Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1861-01-17
From the \ Y World 18th inst
re rNrcrrN-InN pp0GR ANNIE

STARTLISG EXPOSE BY A SoUTHERN Tx
CoSGREssMAX-CAUc US or THE GULF
STATE u. 5. SESAToRs-IHE SEIZURE
OF FEDERAL Property ADVISED BIZ
THEM-THEIR FUTUBE PLANS.
The cautious and conservative National
Intellioencer of yesterday friday publishes
the following remarkable letter, revealing the
disunion programme, and exposing the com
nlicity of the United States Senators from
The gulf States in the seizures Of federal pro-
perry there, and the conspiracy for the es-
tablishment of provisional goyernmet. To
Its correspondents statements 1t gives an ed
itorial Endorsement
DIsUNIoN PROGRAMME.
The subjoined communication, disclosing
the designs Of those who have undertaken TO
lead the movement now threatening a per-
manent dissolution Of the Union, comes 10 US
from distinguished citizen Of the South, who
formerly represented his State with great
distinction 10 the popular branch of Cen
gress. Temporarily sojourning in this city,
he has BECOME automatically informed of the
facts recited In the subjoined letter, which be
| communicates 10 Us under a sense of duty,
! and for the accuracy of which be makes him
self responsible. Nothing but assurances
coming from such an intelligent, reliable
ITCHY OF these startling statements, which 50
deeply concern not only the welfare, but the
honor Of the southern people. 10 them We
submit without present comment, the pro-
| gramme to which they are expected TO yield
/ their Implicit adhesion, without any scTuples
/ Of conscience as without any regard TO their
| own safety:
WASHINGTON, Jan. 5.
1 charge that on Saturday night, caucus
was held in this city by the southern seccs-
sion Sc majors from Florida, Georgia, AlaDa-
ma, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and
/ Texas. Ii was then and there resolved in
! effect DO assume 10 themselves the political
| power Of the South, and, 10 control all pOliti-
cal and military operations for the present,
they telegraphed to complete the plan OF seiz-
ing fortb, arsenals, and custom-houses, and
advised the conyen tions now in session, and
soon TO assemble, TO pass ordinances for I'M
mediate secession but, IN order 10 ihwart
any operations OF the government here, the
| conventions Of the seeding States are to re-
| tam their representations Ia the Senate and
the House.
They also advised, ordered, OF directed the
assembling Of a convention Of delegates from
the seeding States al Montgomery OK the
18th Of February. This can, Vi course, only
be done BY the revolutionary conventions
usurpln9 the powers Of the people and send
ing delegates over whom they vail lose all
control ia the establishment Of provisional
government, which Is the plan Of the dicta-
tors.
This caucus also resolved 10 take the most
eiectual means to dragon thu legislatures Of
tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas
Texas, and Virginia into following tie Sc
ceding STATES. Maryland is also to be inhu-
enced BY such appeals 10 popular passion a.
have led 10 the revolutionary steps which
promise a conflict with the Slais aud federal
governments IA Texas
They have possessed themselves Of all the
avenues OF information in Tie SOuth-thg
telegraph, the press, and the general control
Of the postmaster. They. also confidently
rely upon defcctiUns IN the army and navy
The spectacle here presented d startling
10 contemplate. Senators entrusted with tae
representative sovereignty OF the States, and
sworn 10 support the Constitution Of the UnE
ted Stats, while yet acting A. the priyy cOuB-
cellors II the President, and anxIOusly look
ed TO ~ their constituents TO effect some
practical plan Of adjustment, deliberately
CONCEIVE conspiracy for tie overthrow O
the goEdrnment through the military Organi
cations. the dangerous secret order, thi
knights loi the Golden Circle, committees o
safety, Eouthern leagues, and other agenciel
at their command; they have instituted a
thorough military and civil despo,ism a,
ever curked a maddened country.
1t Is nbt difficult TO iOTesee the form Of GOV
ernmentl winch convention thus hurrleliy
thrown together at Montgomery viii Irreyo
cabiy fasten upon deluded aud unsuspsct
ing people. Ii must essentially be monarchy
founded upon military principles, or Il an
not eudure- IhOse who usurp power negeI
iail 10 forge strong 9 aims.
II may be too laIe 10 sound the alarm. No
thug may Dc able 10 arrest the action Of rev
OiutiOnarg tribunals whose DEGREES are yrIu
cIpally la secret session" But 4 call upon
the people to pause AMI reflect before they
are forced 10 surrender every principle d
liberty, or 10 tisLG those who are becoming
their masters Father than their servants.
EAION.
As confirming the intelligence furnished
by our lniOrnant, We may cite the following
extract IRON the Washington correspondence
VI yesterdays Baltimore sun
The leaders Of the southern movement,
are consulting a. to the best mode OF consoli-
dating their interests into a cOufeleeacy. IN.
der d provisional government The r,lan !.
to make Senator Hunter, OF Virginia. pro.
SiSional president, aud jefferson Davis com.
mander-in-chIef Of the army OF defence. Nh
Hunter possesses, III d more eminent decree
the philosophical characteristics Of Jefferson
than amp other statesman now LIVING. Col
DAVIS u graduate Of West Point. was dis.
ungulshed for gallautry at Buena Vista. and
served as Secretary Of War under President
Pierce, and Is not second to Gen. Scott in
military science or courage"