Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-02-04
SECESSION TACTICS.

Every effort is being made BY The secession
lists to counteract the effect Of the Virginia
dispatch, forwarded 20 Charleston from this
city. They photographed to Richmond that
troops had been ordered to Fort Sumter
This is onl y one Of many specimens Of many
actions which, undoubtedly, are done with
some evil purpose in view.
Special Dispatches to the n Y Herald.
UNION FEELING IN ALABAMA.
The following extract Of letter from a
distinguished citizen of Alabama has Just been
received here:
ave are out of the Union, but it is not
according to the win Of the people Of the
State, if they were let alone but they are
deceived by their leaders
THE DANGER OF WASHINGTON.
In view Of the supposition that Virginia
will vote in Convention on the 4th inst, 70
go out of the Union, which would precipi-
tate action In Maryland, General Scott, backed
by several members of the Cabinet. is in ia
vor of making o more formidable demonstra-
ton to protect this city from attack, and
thinks the President ought to call upon the
States for volunteers. The President is Op-
posed to this policy, unless be has changed
his mind this af ernoon. The fact that he is
opposed to calling upon the States for troops
creates good deal of alarm in many quar-
ters for the safety of the city. It uay be
asked how the President can call for volun-
tiers when there is no law authorizing him
to do so? The answer is, that there is a bill
in the House giving him the power to call
upon the States, which will pass the moment
it is known the President will not veto It. It
is charged that the secessionists are doing
their utmost to prevent the President from
signing such bill.
Gen. SCOTS idea Of preserving the public
peace here and securing the inauguration Of
Mr. Lincoln, is to ;all upon the States and
secure at least sixty thousand troops. It re-
mains to be seen whether the President will
hear to General Scott and the members of his
Cabinet, or fhe secesslonists, who are doing
their utmost to break up the government.
The difficulty in regard to the reports about
taking this city by the secessionists is
divided into two distinct classes. They
are both misleading the people, one in
credulously or ignorantly, the other inten-
tionally. The former class are misled by the
AuEEuuANl VI NlE lhllrIf anu LUE DEGo5 OF
the country is sought and employed as
the most powerful engine to deceive the peo-
pie. All the leading presses of the eOun-
try to-day contain the announcements that
there is no cause for apprehending an attack
upon Washington, and men I@7e asserted
within twenty four hours, to my knowledge,
that there is not particle of evidence before
the select committee of the House to warrant
the belief that any conspiracy exists, OF that
any organization has been formed to aid in
destroying the unity of the States. In the
face of this extraordinary statement it is wen
known that the man Of all others who has
accumulated more information about the con-
spiracy against the capital when called as a
witness and asked by the committee to tell
what he knew, replied like a true man and
soldier as he is, "Gentlemen, I cannot answer
your questions without violating private con-
idencea and doing great injustice tO, the public
service" The committee then With2rew
their question.
The witness stands as near to General Scott
in this crisis, and has as much of his conf
dence, as any other gentleman in the army
Whatever be knows General Scott is aware
of and acts upon, but could not swear to him.
ielf
The subordinate officer was then called a.
a witness, and "private confidence" and 'Jus
tice to the public service forbid him open.
ing his mouth. Hence nothing ends its way
to the committees record, and it is forthwith
proclaimed to the country that no evidence
exists to show the existence Of a conspiracy
The injustice of such a conclusion is evident
The very fact that General Scott remarked
after leaving the committee-room, that if tbs
people of the District knew half as much a.
he about the attempt to take the capital, they
would not rest so quietly under the belle
that there is no danger, shows that be w4g
aware OF facts that be could not tell the com.
mittee upon his oath. Besides, it is consid.
cred among military men an outrage to cal
3 military chieftain like General Scott before
a little committee of Eve men elected as mere
politicians, and without reference to crisis
like this, and question him about his knowl
edge of the tactics OF the enemy. We shall
see what we shall see.