Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-04-10
The War.


For several days we have had rumors OF
war. Somebody has shrewdly told us to
Gstay for the lame messenger If we would
know the TRUTH 'sThe lame messenger"
has not arrived. In the meantime we are
left to consult the logic of facts. There are
but two well ascertained facts which have
not existed since the close of the last year
that would indicate probable active HOSTILE
ties. These are, the concentration of Con-
federate forces at Pensacola, and unusual &C
tivity in the United States Navy. We are
ignorant of what information upon which
the Federal Administration was induced to
create the unusual stir in the Navy Yards
and among the vessels at present command.
The closing of the Navy Yards against
strangers and the dispatch of ships with
sealed orders from Washington is either nom
sense, or is intended to prevent an lmmedl-
ate attack on Fort Pickens. We are inclined
tolook upon the whole business, which We are
bound in common courtesy to consider in
the hands of sensible men on both sides, as a
species of coquetting or fnesse, to delay an
open rupture and to occupy the popular
mind We are satisfied that the Confederate
States, for the present are not for war.
They must wait until the 18th of this month
to find out how they stand on the money
question, which is the "main question" since
it underlies all future operations. We do
not anticipate any attack on Fort Pickens
till this preliminary is settled, however desi-
rable war may be to the Confederate States,
for the ulterior purpose of making the sepa-
ration permanent and of eoercing other
States to Join them On the other hand We
have the organ of Mr.. SEWARD, who is the
handspring in the Federal machinery, the
Albany Journal, urging in the most emphatic
and imperative terms the policy of reconcile
alton and peace: and later still We have Mfr.
SEwARD himself giving assurances ola peace
full policy TO the Confederate Commissioners
at Washington. We cannot, therefore, see
any immediate prospect of bloodshed- If
there Is, it lies in the probable impotence of
the commands,at Sumter or Pickens, which
might possibly precipitate a cannonade.
But this is hardly probable, as we feel sure
that so important step will not be taken
without the consent, nay the positive order
of Mr.. JEFF DAVIS. Mr.. DAVIS knows
what fighting is, and is moreover man of
much better capacity and prudence than
most people are willing to admit.
Hence We conclude that this is a telegraph
war What may come in the next few weeks
may be one in reality. If the Confederate
loan goes briskly and their money question
is settled satisfactorily; and if Mr.. LIN
coin and his advisers follow the advice of
their most bitter. and generally their weak
est. partisans, We may have some stirring
scenes, including some further "dissolving
view" together with a strong odor of sulphur
and saltpetre.
We trust that bright-eyed Peace may still
reign, and that the Federal Administration
may do nothing, peadente lite, pending the
dispute and the earnest and sincere efforts of
the border slave States to bring about an
adjustment, that will defeat those efforts,
and plunge Us into troubles the end of which
none can foresee.