The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-01-19

DisuniOn Programme.
The subjoined communication, disclosing
the designs of those who have undertaken TO
lead the movement now threatening peIma-
nent dissolution Of the Union, comes to US
from a distinguished citizen of the South,
who formerly represented his State with great
distinction in the popular branch of Congress.
Temporarily sojourning in this city. he has
become automatically informed OF the facts
rectcd in the subjoined letter, which be com.
municates TO US under d sense Of duty, and
for the accuracy Of which he makes himself
responsible Nothing bat assurances COM
ing from such an intelligent, reliable source
could induce us to accept the authenticity Of
these Startling statements, which so deeply
concern not Only the welfare but the honor Of
the Southern people. To them we submit,
without present comment, the programme to
which they are expected to yield their I'M
plicit adhesion, without any seruples of con-
science as without any regard to their owu
safety.
WASHINGTON, January 9, 1861.
charge that on last Saturday night q
caucus was he'd in this city by the Southern
Secession Senators from Florida, Georgia,
Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas,
and Texas. 1t was then and there resolved
in effect to assume to themselves the politica
power of the South, and to control all POLITICAL
and military operations for the present, they
telcgraphcd TO complete the plan of Selling
forts, arsenals aud custom houses, and adj
vlsed the Conventions now IN session, and
soon to assemble, TO pass ordinances for i'm,
mediate secession: but, in order to thwart
any operations Of The Government here, tho
Conventions of the Seceeding States are to,
retain Their representations in the Senate and
the House.
They also advised. ordered. or directed the
assembling of a Convention Of Delegates from
the Seeding States at Montgomery on the
18TH of February. This can of course only
be done ny the revolutionary Conventions
usurping the powers of the people and send
ing delegates over whom they will lose all con.
troll in the establishment of Provisional
Government, which is the plan of the dicta-
tors
This caucus also resolved to take the most
eiieclual means to Dragon the Legislatures of
Tennessee. Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas,
Texas, and Virginia INTO following the Secced-
ing States. Maryland Is also to be influenced
by such appeals to ponuar passion as have
.ed to the revolutionary steps which promise
a conflict W it'll the State and Federal Gov.
menls in Texas.
They have possessed themselves of all the
avenues Of information in the Soulh-the tel
cglaph, the press, and the general control of
the posmasters, They also confidently rely
upon OBJECTIONS in the army and navy.
Tho nnpta rl b,ro -,
contemplate. Senators entrusted with the
representative sovereignty Of the States, and
sworn to support the Constitution of tho
United States. while yet acting as the PRIV
councillors Of the President. and anxiously
looked to by their constituents to effect some
plan of adjustment, deliberately conceive
conspiracy for the overthrow of the Govern.
ment through the military organizations, the
dangerous secret order, the knights of the
Golden Circle, Committees of Safety"
Southern leagues, and other agencies at their
command: they have Instituted as thorough
military and civil despotisln as ever cursed
a maddened country.
1t Is not difficult to foresee the form of
government when Convention thus hurried
y thrown together at Montgomery will ire
vocably fasten upon deludcd and unsuspect-
ing peol le 1t must essentially be mon
archy founded upon military principles" or
it cannot endure Those who usulp power
never fail to forge strong chains.
] may he too late to sound the alarm
Nothing may be able to arrest the action of
revolutionary tribunals whose DEGREES are
principally in " secret sessions" But call
upon the people to pause and reflect before
they are forced to surrender every principle of
liberty, or to fight those WHO are becoming
their masters rather than their servants
EATON.
AS confirming the intelligence furnished by
our informant we may cite the following cx.
tract from the Washington correspondence
Of yesterday Baltimore Sun:
-" The leaders Of the Southern movement
are consulting as to the best mode of CONSOLE
dating their interests into Confcderacy un-
der Provisional Government The plan is
to make Senator HUNTER, of Virginia. Pro-
vlsional President and JEFFERoN DAVIS
Comma Of the Amy Of defence.
Mr.. Hunter possesses in a more eminent de-
gree the philosopher, characteristics of JEFF
ferson than any other statesman now living.
Col Davis is graduate of West Point, was
distinguished for gaantry at Buena Vista,
and served as Secretary Of War under Presi-
dent PIERCE, and is not second to Gen. SCOTT
in military science or courage
AN TScIbENr At Eopr, S,-,,prpp ~. !. O