The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-01-04

While the question Of slavery, throus hon I
ali history, has been a subject OF debate the
record Of the past W i'll show that the people of
the free States have remained content wi h
the disposition OF the subject made by the
Constitution and Federal laws, and have re-
Trained from any political agitation of IL IN.
I'll attemps were persistentiy made to extend
the Institution into the national domain with
view, as we have seen, TO Increase the num-
ber OF the staveholding States. The alterna-
i've was now forced upon the Northern
states, either of ceaseless agitation of the
subject of slavery, with view to its removal
even from the slaveholding States themselves,
or else OF resisting its introduction into the
public domain through the Intervention Of
the Federal Government. They chose the lat
ter, and have on all occasions proclaimed, Ind
In the most solemn manner pledged, TO the
slave States, the entire, absolute, and unQues-
TONED control, regulation, management aud
disposition OF slavery within their own bor-
ders. This 10 the position # the free Sta tes
to-day, as 1t always has been, and the convic-
tons and sentiment Of the whole people, save
those OF mere fraction, are In harmony with
II.
Angered by private griefs, or what they
nave deemed au unjust fugitive slave act, q
lew inconsiderate persons of the Northern
States have made either actual or seeming ag-
gressions upon the rights Of the people OF the
met by the people Of the latter in temper
and spirit hostile and rstaIiatory, as might
nave been expected. Vindictive laws have
been passed BY them, peaceable and unoffend-
ing citizens Of Northern birth have been de-
graded or banisaed by Southern communities
and authorities.
What is especially wanted, both at the
North and at the South, is not only ces-
plete restoration Of all those amicable and
fraternal relations which formerly existed in
every portion of the Confederacy, and with.
out which the Union ceases to confer It's high
est advantages.
No apprehension. however, need be enter
tanned thai the people of his aw-abioing &
State would, in any case, suffer their al tnOrI-
ties or agents in the State or Federal Govern =
ment to invade or impair any constitutional
right or privilege of The slave States; on the
contrary, they stand always as ready 10 guar
antee those rights as TO defend their own, and
think 1t would be we'll for the Legislature
to give such new and solemn utterances TO these
convictions as shall afford 10 the people OF all
the Southern States the assurance that all
their rights, under the Constitution and the
laws, are recognized, and will, on the part OF
the people of this State, be respected aud
main taine'i in nviolate.
fully believe that if justice and modera tion
shall mark the conduct OF the loyal States, we
shall safely pass The present crisis, we have
passed many others, without loss of substan-
tal rights or self-respecE L for am un willing o
admit that there are i.,admen, either at the
North or South, sufficiently formidable LII
power or III numbers, 10 destroy the Union OF
the States; a Union which has been produc.
tive OF Ines unable good; Uuiou iu which all
sections and parts have contrib ted in DIVERSE
though harmonious modes, TO that common
result Of strength, stability and happiness,
manifest TO every eye, IN every direction,
throughout the length and breadth of this ex-
tended laLd.
In view, however, Of the momentous ques-
tions involved, il becomes ths solemn duty Of
the National Executive TO act with prompt
tude and hrmness; the eNatiOnaiLeRisl isla ture
mOdprAtltn i, lin "a
public press, Throughout the country, With
that regard TO the rights of all sections and in
terests which its vast influence and RESPONSE
lilies demand.
Every State can do some thing, and ought to
dU all that 1t can to avert the threatened dan
ger. Let New York set the example III this
respect Let her oppose no barrier; bur, on
the contrary, let her Represen q ives in the
Federal Legislature give their ready supper t
to any settlement that shall be just and HON
orable to ALA settlement Cue alike to the
cherished memories OF the past, the mighty
inteT-s's OF the present. and the myriads Of
the future.
Let ner siard In attitude of hostility to
none; but extending the hand of fellowship to
all, ana living up 70 the strict letter OF that
great iundamentaI law the living and lmmOr-
tai bond CT The union Of the States, cal daily
unite with other men bers of the Con isde racy ,
in proclaiming aud enforcing the determ ina
ton that the Constitution shall be honored,
and the union OF the States shall be preserved.
EDWIN ID. MORGAN.
Albany, Jan. l, 1861.
THE PRESIDENTS REPLY TO SOUTH CAROLINA.
On Monday, after three O'Clock, the reply
was addressed to the Hons. Barnwell, Orr and
adams. aud delivered by the Presidents Sc
cretary.
The President approved the conduct of Maj.
Anderson, on the ground that be had tangi ole
evidence of the intention, on the part of the
South Carolinians, to seize and occupy FoIt
Sumter. Subsequently disclosures have salts
fisd those we'll Informed, that such was the
intention. Once in occupancy Of Sumter
Major Anderson would have been poweriess
and at the mercy of the Carolinians. No re-
Enforcement Of Fort Moultrie could have been
made efectual Tor the recovery of Fort Sum-
ter.
Major Anderson, being In command, took a
militia view, and anticipated the Sou tn Car
olinians by proceeding 10 the stronghold hey
coveted under the cover of the night. Upon
these considerations, the President also re-
fused TO in terfere for the withdrawal of the
United States forces, saying, This / cannot
do, and will not do.'
He also announced his firm determination
to collect the revenues, and that The property
now in the Occ upancy Of the troops of South
Carolina must be restored. The seizure Of the
United States Arsenal he deems high. handed
outrage.
THE EFFECT.
The Commissioners are hoYs dM combat at
the non. recognition of their title and office,
being addressed as distinguished gentlemen n
only. They had threatened to leave at once,
upon compliance with their requests,
but to-day they are silent, and busily engaged
In writing. During last night aud this morn
ing crowds Of Southern gentlemen have visit
ed their quarters. One Of them asserted that
the President had gone over to the Rspubli-
cans and deserted his friends. A consolidated
South and q consolidated North is now pre-
dicted.
THE ALLEGED COMPACT.
The President is reported to have said to.
day, in speaking of Gov. Fioyd's reasons for
resigning: The agreement was made between
the Secretary Of War, who had no right 10
make ii, and the leaders of the mob at Char
ton, who had no power 70 keepit."
II is understood that u en-. Scott will DO the
ruling spirit at the War Department, he and
Secretary Holt being on good terms, which is
more than can be said in respect to Gov. Floyd
or Jefferson Davis, with neither of whom the
Commander was on speaking terms.
"sUsPECrED :" NAVAL MOVEMENTS.
The Norfolk Day Book, Of yesterday, says
The brig Dolphin has been paid off and put
out of comm .ssion, but will not be dismantled
for some time to come, as her services may be
needed at almost any moment for special or
other service. In connection with the ''Brook- :
lyn' all manner of rumors are afioa' one of
which is to the effect that all her boats, with
mu fled oars, proceeded 70 the yard during
the storm aud darkness on Saturday night, an
removed all the arms frem the yard to the
ship for fear OF their being seized by the Sc.
cessionisIs here. Another says that her guard
has been temporarily sent TO the yard to pro-
tect the store-houses, which are said TO be
threatened with sacklng by the number of un-
employed men in the two communities. &c
We give them for what they are worth, vouch-
ing for nothing contained in thez1.
The Portsmouth Transcript, Of yesterday,
adds
A report is circulating here that the U. s.
steam frigate Brooklyn has orders to take in
stores at once for four months cruise. Ma.
dame Rumor has not disclosed the destina.
tiop, but, as ms tier Of course. every one says
Charleston. One thing is certain, steam was
soften up aboard of her this morning, and
she may 20 up to the yard before night.