New-York daily tribune., 1861-05-12
Of The peril The usual incident. Of nocturnal

Men of various ages and degrees moved with
fed agitation. Mamma was very anxious to
know where the fire was, and whether
it was possible 10 get out Of the house without
jumping from the window. Sarah was ordered
to pack her trunk instantly; and Emily was en-.
joined TO dress as soon as she could. This, with
the general helpless hurry of panic and bewilder-
ment, filed out the first half hour after the
alarm. In the meantime, the promise of gen.
eral burning would have been considered too
hopeful by on insurance President Engines
were slow in coming, hOse-carts Jagged behind,
hooks and ladders, if anywhere, were where
they could not be had. The arrival of Col. Els
worth's ZOuaves only saved the mass of build
ings. With their presence, came life aud wen
directed labor. The imbecilty of the local hre
organization gave way before the heroic zeal OIL
!hese educated enemies Of fame and smoke.
As they heightened stout ladders by joining
and extending their peTsOIs--scaled walls
and surmOunted roof, with reck-
less daring, cheer after cheer went up
from the crowd which filed and blocked the
Avenue. Discipline in the ranks had learned
them to restrain their license, and under the or
ders Of Col. Ellsworth, there was no riot nor
disorder but everything was well directed and
promptly executed The safety of the property
is due TO his command; and complimentary
cup of coffee now being served to them, III the
large dining.rOOm Of the Messrs. Willard IS
recognition Of their valuable services. That TINS
fire was the work Of On incendiary, j think, no
one doubts. That there was completely on the
part of citizens would be too grave charge TO
be made, without some very positive evidence;
and yet, when / saw the entire want OF all sys-
TEN, and. what was now incredible to sojourner
here for the last ten days, the want OF water
| could not but feel that sometimes worse than
apathy might be behind all this.
The question, too, may be very properly
asked Why is it that the city is not under mar
tial law Here We are with 25,OOO soldiers IN
and about the limits many of them unaccus-
toned to tie rigid discipline of garrison and
camp, in population one-fourth OF whom are
rebels in their hearts, and would hail the sackng
of the city, if their own property was spared, by
the marauding banditti Of Jefferson Davis. Good
citizens do not object TO this, aud those who do
oppose il Justly incur the suspicion OF being dis
affected to the authorities. The Union" icel-
ine-!hat is the term tashionably used to express
sort Of hybrid lowering between secret treason
and superficial support of the laws.-is OF
tie same general average with the sentiment oi
Ike name in Maryland. II is vocal and vocier-
of Irf4
shouldered muskets, but querulous and gruln-
bling when the fubduing influence is removed.
IL il not 10 be trusted, unless with TIE
presence Of an Oyorawing force. We
have enough of Ais where il cannot be
reached, and must, 10 some extent, be coniided
in. but let there be no volunteer trust rePosed
where watching and suspicion are much more
safely practiced, ii there are Mayors in Wash
ingtoD, or in any other city, whore hearts are
with the enemies OF The Government their bands
should be mode harmless by the substitution of a
salutary, if despotic power. The situation OF
WasLinpton is not without immediate danger
from movements organized in Virginia and sup
ported BY other States. Against such threaten
jngs IT can be defended, but here within it's
municipality there should be no toleIation Of
secret perbdy.
The mancuyerng Of the hsurgent detached
bodies is highly strategica, or else somewhat
purposeesF. Two days ago q body, said to have
consisted of 4 thousand men, left Alexandria,
but returned yesterday. The NlrglLians IN arms
at Harper's Ferry have also moved to some other
po,ilion. The usual sources OF information be
iug interrupted, we have only rumors, sometimes
rational and worthy Of credence, but oiteter
vague and not worth listening TO. The War
Department have a full appreciation Of the i'm
portancc Of possessing Iiarperf Ferry. 1t is
Key positiou, connecting or closing out the direct
communication with the West aud Northwest.
lie natural capabilities for defense are unequacd.
Two thousand trained troops, with artillery,
could hold It with a Spartan tcnaciiy. Ii you
are classical, compare it to ThcrmoPys', or run
Il down through all the historical strongholds, to
Quebec and 1.conlerOga. Beyond that the whole
line of the Baltimore aud Ohio Railroad, from
Cheat River to the Ohio is scanned with deep
rayines. and erooyed out with precpitous eoyges,
where part an rifles could pick oil soldiers By
files. The patriotism OF Western Virginia would
cooperate with tie President in keeping clear the
communication beyond, but while this gateway
10 the vide domain Of the West is held by hos
tile command, the loyalty Of the Virginia oi the
mountains must be seli-sustainiug, and our con
nection with the basin Of the Mississippi re-
main broken or kept up through indirect routes
of travel and transit.
In speaking Of tue complexion Of our population