The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-04-21

riaD OF this eventful crisis. Our reports and
rumors of the last twenty-four hours from
Maryland and Virginia seem to indicate .
revolutionary frenzy in those two States which
nothing but an exhausting invasion can rene
dy. The destruction of railway bridges in
Maryland the general arming of Baltimore,
the detention of our Seventh regiment at
Philadelphia the prevailing fear Of the de-
scent OF an overwhelming secession mob upon
Washington, the planting Of secession batteries
alepg the Virginia side of the Potomac, are the
significant items of our Southern news budget
Of the last twenty-four hours.
Wedo not entertain any serious fears of the
safety Of Washington. General Scott is there,
with at least six thousand well appointed fight
ing men under his command. With this force
he can disperse secession mob Of any posi-
bic numbers; and the concentration of any
thing like an organized hostile military force
1T Washington for o week to oome, sufficient
10 cope with General Scott, we do not ina CINE
can be effected. With the city long bridge, a
mile and quarter long, and with two draws
IN his possession, no hostile force from Vir-
out boats; and at this season of the year, with
the short bridge across the rapids, three miles
above Georgetown, in his possession, no hostile
force, without boats, can cross the river for
sixty miles above Washington. In the next
place, with all the secresy of the Virginia Con
vention, and with all the suspected prepara-
lions Of Governor Wise and Major Ben McCul
loch, we consider it altogether improbable
hat they car have mustered and equipped an
army strong enough to venture across the
Potomac within striking distance of Gene
raj Scott. With three regiments which leave
his city to day, and with three or four others
which will doubtless arrive in Washington by
tomorrow evening, we believe that our capital
viii be safe for this week. and by Saturday we
hope and trust that our glorious old General
in-Chlef will have iuil twenty-five thousand
loyal soldiers under his eye.
So much for Washington. We rely upon
General Scott and his achievements against
all possibilities from the Virginia side of the
river, now or hereafter. AS for a secession
raid from Baltimore, we apprehend that the
available military resources of that city will be
needed at home. We are informed that the
secession epidemic RACES there, and generally
over Maryland; but with our Northern high
ways leading directly to Baltimore, Washing
on may be considered safe on the Maryland
side.
For the sake of Maryland we deplore the
manifestations before us of her disafection
She must resume her position Of loyalty to the
Union or she will suffer severely She is in
the most defenceless position, and tie most
open to attack Of any State Of the Union. Go
vernon Hicks appears to be giving way. Let
him stand firm, and he will soon be strong enough
to hold the helm without fear or trembling. We
appeal TO him and his people to consider their
position. For one hundred and fifty miles the
broad Chesapeake Bay divides the eastern
from the western shore of their State A feet
may ascend this bay to Annapolis and Balti-
more, and lay them in ashes. The long, north
ern frontier Of the State is completely ey-
posed. Thus, by land and water, If she places
herself in the attitude of rebellion, Maryland
may be overrun and subdued in single week,
Including the extinction Of slavery within her
borders; for war makes its own laws.
We attach very little Importance to the
reported planting Of secession batteries along
the Virginia shore Of the Potomac below Wash
ngton. Opposite Mount Vernon, sixteen miles
below the city, the river is commanded by
Fort Washington, in possession of an efficient
garrison Of the United States, and from that
point the stream, two miles in width, gradually
widens 70 its mouth, where IL il nearly ten
miles across In 1914 some batteries wers
raised along the Virginia shore to o.
pose the ascent Of the British feet; ut
few broadsjdes knocked them !, p. t,s.
the feet assembled to Alexandra, IT, O. rinr
their portfolios 20 as to rake IL r..Ac,pal
streets, reduced the place on q, y {, and
levied from 1t an immense amour tnbute,
in the shape of -four, pork, beet tobacco.
North of the Potomac, aie ruA ing parallel
with 1t, is another t->t) ,,i' river passing
through Harylanc, Cl.'' u, tatuxent As
cendipg this river In ten ships to q point
within fifty miles or 40 o. Washington, the
British army of General Ross (l3l4) landed
some twenty-five hundred men, and, ar.
irving at Bladensburg. five miles from
our federal capital, from their last
days march, in one Of tho hottest days Of
August, they crossed the dividing stream, and
after u very short fight completely routed and
dispersed Virginia and Maryland militia force
OF upwards Of seven thousand men. With this
slight detention, the enemy marched straight
upon Washington, and occupied it without fur.
Their interruption. We do not impeach the
bravery Of the men of Maryland and Virginia
Their Sight ia charged 10 General Winder and
TO general bad management We refer TO this
dizgraceful affair only to indicate another of
the numerous routes by which Maryland may
be overun and Washington occupied by our
Northern defenders, with their fleets and ar
mics, at the service Of General Scott, and his
good management
We are lees concerned about Wasb;nct on