The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-05-07
MIR. RUssEL1,s SECOND LETTER.

the southern States have gone from the Union
it not for ever, at least for such time will secure
for their Government an absolute independence til
1t be terminated by war, or, if their opponents bt
right, by the certain processes of internal decay
arising from Inherent vices in their system, faulty
organization, and want of population vigor ane
wealth. That the causes which have led to theiI
secession now agitate the Border States most pow.
erfuIly with a tendency to follow them is not to be
denied by those who watch the course of events
and as these powerful neutras oscil!ate to and fro
| under the pressure of contending parties and pas
| siOns, the Government at Washington and the au-
thorities of the revolving States regard every mo-
tion with anxiety-the former fearful lest by word
or deed they may repel them for ever; the latter
more disposed by active demonstrations to deter
mine the ultimate decision in their own favor, and
to attach them permanently to the Slave States bv
resolute declarations of principle. = i
| The influence of England and of France on the
destines of the Republic is greater than auy Amer
lean patriot would like to admit 1t must not be
expected therefore that there will be any proof of
excessive anxiety afforded by the leaders of either
party In reference to the which may be taken
by the European Governments in tn present crisis
but it is not the less to be apprehended that i'm
mediate recognition of the cOnfederated independ-
ence of the South, OF the doctrine of absolute in
dlvidual sovereignty on the part Of those States,
may precipitate the hostile action which in the
event of absolute final separation, seems to be in
evitable. To the North it would be heavy blow
and great encouragement, the consequences of
which could only be averted by some very violent
| reueules separation without war is scarcely to
| be expected. Il ! x
! Without the means of enforcing an authority
which many et its adherents, and most of the
neutral parties, denied to it, Mr.. Lincoln's Admin
istraion finds itself called upon to PROFOUND pol
| icy and to proceed to vigorous action. The de-
mand is scarcely reasonable. The policy of such
men suddenly lifted to the head of affairs, which
they cannot attempt to guide, must be to wait and
watch, and their action must be simply tentative
as they have no power to put forth, with moderate
eope OF success, any aggressive force.
Be satisfied of this-the United States Govern
ment Will give up no power or possession which it
has at present got. BY its voluntary act it will
surrender nothing whatever. No matter what re-
ports may appear in the papers, or in letters dis
| trust them if they would lead YOU to believe that
Mr. Lincoln IS preparing either to abandon what
he has now, or to recover that which he has not.
The United States Government is in an attitude
ot protest; it cannot strike offensive blow. But
If any attack is. made upon it, the Government
hopes that 1t will be strengthened by the ndigna-
tion of the North and West to such an extent that
it can not only repel the aggression but possibly
give stimulus to great reaction in its favor.
On these principles Fort Sumter and Fort Pick
ems are held They claimed as federal fortress
es. The Stars and Stripes still float over them
Whatever may be said to the contrary they will
remain there till they removed by the action of
the Confederated States. The Commissioners of
Mr.. Jefferson Daviss government "have reason to
say that If any attempt be made to throw reinforce
ments into Fort Pickens, unless they receive pre-
vous notice OF 1t promised, it will be breach of
good faith" From all can learn, no intention of
strengthening the fort is at present entertained
but it may be doubted if the attempt would not be
made should any favorable opportunity of doing so
present itself. AL! ''the movements of troops" of
which you will see accounts, preparations
against-not fOr-aggression. Almost they amount
to the march of few companies and guns to vari-
Gus forts, now all but undefended. Fort Wash
ngton, of which | shall have few words to say
hereafter, till lately held bv a very inadequate
force. As a member of the Cabinet said to me, 81
IL IL
key" that potent artillery being applied to the
weak detences of the aged Irish artilleryman who
constituted ''the garrison"
The formidable military force concentrated in
Washington" of which you NAV read in the Amer
can journals, consists of about 700 of all arms,
far as | see, and four brass feld-guns. There
is good deal OF drumming, fling, marching, and
music going daily. | look on and see small
band in gay uniform small body of men in SOM
bre uniforms, varying from Is to 80, rank and fle
armed, however, with excellent rifles and a verv
large standard pass by and next day read that
such and such A company had parade and sat
tracted much admiration by their efficient and SOL
dlerly appearance and the manner in which," &c.
But these military companies have no intention of
fighting for the Government Their sympathies are
quite determined
Formidable as they would be in skirmishing in
the open country, they would be of comparatively
little against regular troops at the outset of
the contest, they have never learned to act to-
gether, a1d do not aspire to form even battalOls.
but tnelr existence indicates the strong military
tendencies of the people, and the danger of doing
any ything that might turn them against the Gov
ernment. MIR. Lincoln has power to make war
against the South; the Congress alone could give it
to him; and that is not likely to be given, because
Congress will not be assembled before the usual
time unless under the pressure of an mperious
cessity. AZ
Whatever may be the result of all these diverse
actions, the Great Republic is gonel The shape of
the fragments is not yet determined any more than
their fate. They may re-unte, but the COHESION
6p peYA eY da ha n"n ms platforg "ftbfe We're TOO
many officers on board; perhaps the principles o
construction were erroneous; the rigid cast iron
old constitution guns burst violently when tried
with new proectiles, anyway, those who adhere
with most devotion to the vessel, admit that it is
parted right amidshps, and that its prestige has
vanished. The more desperate of these would
gladly see an enemy or go out of their way to find
one, in the hope of common bond of union being
discovered in a common animosity and danger.
The naval preparations, of which you will hear
a good deal, intended to make good existing
deficiencies and to meet contingencies. At any
other time the action of Spain in St. Domingo
would create cry for war. Now all the Federal
Government can do is to demand and receive expla-
nations. In reply to Mr. Stewards inquiries, the
Spanish Minister has possibly stated that the recent
events in St. Domingo have been caused by the
acts and threats of Hayti, which forced the DOmin-
leans to call in the aid and claim the protection of
Spain.
There have been several attempts from time to
L
its former possession, and is not unlikely that an
excellent understanding exists between the Court
OF Madrid and the Emperor Napoleon in reference
to the subject. The report that the Mexicans have
made, or contemplate making, attack on Texas,
is scarcely worthy of credence.
As to the Morrill, tariff, | can only repeat what
have already said. 1t must be borne till results
show that it cannot be persisted in Then only will
it be repealed modified. The theory of the Gov
is that the United States always takes far
more from Europe than it can pay for. :" If the
revenue is collected there is ground for COM
plant. The English and French manufacturer will
be satisfied as well as the Northern population. If
the is collected, then the tariff must be
repealed, and that will be done within the if
the mischief is serous' Birmingham, Wolver-
hampton and Manchester must make the best they
can out of the doctrine.
HOUSE STRUCK BY LlGHTNING-HarrelIous Escape
of the Inmaes.-The first thunder storm of the sea-
midnight the lightning struck a dwelling-house at
Forrestdale, near Slatersville, occupied by the
families of Dantorth CroSsman and A. Butts, the
members of which were all in bed. Nearly the en-
tire north side of the house torn off By the
subtle element, while it played strange pranks
within doors. The bed which two persons lay
toa8 rnored across the and ats casters melted!
A bureau was smashed to pieces and portion
thrown upon the bed. Bed clothes and clothing
were rent in twain, yet strange to say no person
was seriously injured. A child somewhat
stunned. One of the ladies, in speaking of the
event. said her first thought after the thunder clap
was, "Jef. Daris has Gomez WoonSocket r. L)
Patriot.
PRANKs OF THE New InRK ZoUAvEs.-Tha New
York Zouaves Yesterday seemed to be making up