county, and also in Alabama, Louisiana and
Georgia. The interest of the owners of
slaves, and property of every kind, makes
them fiien Is of the Union; but in the pres
ent state Of feeling in these states, they can
not declare themselves without running more
risk than they dare encounter. The hope of
us Shareholders is, that the government will
at last do something to check the present re-
volutlonary tide, so as to give US chance to
organize reactlonary party without encan-
ger!ng ourselves, our cotton, or cur necks.
Ii people here felt certain that the United
, States government would fight vigorously, a
submissionist party " ould soon make itself
heard. II is the belief that Mr. Buchanan
/ and his cabinet are on the side of secession
and that no resistance is to be feared, which
gives courage to the enemies of the Union
have very little hope, myself, in the future.
/; We are now paying such prices for corn and
provisions that cotton planting is losing
business. II could sell my slaves l would 60
North but could not sell now without los
Ing sixty per cent at least, on their cost. So
| must swim with the tide and bear what for
tune brings along"
a letter from leading merchant at
Charleston to his friend in Philadelphia con-
firms the same view of the matter He
writes:
81 could not publicly utter the sentiments
Of this letter without risking my life. The
leaders of the convention. like their proto-
types of the French Revolution, are begin
nlnS to be terrified at the fruits Of the seed
they have soWn; but, az Vet, the time for re-
action is not here. The people have been
infuliated through the efforts of the roliti-
clans, and now, like a Partisan mob, are
pushing their captains and lieutenan,s into
the very midst of the danger. 1t makes my
heart bleed TO hear our glorious Union as
sailed, as DO every moment, and SEE the
Palmetto flag floating from fortresses built
10y the money OF the whole people, shortly
too, 1t is probable, to be turned against their
government. What may bring these men to
their senses Is the tax system they have Ia
dopted. When per capita sum is levied
! upon negro slaves, those who began and
have driven forward this miserable business.
Will fee! in their own purses, that which is
now aif!rung men III my situation. They
will be brought to their senses for it starG>
to reason that We can no more maintain {,
permanent military force without immense
and burden>ome taxation, than We can eat
our own cotton. or trade with Europe with
Uncle Sans fleet in our narbor Much as
have read Of foolish conduct, | have never
seen any thing so silly and childish as thai,
OF the men who control our convention.-
They are not st;tesmen; they are luna,icS.
and seem TO take no thought of the morrow
There whole design is one of haste and hat,
and even You, who have Your opinion OF our
hre-oaterS, would be surprised to see how
much more ndiscrett and mex XperleECed they
are than you have believed them to be
These men appear to forget that while they
may prevent an American mall-of-war from
crossing our bar and coming into our port,
and enforcing the United States laws, they
at the same time exclude all commerce from
us. Ihe suggestion made 4 few days ago,
that the entrance to the port should be de-
stro!!c,!, is part Of their foolish policy. Ii.
like the Russians at Scbastopol, We fill our
harDor with obstacles, we therefore not only
defy the government. but starve ourselves.
Our people seem to be On a irulic, and prob
ably when they get sober will also set sane
lac late sii:en.nS OF the president, and his
e'ldent determination TO support Anderson
has created unGoubted alarm in the Camp of
the leaders of the convention. | want nc
war, TOR no man woull: suffer more, or could
afford to suffer less than he who pens thes,
lines. but 1t is clear that unless the fedora
government shows its teeth, and tells thes,
men that it will enforce the laws made il
pursuance Of the constitution, they will e
on until they wrap the whole of the Cult
states in general conhagra,ion.'
a wealthy Alabama planter writes TO
merchant in New York:
! "As to ourselves, Union men, we dare no
utter a word,- though do; and have beer
repeatedly told that nothing but my gra.
head saves me- Life is worth nothing, ant
can only compare our situation to the regr
of terror of the French Revolution. Nj,
wife and children are almost crazy from frigh
at the hourly prospect OF Il negro rising
which some of the executed men mesroe
and whitc) have confessed would take plac,
about Christmas. II we could get our iar.i
lies to the North we would do it; but ever
this movement would excite suspicion An,
now, to our imbecie government. Spcakin,
as they do of wishing 10 avoid blood>hed
why, there is not bread enough here to las
sixty days, and the shortest way to put a >to|
to all our sutFerings would be to block up tn
ports and break up the mail communication
which would stop the supply of bread an,
salt, and then the very leaders of this seces
sion movement would be fried in their owl
tat