The national Republican., 1861-04-03
], ]. COOMBS, ESQ.

appointment is copied from the Gallipolis,
Ohio, Journal of the 2Sth ultmo -
1T is rumored that our former townsman
and fellow Citizen Joseph j. Coombs Esq, will
most probably succeed in securing the appoint.
ment of District Attorney for the District of
Columbia. We shall rejoice to find it correct.
Office in point of legal ability. His honesty,
moral worth, and sound Republican princi Plies,
render his claims upon the Administration
worthy of reward. Having been extensively
engaged in the practice Of the law for many
years in this county, we never heard any man
say that Mr.. Coombs gave him wrong advice
or acted in any way unprofessonal. His politi
cal opponents accord to him the reputation Of
an honest politician as was clearly evinced by
the respectful attention they paid to his tour
through this section of Ohio during the last
campaign. By his numerous speeches he rem
dered our cause efficient service, and though
no longer resident among US, he still retains
place in the esteem and affection of our peo.
pie, to whom the news of his appointment will
be gratifying, and as highly appreciated as
though given to an actual citizen. We hope,
therefore, to hear the rumor confirmed, feeling
fully assured that he will perform the duties Of
the Office in such manner as will be creditable
to himself his friends, and the Administra.
tion."
FoRT PIcKENs-The writer of letter under
date of March 22 from Pensacola, published in
the Memphis Bulletin, states the whole rebel
force under Gen. Bragg at that date, at nine
hundred men, to which he adds one hundred
more, being local companies ready to be called
out at any moment The writer is attached to
the force under Bragg.
Upon the other side, in addition to the men
in the fort under Lieutenant Slemmer, there
can feet, who could be thrown into the fort
when wanted, and there were also the guns Of
the feet to assist in the defence.
1t is plain enough, therefore, that the fort
was safe on the 22d of March, and considering
the resources of the two parties, it is in no
great jeopardy for the future.
The defence of Fort Pickens need not, and
will not cost the United States single dollar.
We have an army and navy, costing US thirty mil.
lions Of dollars per annum, and which will not
cost us q faIthing more, if detachments from
both, adequate to the defence of Fort Pickens,
are kept permanently there, or within striking
distance. The three thousand men Just re.
moved from Texas, are superabundant for the
purpose, and they can be supported at Pensa-
cola at even less cost than in Texas.
Florida being ours by purchase, and this fort
having been erected with our own money upon
"a site the jurisdiction of which has been ex.
pressly renounced by Florida, an attack upon
it by the malcontents, organized by the JEFF.
Davis cabal, will be precisely the act of ag-
gression which will arouse the national spirit
of the country.
The effect of such an attack will be most
happy everywhere, but especially so in the bor-
der States of the South. 1t will be a case in
which the United States will be strictly on the
defensive, and clearly in the right. And Wig.
orous and victorious defence in such position,
will inspire precisely that confidence in the de.
termination of the Government to sustain it.
self which the Union men of the South pre-.
eminenty need. From the day that the JEFF
Davis cabal open fire upon Fort Pickens, they
will 60 down. The border Southern States
have been patient and lorbearing, and are dis
Pooce W bS oo sum put al ASSAULT upon an
American fort by al insolent rebellion, will
arouse them to the defence of the honor, the
rights, and the great interests of the country.
Faction will be hushed by so startling an event,
and North and South will move harmoniousy
to the rescue of the imperrilled national flag
JEFF Davis cannot attack Fort Pickens with.
out ruin, bat his ruin is equally inevitable, if
he collects great force in front of it, to wear
out the summer in idleness, and to rot and die
from the diseases Of camp. He is collecting
such force, m the hope that the fort will be
surrendered to him, but this is to place his fate
in the keeping of others. 1t is the great mis-
take of his dynasty, but to which he is euticed
by its career Of unchecked aggression hitherto.
The sands and tropical sun of Pensacola will
dssipate his men and his resources, and make
an nglorious end Of all his fortunes.
FAMINE IN IYDIA.-The famine in India ia
desolating the northwestern provinces for a
| thousand miles in extent Bombay papers to
the 18th of February contain the following:
Horrible accounts reach us from the north
west Provinces, of human beings dying at the
rate of four or FIVE hundred a day, while the
desolation is not even limited TO the vast ex
panse Of country from Lucknow to Lahore, for
tales are now told equally appalling of the ex
tremities to which the population Of the native
State of Travancore, in the south of India, are
reduced by the drouth, which has caused all the
fruits Of the earth to wther. According to a
Cochin newspaper mothers in Travancore are
selling their children as slaves for six pence
each, that they may have wherewith to purchase
bread, if only for single day."
1t is stated, that owing to an omission or
oversight, no appropriation was made for the
pay Of any Of the officers of the three Terrific.
rial Governments organized last session. The
Governors and other dignitaries must trust to
the next Congress- for compensation Thou