The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1861-01-16
washing,en Corr.spso d cnco.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8, 1860

as IL one were fast gathering about US. Tw
or three days ago company Of marines
equipped for duty, their fies Of swofd-bsy
onets cleaning bright in the sunshine
marched down the Avenue on their way I,
garrison Fort Washington, few miles be
low US. Some additional troops Of the reg
ular army have been ordered here, TO tax,
several positions in the town. The militi,
in the District are being rapidly enrolled fol
drill and preparation to meet any emergency
on the instant. Fire companies are drilling
and resolving themselves into military com
panes, that they may be enabled to do double
duty,-fo the CITY and for the country
The tramp Of armed men, the display Of col
ors and the stirring strains Of martial music
are frequent in our streets. The precaution-
airy measures are all necessary, and Heaven
only knows how soon or how strongly all the
powers Of resistance here may DO tried. II
Maryland can be roped into the secession
movement by the enormous pressure now
brought to bear upon her, such 4 crisis will
come at once. II the Virginia portion Of the
District had not been re-oeded, the event
would not be DELAYED for that contingency,
for Eastern Virginia is ripe and substan-
TALLY prepared to strike that blow at once.
But the disease is "catching," and Maryl land, ,
though hesitatiug and honestly reluctant,
may be infected, and sooner than is antc-
pated; while the fact that the District now
comprises no portion Of Virginia soil, may
not long prove sufficient to restrain the sur.
ging tide Just over our borders. am pre.
pared for anything but trust that no con
cession Of principle will be permitted, on the
part of our Republican friends, let whatever
may impend. 1t is no time to parley with
settle a question-several questions which
ultimately must be settled, will never come.
An effort, and a powerful one, is making
to enlist the Republicans in the support Of
the New York scheme Of adjustment, namely,
the admission Of Kansas as free State, and
then admitting all the rest OF the territory
north and south Of SO deg. 80 min. in two
States. Thurlow Weed, lately here, has
gone home to get it passed Immediately by
the n. I. Legislature, preliminary to the ar
rangement here, aad i.s presentation to the
rest Of the Northern Legislatures. However
the scheme may prosper, in the hands OF its
active and Influential friends, it would no.
seem as If there was airy possibility of its
satisfying those whom it is designed to ap-
pease, to say nothing OF the impracticabiity
OF governing the country from Puget's Sound
to Plattsmouth and Pembina from one COM
mon State Capitals sacrifice OF local in
terests and conveniences which the people Of
Nebraska, Pixies Peck and Washington Ter
rtory would hardly be likely to consent TO,
peaceahly, to alay the crises and clamors of
politicians and traitors.
You will have perceived that Toombs has
openly declared himself in the Senate as a
rebel aud traitor. IL would seem pcredi-
BILE that man who thus boldly proclaims
bis treason, and uses his high position to
obtain information and give advice (as he
does by telegraph to those who are conspi-
ring against the Government OF his country.
should not be promptly arrested by the Chief
Magistrate. And his case was taken into
consideration in the executive session which
succeeded his speech, where he escaped per-
emptory measures by n ajority OF one vote.
II is abominab.e that he should be enabled
to escape ut all, under cover OF any inHu.
ence.
The spirit Of old Ben. Wade 10 the pride
or those here who abide by the Union in low
atty and honor. lie scorns alike conceal.
ment and compromise, demands free course
for tho lawful declaration Of the people and
tho enforcement Of the laws Of the land
against revolutionary conspirators whether
in high places or low. Apropos OF a char
ae'erstio anecdose concerning him, a
true one. Senator Benjamin 'complmented
him on the frankness and ability Of his speech
and took occasion to inquire, shut you
wouldn't think OF coercing as, away down
in Louisiana, would you?" "Sir,n said
Wade, in his energetic way, "we bought you
desert, and by Heaven we'll leave YOU
desert"
Old Buck is getting bis back up at the
treatment OF the traitors. lie has suffered
much insolence at their hands, and is get.
ting firm in his resistance to them. Malice
- one Of tie strongest qualities 10 his COM
position. lie has, as yet, only little sur
face anger. When he gets mad clear THROUGH.
ms vindictiveness may answer the country in
place OF that higher quality, patriotism,
which might not unreasonably be supposed
70 exist In ihn Chief Magistrate TT the ma.
ton, but which events eaarc "a do-on..