The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-15

after the fashion of South Carolina and her
confederates before the end of February. To
this end the Virginia disunionists have virtually
carried their point in that quarter, by securing
special meeting of the Legislature which has
ordered the election of State Convention,
which is to meet about the middle of February;
so that about the goth of that month, most like
ly, said Convention, elected under the whip
and spur of this Southern disunion excitement,
will have passed the ordinance of secession.
But there is hitch in Maryland. If they
could get State Convention called there in
season, no doubt the disnnionists would carry
out their plans, even to the march upon Wash
iDgton. But the Convention required must be
called by the Legislature. This point would be
secured if the Legislature were only called to-
gether. But here is the hitch. The Legislature
extra SESSION. can only be called together
by the Governor, and the present Governor
(Hicks) declines to issue the call. To one
and all the numerous applications made
upon him, and to all the threats uttered against
him from the disunionists, he has given, and
continues to give, fat refusal. He has pub
licly stated his reasons for this course. They
embrace the disunion and Southern confederacy
revolution we have indicated, to which he
is utterly opposed, having more faith in the 60
vernment Of the United States, as it stands,
than in this stupendous and dangerous revolu-
tionary project of Southern confederacy.
Governor Hicks is an old line wing Ameri-
can, and goes for "the Union, the constitution
and the enforcement of the laws" The enter
prise, therefore, of methodically carrying the
State Of Maryland out Of the Union, in season
to assert by the 4th of March her right and title
to the city Of Washington as part of her original
territory, reverting to her possession with her
secession from the Union, will most probably
fail, from the refusal of Governor Hicks to put
the ball in motion. But STILL among the dis
unionists of Maryland and Virginia, the design
of selling upon the city Of Washington, and of
preventing, by force of arms, the Inauguration
of the President elect, is not abandoned.
The Richmond Enquirer has been boldly ad-
vocating the enterprise for some time past, and
there is reason to believe that it is supported
by an Ex-Governor or SO of Virginia and Mary
land, an exmember or two, or more, of the
Cabinet and by members and ex-members Of
Congress, and even by an organized band of
four or five hundred men Of the fighting revo-
lutionary elements of Washington city ITSELF
The Constitution newspaper editor is also sus
pected of being among these conspirators.
The fragrant disunion course of that paper, at
all events, has at length so far disguised Mr..
Buchanan that he has withdrawn all the
government advertising patronage, which he
has hitherto bestowed upon it. OF course this
proceeding has not improved the temper of the
unfortunate editor, Brown; but as the loss of
this patronage will soon reduce him to a low
diet, he may yet be convinced Of the error of
his ways.
At present Brown is very indignant at the
defensive measures undertaken by Gen. Scott
for the maintenance of law and order in Wash
ington. But the whole country is now looking
to him as the right hand man of the President
in upholding the constitutional authority Of
he federal government, especially in Washing
on. OF all things, in order to avoid civil
war of endless calamities, it is most important
to provide against any reasonable or revolu-
iionary movements upon Washington, designed
to overthrow the established government there.
We dare say, however, that the President and
his new Cabinet, assisted by the counsels and
cooperation Of Gen. Scott, will provide for the
peaceable Inauguration of the President elect,
in pursuance of the constitution. In the mean
time Gov. Hicks, in refusing to provide for a
secession State Convention in Maryland, has
done, we doubt not, the most substantial SER
vice in behalf Of the Union cause and in be-
half Of peace.
TupppTA>r N Apnr on 4 Ipur Su.t ry nS Vrrr