Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-05-01
Qoltltal.
Correspondence Of the Detroit Free Pres
Latter from HonfyomPry

Since l have been here, in the capital of the
Confederate States, as you will readily believe, |
have been busy with novelty and observation. A |
brief description of the seat of government may
not be uninterestng to your readers, and for
their qualification will devote a few words to it, |
Montgomery is situated on the Alabama river,
about 450 miles above Mobile. 1t contains TO- !
600 inhabitants, and is withal of the most at
tractive and tasteful little cities that have ever
met with. The streets are broad and well kept, |
the walks are shaded with continuous foliage, |
and the buildings are all substantial, and, in
many instances, costly. There are some private |
residences that would decorate Fort street, and |
throw into the shade the finest efforts of your ar
chitects. Many of these cost from fifty to seven
| ty- FIVE thousand dollars. Between them all there
was much difficulty in deciding upon a residence |
for President Davis, but modest mansion was
finally selected at rental of 5000 per annum,
which he now occupies with his family. The |
characteristic feature of all these residences is |
the size of the grounds attached, popularity |
which is general throughout the city, and pro-
ductive of ample limits to the corporation, twice
is in dimensions equal to northern cities of which
the number of inhabitants
Here, If anywhere, the basis of Southern senti
ment should be expounded in its proper light !
and the opportunities are consequently favorable
for the requirement of correct information. My
route of travel has been through the States of
Il hentuckN, enneSSee, georgia ana ALABAMA,
and have of course taken pains to acquire a
knowledge of the popular current of opinion as
progressed The fragmentary knowledge thus
gained is to be sifted and averaged for given
result That result is OF course Union sentiment
and disuniOn sentiment, and when pace them
in the balance it is the easiest thing in the worlds
to tell which will kick the beam. In the two first
named States there is a strong Union sentiment
so strong that reasonable doubts may be enter
tanned whether they will 60 out of the compact of
the United States. The leaven of disunion is
there, however, and is doing its best to spread.
At Memphis, and through the western part of
! Tennessee. it has gained powerful hold, and
fire eating doctrines very prevalent. but in the
eastern portion of the State the people are very
much the other way. An intelligent planter with
| whom conversed gave his opinion that the State
could not be driven out of the Union. He said
that abolition sentiment was not to be thought Of
and that if an abolitionist dared to show his head
he would be hung without judge or jury, but that
the people intended to stay in the Union and
maintain their institutions. Kentucky is much
the same way; but when you once cross the line
Of the Confederate States you have plunged into
"A torrent which brooks oppositio1e To talk
of a Union or reconstruction in that locality is to
indulge in dreams and chimeras. The people are
; full of their independence, and completely
fired at the thought of coercion from Lincoln's
government. Troops are gathering by thousands,
and this city Is full OF uniforms en- route Tor Pen
sacola. \ company of Georgia volunteers came
in on the same train which brought me to the
CITY, and can safely say that | never saw such
enthasiasnl-neitherd did 1 ever see finer body
of intelligent young men gathered for military
purposes. A large portion of them are young
gentlemen of means and position, and the rest are
young men in the ordinary walks of life.
There are now at Pensacola, and on the road
thither between 5000 and 10 900 of these troops.
, Requisitions have been made for several thou
! sand more, in view OF hostile appearances at the
North l had a conversation with Governor
Moore, of this State, last evening, on this very
! subject He had just sent to the printer procla-
nation calling for 5000 volunteers, and was OK
{ pecting an immediate response from the people.
2 / asked him without ceremony his opinion re
specting the probabilities of an early collision,
arSber at Pensacola or elsewhere, and he replied
\ as frankly that the matter rested with the United
I States 60 fernment. The Confederate States, he
o said would not strike the first blow, but would
5 wait patiently for peaceful or warlike issue, as
e Mr.. Lincoln chose. Aggression would be consid-
2 cred equivalent to a blow, and would be resisted
). If the United States vessels undertake to re
inforce Sumter or Pickens, or to blockade any
Southern port. they will be resisted, the act would
0 be considered aggressive, and the fight will begin
!. He did not seem to be impressed with the prOba-
biIity of a general civil war, however but to an.
a ticipate rather fight two at the forts or al
o the mouth of the Mississippi, and a gradual sus
pension Of hostilitles thereafter.