The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-04-06
Preparations for War at the
North and the South.
The ODfederate States Ready
for HOetilities.
Probable Surrender Of Forts Sumter and
PickenS In Case Of Attack.
EyTRySR EXCITEMENT At CHARLESTON.
The Policy Of the Federal Government
Towards the South,
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THE RIVAL CONPEDERACIEs PREPARING
FOR WAR
WASHINGTON, April 8, 1851.
MEETING OF ,Hs CABINET.
me nrst regular Cabinet meeting convened today at
noon and continued session for three Southern
affairs exclusively occupied its attention Lieutenant
Gmans report the condition OF at Pensacola
and Fort Pickens the principal subject under
sid ration.
The failure Of the government to obtain any nforma.
ton from Fort Pekens was suoec. great surprise
Fears were entertained that conflict had ensued
sequence Of the landing Of supplies aud that teegraphc
communicate ad been cut of
Up TO late hour there are reports from Fort Pick
ems and the gov exceedingly TO hear
from there.
II was noticed this morning that unusual number Of
official Geographic dispatches sent from the
var and Navy pepa' tments to tho President.
ARARx OF THE wAsmsGroNI.ss.
The excitement tina! prevails here among al classes IN
radical republicans in high gee at the display of al
msnistraton yigor, and walk about with ali OF
defiance The washpgtonans all look exceedingly sober.
POLICY OF THIS ADMINISTRATION.
The country s on the brink of civil war. Lamentable
though this contamination may be- Its imminence
longer be denied The knot that has been tying
las. November and that highest Anship Of
the patton dsentange, win be cut by tho sword
Awestern Congressman, who has satisfied himself
to the purposes Of the administration by interview
with the President vi hin the last twenty four hours
marked TO day that blood would be spilled In less than
ten daysn Tho unnaistakeable symptoms an impend
ing strife render IL but too probable shat his sv pro
phesy win be verified But although tho Inauguration OF
fratricida conflict evidently inevitable, 1t would
DO injustice 10 charge the doleful calamity to
the federal administration. Il does not 10
engage in any aggressive demonstrations It's
men Of war are not put in lighting trim, aad s troops
are not collected In large bodies for subugs.on
II simply means to discharge It's constitutional duties. 1t
intends strengthen protect and defend In case OF at
tack, all the Southern forts stu in its possession
excepting Fort sumter, which Il "a ready 70 aban-
don in order 70 avoid useless bloodshed. II viii
the revenue. II the revolutionary powers Of the
south shall interfere with this discharge Of duties
which the laws Of the land impose upon It, federal mns
ters the interference wiz be repeed and then tho
nict vii come But The administration will no. strike
the orst blow The sho. that viii open the bloody
luons and that OF the awful protectors or The
federal authority.
The doDgs OF the administration since the beginning
of ibis week studiousy sought 10 be KEEP. in tho
dark but not only e actual purpOrt OF the and
amy movements has been definitely sscertalnei, but
something has also leaked out in regard to the
Cabinet proceedings II Is known that Mr.. Sew
ard advocates adherence TO the former pas
Give attitude, but that he found his colleagues
unanimously advocating vigorous response 10
the appeal Of The commander Of the naval forces tho
bay Of Pensacola for additional supplies Of ami pro-
vrious oh demand together with the represen ations
Of the necessity Of action regard 70 the collection
Of the revenue, formed the immediate for the
tDsept forthe present Postmaster Geoersl
Blair foremost in urging the adoption Of energetic
MEASURES.
TIE PRECEDENT
Stree attack upon Forts samter and Pickens has be-
come probable the President has received a number o.
,eesrsphc exhoratiops from leading politicians in all
pats Of The county, urging him not 10 surrender any
Ting and Offering 70 volunteer in Undertaking reinforce
aeuts An cuterprisng Yankee offered 10 supply Major
Anderson with AMI provisions for i've thousand
collars on ten days notice. pro ninent Bell man
Of CDcipra,i telegrsIhed 10 a Western Copgress
to tell ihe President not TO bulge an inch
that TO yield anything was 10 yield every thing, ami
that million Of Northern men would spring 70 arms
should the southern fors be stacked The despatch
handed 70 the President this morning By member
Of The Cabinet Ihese appeals are said TO exercise a
considerable stinsnns influence.
The PresideDt Is now said TO DO fully
euaf cfated from the inert influences Of the
Secretary q state and 70 lend his mostly to Blair and
Chase Frank 7. Blair talked some backbone into Old
Abe day this week, after bis outspoxen upsp,rng
fashion He Told him plainly that peacosble secession
separation, impossibty and that the Of
tia republican adminstr too n5ed the fualiment
a the bell ont the inaugural He said TO
have done Anything nut words 10 his illusions
the views o. the Premier upon the secession QUESTION
RsroRrs IRON MONTGOMERY.
Dispatches received today from Montgomery aud
Charleston, INDICATE tina, the Confederate government Is