Daily national Democrat., 1861-02-22


THE SEIZURE OF THE STEAMER MARION
Captain Whiting, commander of the steamer
Marion, which was seized bv the Governor
of South Carolina, has arrived in New y ork
He says that shortly after the announcement
of the firing into the Star of the West, on
| Wednesday last, and while lying at the dock
| in Charleston, number of men came on
board, among them some members of the
Governors staff and made requisition for
the steamer, showing him a letter from the
Charleston stockholders, agreeing to the
transfer. The party gave ample assurance
that the owners should not suffer, and stated
that they wanted her TO 90 in search of the
Star OF the West, expressing the intention to
sink her. Protesting against the transfer,
and declining the proliered command of the
vessel, he delivered her up and returned to
New York But the Governor, repenting
the seizure, or having no use for the proper
ty thus obtained returned the property to
its owners, and she is now on her way to
New York Captain Whiting makes the
following statement in regard to the condi-
ton of affairs in Charleston.
He says, in speaking of the state Of feel
ing in Charleston, that the better class of
people, SO far as he could learn from person
al observation and inquiry, were decidedly
opposed to the present movement on the part
of those in authority, and that all those who
can leave Charleston were doing so from fear,
and hundreds would leave if they had means,
or were situated in other respects so that
they could. The city, he says, is in the
hands of an excited mob, which all fear
All kinds of business is suspended and the
I,nln .i4 Of Io, 1
and excitement. On his way home through
the Southern States, he said he was aston
shed to find such strong feeling of disap-
probation of South Carolina. All through
North Carolina and Virginia. in the cars and
at the depots, people were loud in denoun-
cling the precipitancy of South Carolina.
A DISPATCH in the Union, dated Washing
ton. February %, says:
Mr.. Slidell sent to be read by the Clerk
the ordinance Of secession passed by Lousi-
ana. lie said the document Just read places
on official record that Louisiana ceased to be
a component part of the United States, and
terminates the connection of himself and col
league with this body. The occasion calls
for some words in parting with those whom
we leave, some of whom we hope to meet
again in the noble task of constituting Il new
Conlederacy. The new Coniederacy would
not attempt 10 improve the Constitution Of
the United States. 1t would recognize obl.-
cations Of all existing treaties, those respect
ing the African slave trade included. 1t will
be willing to assume vast proportion of the
public debt, and account for all the property
of the United States which they were COM
pellel to take for sclf-iefense They would
recognize the right Of the inhabitants of the
valley of the Mississippi to the free naviga-
ton of the Mississippi without tax or toll Of
any kind. They hoped for peace, but the
decision of the question depends on the free
States. He had no doubt if the Issue was
fairly presented to the people of the States
they might have peaceful separation with a
probability of complete or partial recon-
struction; but with the present representa-
ton il either branch of Congress he could in
dulge in no such hope, and they must be pre-
pared to resist coercion under any pret,X
The North might, if it chose, consider them
bound to the Union, and deny the right, he
would not say Of secession, but revolution OF
rebellion, if it chose to call it so. 1t might
ignore the Declaration of Independence and
attempt to reduce the South to subiection
1t might declare blockade, but the Soml
would meet them and permit no ointroductior
of commerce or manufactures from the North
and would meet them on the sea under the
old flag, for they did not intend to give W
the flag. 1t belonged to the South as mucl
as the North. They could get vessels from
the same places that now carry on the slav,
trade, New York and New England. IL,
! referred TO a blockade of the ports, an,
thought that foreign nations would not adm
OF 1t, but the South would not commence
the fight, He denied the charge that th
movement was but tie consummatiUn of
long contemplated plot, and claimed it wa
the calm and deliberate action of the peo
pie. H. referred to the many lindnesses re
ceived in the Senate Chamber, and babe TIN
Sanatc farewell