Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1861-01-30
SECESSION AND MISSISSIPPI NAV.
IGATI0N.


ernment defenses near the mouth of the
Mississippi river. Another mob is report
ed to have planted cannon on the banks of
the river at Vieksburg. with the avowed
purpose of sinking every steamboat that
offers to pass without cOnsenting to be over
hauled and examined. The former act is
palpable treason against the Federal Gov
ernment, and requires prompt attention
from the Administration. The demonstra-
tions at Yicksburg. as stated. havea special
interest for the people of this city. BOru
ARE OFFENCES so INJURIOUS AND INSULT
ING TO TAE WHOLE NORTHWEST. THAT,
whatever the Federal Government may do,
THEY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED BY OUR PEo-
PIE.
1t is needless to say that the Vicksburg
dispatch referred to has created much ex-
citement and Indignation AMONG those
more Immediately interested, and, in fact,
among all classes Of our people No idle
threats or bravado are uttered, but no dis
position prevails to submit to any inter-
ference with the free navigation of the
Mississippi. No rash or iIl-advised STEPS
will be taken, but on the first insult or
hindrance to any boats pursuing its Gus
tom1ry an1 lawful business, measures will
be taken to put permanent stop to this
insOlence.
What We have Lefore sail, we now say
again: The Northwest will be a unit in
maintaining its right to free and unob-
structed use of the Mississippi river
throughout its entire course. OF this. all
Intermediates and traitors to the Union
may take note, and govern themselves ac-
cordingly.
No forts of the United States Govern
ment, anywhere upon that stream, or in
its vicinity, will be permitted to remain.
for any length of time. in the hands of
beligerent enemy. foreign or domestic
The insurgents who have stolen possession
of Forts jackson, St. Philip. and Pike,
will speedily be cleared out by the Govern
men.; or by some other agency. not hostile
to the Northwest. 1t is not likely. how
ever, that any. forces on that errand would
choose the rout by Vieks5lrg Here the
lawless proceedings referred to at that point
do not result from any reasonable fear
They must have some other purpose.
We regret much to see the spirit of
alienation and fanaticism which appears
now to be in the ascendant at New Orleans.
We should regret still more if the day ever
comes when in defense of our rights-par-
ticularly that of the free navigation Of the
Mississippi, obtained by an outlay Of mil
lions of dOllars-New Orleans and Cincin-
natl should be parties, on opposite sides,
to actual war. But we say distinctly. that
the mouth of the Mississippi will not pass
into the hands of foreign power, or our
trade and intercourse up and down that
river be left to the mercy Of . mere treaty
until after long and desperate struggle,
in which the Northwest shall have been
vanquished. And this last result We DO
not seriously apPrehend. We are disposed
to think. rather, that New Orleans would
first find itself submerged in another Dead
Sea. should it carelcssly pOrvO&e and mad
ly persist in a warfare like that
We suspect that the Southern malcon-
tents are far less ignorant of the material
strength of the States of the Northwest,
than of the spirit which has been excited
among cur people by constant menaees
and by recent events. There is 'aO dirisior'
of sentiment IN this section. The madc1p
Disunionists are known to be lc,cke'tiy
qCroRg Forbearance toward their IN
solcnce has ceased to be consistent with
decent sclf-respect. They are raising
storm at the North which will have no less
force and fury because it has gathered
slowly. We want no strife. There IS
need of none. With loyal citizens we are
prepared to talk over mutual grievances,
and to reconcile all differences in peace
full way. But we are not to be coerced by
South Carolina. or Louisiana, or MlsslS-
sippi into dishonorable surrender Of our !
indisputable RIGHTS. or into unfalthlulness
to our manifest DUTY. This is our position;
and be the result what it may, this position
we shall maintain.-C CiRcinnat,i Gazette.