Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-04-18

The Split IN AMERICA.---The last steamer from
New York left the States the of eventfu day.
In twenty-tour hours the President of the North
ern Union would succeed to the chief magstracv of the
Republic at Washington. No more critical time has
ever been recorded n the history of any nation The
Southern federation making strenuous preparations
for war; and the fiery spirits from all parts Of the Cotton
States were Hooking to the seaports in expectation of
fight Maj Anderson expected to be attacked in Fort
Sumter Immediately after the Inauguration of the Pres
dent. At Mobile and New Orleans much agitation
prevailed from the report that the Washington Govern
ment was about to enforce the collection of the customs
All over the continent rumors of plots and conspracies
were abroad Now it plan of the Virginiaps
and Marylanders to seize Washington now it was a
band of desperados from the Confederate States who
were to assassnate President Lincoln on the steps of
the Capitol Whatever may be the folly of the alarm
or the absurdy of the reports it cannot be question
that the excitement was general and that every one
looked with ceaseess anxiety to the first acts of the in
coming President.
But strange to say, the President has as net given no
slgns of has future policy In this coutrY sce are not
accustomed to such reeence. An English Prime MINIS
ter obliged to declare has inentaOnS like ann other
man. On the hustngs of some little borough before an
audience OF rough country fellows or at meeting OF his
supporters In his own dining ROOM he declared openly
what are bis opinions, and how he will apply them in
the government of the country The institution of the
United States though Democratic do not demand this
publicity In many things the President is an elected
despot tor four years When once chosen he NAV at
least leave undone what be ease and no one can force
him to move In legislation only he be controlled
the executive is left entirely in his hands, So now,
though Mr.. Lincoln was just about to enter the White
House and assume the charge of the truncated Union
no one could really penetrate his counsels Men could
only Judge OF his future acts by the Ministers whom he
had appointed and the construction of bis Cabi-
net was more suited to raise than to satisfy curiosity
In Mr. Se'card the President has chosen a man ahon
me conclusions OF the country haze terrified into oder-
ot'on. lie has been overcome by the complete fulfill
ment of bis own prophecy He spoke of the repressibe
conflict between North and South which was to take
place, and it has come not in his chldrens time not
in his own old age but within few months of the pre-
dicon being uttered. Hence Mr.. Seward is now sup
posed to represent the party of concession He has made
speeches conciliatory, crngng towards the South
that the Republican party have denounced him as
political coward and time-server. To oppose him
there il, however, more than one member of Mr. Lin
coins Cabinet and it cannot be doubted that the opn-
ions of the Aboltionsts will be fully represented in the
new government.
Which party is to prevail must depend on the per-
sona Judgement of the politician who has been raised
to the highest position in the republic.
/ London Times March IA.