New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-11-30
FROM PHILADELPHIA.
Revolution in Pubiic Opinion-Our Hope
ia COngrcss-City Defcnses-Imrnense
Naval Activisy-Naling Eortunes-The
Underground Railroad.
Froln On OWn CorIesponaent.

From Our Own Correspondent.
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. q, 1861.
One of the wonders Of the day may be said TO be
the unanimity prevailing among all classes of thinkers
touching the imperative necessity OF the Government
or the Army proclaming general emancipation OF
the slaves, the shortest sharpest, and most Ell
fective means of crushing the Rebellion. This COM
munity was not ripe for such measure six months
ago; but it has been constantly gravitating in that
direction and is not only ready to accept it, but lie
beginning to demand it as the one thing neediuL
While the recent elections were pending there was
show Of restiveness against it, but It was mere
ly the old commonplace claptIap OF the party haeks
revived for the occasion, and now dead as door
nail. The public mind may be said TO be made up
on this question-Emancipstio must come-this
Government is not strong enough to maintain the
Union ard Slavery also. One or the other must 60
to tie wall. But how the latter ia to be sacrificed
for the preservation Of the former-who is to have
sufficient nerve and consistency to cut the knot-how
or when is to be donestil remains the great prob
lem The fear is that tire Cabinet has no definite policy
on the subject. We are scsndalized by every military
reclamation that is Issued. All, excepting Lane 3
in Missouri, and that of Fremont, are diluted down
TO the standard of the meanest dougface. Some are
meaner than Others, no two being alike Yet one
would think that if the Cabinet had any settled
policy on this subject different from that indicated by
these procamatons it would instruct its generals to
avow it. The inference is unavoidable that tho
latter proclaim only what they are instructed to an
n0unce. Il is this conviction that staggers our
credulity, destroys confidence, and weighs upon
our spirits with depressing beaviness. l write in
sorrow, no. in anger; but Of all the Cabinet Gen.
Cameron alone appears 10 be up to the mark de-
nauded by the popular impotence. His avowas
are winning him troops of friends, and converting to
his cause mutitudes who were formerly disposed TO
look upon him with codness, both classes beginning
TO regard him as the only Cabinet officer who realizes
the true bearing of the great emergency, or who
dares 10 grapple with j, harmony with the public
demand.
In this most unexpected predicament Of the Gov
eminent tagging far in the rear Of popular conviction
and urgency, we are looking 10 Congress TO apply
tie I medy thus unaccountably withheld. So far,
there is not nerve enough, outside Of Mi sour, to
take the responsibility. The people mean TO put
it on the shoulders Of Congress, trusting there
will DO nerve enough there. Petitions for eman-
cipation, with suitable compensation to loyal
gon aud as they are also in circulation throughout
the North, a loud demand will be made on Congress
to settle this question and forever. The hope is
that that body has been purged of its towards, its
douyLfaces and its traitors. Ii il turn a deaf ear 10
the demand to "let my people 60" then woe TO
those who do it, and TO the nation which refuses 10
obey call as diviney inspired as that which thun-
dercd in the ears of Pharaoh.
/ When Mr.. Seward issued bis famous circular to the
different Governors, recommending them 10 put their
several houses in order, lest an enemys feet should
suddenly appear in their barbors, he was severely
snubbed by Gov. Curtin for thus volunteering adj
vice without at the same time handing over the money
with which 10 fortfy our river. Some OF us thought
the Governors reply was somewhat unnecessarily
causc, seeing that philadelphia was really in de-
fenseess condition. But while the Governor seemed
careless of the matter our citizens and public bodies
have been directly the reyerse and are doing what
they TO get up come show Of defenses on the Del
aware. II is quite certain that an enemys feet Of
steamers could run up TO this city, 100 miles from the
ocean, without meeting any obstruction worth mara
ing. The enemy would then be in the immediate
heart OF the country, with railroad communication
into every section, over which universal panic
would instantly prevail. Once here, he could levy
horrible contributions on our banks and people, IA
the price Of not burning us out. Gov. Curtin over
looked these weghty considerations for the sake Of
good bit al tie Secretary he must have his joke cost
what il would But our Board of Trade has Just
resolved that as our deienses wholly inadequate
If the Government refuses TO create them for us, we
must do it ourselves What Fort Of neutrality it lie
Il i Il. al..l oil
know within the next fortnight. Though thinking
people apprehend no difficulty, yet common sense
dictates that such a community u this should not be
left 30 helplessly at the mercy of foreign forbear
ince as il now il.
The worbmen at our Havy-Ysrd are now working
on Sundays az well as week days, while gangs arc at
ii night and day. $500 are employed. have never
seen such hustle in that establishment. Ships eome
in aud are reGtted with incredible rapidity. New
ones are being launched and sent 70 frequently
as to attract but little notice, while The kees for
Others are Immediately laid in their places. Some OF
these are st-class vessels. There il heavy stock
of timber Oh hand, which has been seasoning for
years. The live oak has been used up, but Of prime
white oak there is enough yet on hand TO build u
small feet. Of shot, shell and improved cannon the
supply is enormous. Three Of the new gunboats are
receiving their Stores three schooners to be armed
with heavy moraIs, are being changed into war veg
sels two large steamers are recovingtheir gums W
Brooklyn has been overhauled on the Dry Dock aud
put in complete trim, and will be ready in three
weeks; two Of the new sloops-of-war are taking
their guns aboard, and third IL nearly ready for
launching. The wharves and river are crowded
with veseels. Others are being fitted ont at private