Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1861-09-13


Mars Of Naval Ast0ek-COnsri-
buttons for Northern Rpers, etc.
A merchant who has recently arrived
from New Orleans gives most doiefu.
description OF the condition OF affairs IL
the Crescent City-such > description
a. might 90 far to justify the hyperboii-
al figure Of the Heayuns, that the 10.
dustrisus owner Of . sharp scythe could
10 good stroke Of business BY moving
he grass in the streets. With all thu
bravery which Southern people assume
TO possess, the citizens Of the great MARI
of commerce on the Mississippi are a.
the time possessed of the alarming idea
that the Federal fleet is about to pounce
upon them, blow up their strong places,
occupy the city in foroe and commit oil
sorts of atrocities end depredatlons
upon tn em. A Demonstration OF that
kind is their fear ~ day and their dream
by night. Unfortunately, up to tnis
line they h.,e been exposed to d'ssP
poiutmeS, Probably, when General
Butler and Commodore Stringham re-
turn from their Northern trip and re-
sumo their commands, they may be 10
duccd to honor New Orleans with a call
similar to that which they made at Hat
teras last week. 1t would be charity
to do so, and relieve the mercantile
community OF that city from ruinous
stagnation which rebel fire eaters have
brought upon them.
1t seems that while some hope for,
others dread, this visitation. These
people have been SO long accustomed to
sefdcception that they cannot realize
that one Of the first results that will fol
low our occupation Of New Orleans will
be to throw open the port once more to
legitimate commerce and to protect
good citizens in the enjoyment OF Their
rights. TIE SANDERS OF Beauregard and
Polk upon the army of the Union are
swallowed in New Orleans, as well as
every where else through the South,
aud "booty and beauty" are believed to
be the main objects OF all who arc armed
for the maintenance of the national gov
eminent. The idea OF an attack upon
The city produces, therefore, the widest
-tate OF excitement. The apprehension
Of this is the more lively, because it
seems to be admitted that there is no.
thing to prevent q strong naval expedi-
ton ascending the Mississippi to the
very leyee at New Orleans, and OF
course they look for nothing less than a
bombardment.
1t appears that the Confederate gov
eminent does not keep any portion Of Its
army there, and that tho citizens have
to look after their own defence in case
Of an attack upon tie city. A couple
of months since q roster was made OF all
who were capable Of bearing arms, and
it was found that they could raise, at
least on paper, about twenty thousand
men, But that did not restore cont
dence. A night attack from the fleet
was expected, and it was provided that
an alarm of twelve strokes on the bell
should be the signal for every man to be
at his post. The inhabitants 60 to bed
every night fully expecting to hear be-
fore morning that o,nnons signal.
A Iudicrous story is told OF mer
chant who, having retire with his mind
full OF that terrifying Idea, was awakened
in the middle of the night by severe
storm. Confounding the arti
lery of heaven with the sixty tour poun-
!ers OF our men of.war, he made up his
nind that the bombardment had come at
last, and that it was time to seek place
of safety. Makipg.a rush for the stair
case he came in collision with door
which was ajar, and the consequence
was a terrible smash of his nose. Shrek
ing with pain and terror, the whole
household was soon around him, and
when tn; cause of his fright became
known the udcrous feature of his mis-
hap was too much for their good nature.
His modification led him next day to
recant his Union sentiments and to
march straightway into the ranks Of the
rebels.
The prostration Of business in New
Orleans is said to be complete, and the
most saddening gloom broods over that
once thriving seat OF commerce. The
collection of rents, whether of stores or
dwellings,, may be said to be entirely
abandoned. As general thing the
people have not the means OF paying
rent, and those who have the means pre-
fer not to pay, finding it quite as con
venient to dcnounce the owners who
would attempt to collect their rents to
the Committee Of Safety as abolitionists
in disguise.
One statement, in particular, made
by our informant IS worthy of the at
tcntion Of our authorities. He asserts
that considerable SUES of money have
been collected by subscription in New
Orleans tor the purpose of sustaining
the Daily Ne,cs and other treaso, able
newspapers at the North in their efforts
to weaken the General Government and
distract the public mind by the cry Of
peace. The same intimation has been
made before, and we have no doubt that
the peace organs that are published and
the peace meetings that arc held IN out
of the way villages in Connecticut and
elsewhere owe their existence to the
secret service fund of the rebels. Al
together the condition Of things at New
Orleans is sad enough to awaken SYM
pathy at the North, and to stimulate the
hone that many weeks will not elapse
before her citizens are rescued from the
consequences Of :heir own madness and