Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-02-07

A TEMPEST IN a TIA Por.-The public were
doubtless amused this morning by the publica-
ton Of a correspondence between Msjor General
Weightman, commanding the militia Of this Dis
trict, and the Mayor of Westinghouse at least
the acting Mayor of Washington; az who really
is Mayor Of Washington remains to be decided
next week by the Circuit Court, unless the scheme
to stave of the trial, which is proposed to be
ess1yed we hear, proves successful.
General weightman inquiries Of Mayor Berret
where the latter's police are to be found In case
some emergency arises that may make Il neces-
sary for him TO seek their aid. Mayor Berret
replies, Indignantly, that he alone has the right to
the police of the District, or rather TO control
them; vaunts his authority chief executive
oficer Of the District of Columbia; his ability
to preserve the peace and protect the rights Of all
here, under any circumstances whatever, with his
police force; and pitches into the authorities Of
the General Government generally, fer taking
measures to preserve the peace Of the city until
the 4th Of March by force Of arms, IL that be
necessary.
Now, no man in Washington fails to compre-
bend that two months ago the camarilla, who,
sitting in secret conclave here plotted and directed
the taking Of southern forts BY force Of arms and
the revolutionary seizure Of other property Of the
General Government in the South, embraced In
their circle Of such measures, scheme to seize the
public property In this city In the same way, and
by a resort to similar means. The immense
efforts to induce Maryland and Virginia to revo-
lutionize before the 4th of March, which the
camarilla essayed, were essayed especially to
render successful their designs upon the public
property in this city.
The Richmond Enquirer, one Of their organs,
with more zeal than discretion, for weeks urged
that organization should at once be completed
throughout Virginia to the end Of selling the
Federal Metropolis by force Of arms. A political
club of this city, composed with few exceptions
Of incumbents Of small places at the expense of
the national and city treasury notorious political
workers with the boot heel and ckbat, and Of
outside rowdies and despefadoes such as inaugu.
rated the reign Of terror that existed here at the
seasons Of the last and previous municipal cleo
lions, sympathizing with the revolutionary pur.
poses Of the camarilla, In various ways satisfied
all sensible persons Of the readiness Of their or
ganization to play conspicuous parts in the contem-
plated seizure Of W ashington.
All know, further that In Baltimore there were
not long since II not at present. thousands Of con-
genial rowdy and violent spirits ready to enlist in
the same enterprise, after the fashion In which
they precipitated themselves upon Washington,
and with the notorious countenance of the police
placed us, here, under the supremacy Of the law
OF the revolver, bowie knife and brickbat, on the
occasion of our two municipal elections referred
to above. AL know, further, from what the dis
union camarilla have ordered to be done at the
South, that they would be sure to be provided
with other and more powerful elements Of revo-
lutionary success by violence here, If allowed to
do so with IMMUNITY.
Under such circumstances II was the plain duty
OF the President to make assurance doubly sure,
that II the attempt to seize Washington should be
made, the authority Of the Government should not
rest-for its supremacy in the District Of Colum-
bia-uPon the disposition Of Mayor Beret's police
to do their duty; especially after the display of
the manner In which they do do their duty in
such cases, they made on the occasions Of the two
last Washington municipal elections. Upon the
strength OF that display, ninetenths Of our fellow.
citizens realize that had the design Of the CANA.
rilla to seize Washington been allowed to be car.
ried out unquestiened, the chances were ten to
one that, instead Of exerting themselves for the
cause Of law and right, more or less of Mayor
Berret's police would most likely be found the
aiders, abettors-chief assistants-of the invading
rowdy horde.
These facts are doubtless at the bottom Of the
policy Of assembling United States troops here for
the protection Of our city by Its chief executive
oficer-ths President Of the United States Mayor
Berretts pretence that with his police force at his
command, there was no necessity for any such pre-
caution, Is, simply, under such circumstances, a
display Of cool assurance.
In the style Of his pronunciamento, be endeavors
to vaunt his Official authority in Washington far
above that Of the President and thus renders his
Pretensions as ridiculous, as they are truculent.