The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-01-12
From the National InteHigsncer. Jan. Q.

Il.
The subjoined communication, disclosing the de.
signs of those who have undertaken to lead the
movement now threatening a permanent dissolu-
tion of the Union, comes to US from distinguish
ed citizen OF the South, who formerly represented
his State with great distinction in the popular
branch of Congress. Temporarily solourning in
| this city, he has become automatically informed of
the facts rected in the suboined letter, which he
communicates to us under sense of duty and for
the accuracy of which he makes himself respon-
| sbe:
WASHINGTON, JAM 8, 1861
| charge that on last Saturday night a caucus
was held in this city by the Southern Secession
Senators from Florida Georgia, Alabama Missis-
sippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas. 1t was
then and there resolved in effect to assume to them
selves the political power of the South, and, to
control all political and military operations for the
present, they teegraphed to complete the plan of
selzing forts, arsenals, and customhouses and ad-
Vlsed the Conventions now in session, and soon to
assemble, to pass ordinances for immediate seces-
sion; but in order to thwart any operations of the
Government here, the Conventions of the Seed
ing States are to retain their representations in the
Senate and the House.
They also advised, ordered, or directed the as
sembling of Convention of Delegates from the Sc
ceding States at Montgomery ON the 18th of Febru-
airy. This can of course only be done by the Revo-
lutionary Conventions usurping the powers of the
people and sending delegates over whom they will
lose all control to the establishment of Provision
al Government which is the plan of the dictators
This caucus also resolved to take the most etfec-
tua means to dragon the Legislatures of Tennes-
see, Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas and Vir-
ginia into following the Seeding States. Maryland
is also to be influenced by such appeals to popular
passion as have led to the revolutionary steps which
promise a conflict with the State and Federal Gov
ernments in Texas.
They have possessed themselves of all the ave-
nues of information in the South-the telegraph
the press, and the general control of the postmas-
tiers. They also confidently rely upon defections in
the army and navy.
The spectacle here presented is startling to con.
template. Senators entrusted with the representa-
tive sovereignty of the States and sworn to support
the Constitution of the U. States while vet acting
as the prvy councillors of the President and anx-
iousy looked to by their constituents to effect some
practical plan of adjustment deliberately conceive
a conspiracy for the overthrow of the Government
through the military organizations, the dangerous
secret order, Knights of the Golden Circle, "Com.
mittees of Safety" Southern leagues, and other,
agencies at their command; they have instituted as
thorough a military and civil despotism as ever
cursed maddened country.
1t is not difficult to foresee the form of govern
ment which convention thus hurriedly thrown to-
gether at Montgomery will irrevocably fasten upon
deuded and unsuspecting people. 1t must essen
TALLY be ga monarchy founded upon military prin-
cipes," or it cannot endure. Those who usurp
power never fail to forge strong chains.
1t may be too late to sound the alarm. Nothing
may be able to arrest the action of revolutionary
tribunals whose DEGREES principally in ''secret
sessions. But call upon the people to pause and
reflect before they are forced to surrender every
principle of liberty, or fight those who are becom-
ing their masters rather than their servants.
EATON.