New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-01-23

an attack on Fort Sumter. But still, the delay
Occasioned by the so-caIed negotiations, at
Washington, is made use of by the Government
here to reinforce its military positions, and to
insure the success of an attack upon the Federal
forces.
Another week of peace will, it is thought,
bring to an end the labor Of the formation OF
the new Southern Confederation; and il is said
on good authority that Montgomery, Ala, VIII
baye the honor of receiving during the first
week of February, the representatives. OF the
Secession States.
The Legislature continues to pass its time in
busting discussions in regard to the new taxes.
The POOR vendors of witches jewelry, and car
riages. are awakened from the dullness Of the
season by the fear of their business being rem
dered still worse by taxation.
The city is quiet, but preparations are max
ing for firing salute in honor Of the Secession
victory in Georgia.
There ia much speculation here as To the ca
pacity in which Mr.. Gourdin accompanied At
torney General Hayne to Washington. Mr..
Gourdn is personal friend and very intimate
friend of Maj. Anderson, though he has been
very prominent in the Secession movement Mrs.
Anderson spent the night on her arrival in
Charleston from New.York at Mr.. Gourdin's
house before going to her husband in Fort Sam
ter Probably he went to Washington merely to
use his influence with the President to withdraw
the garrison from Fort Sumter. His friendship
for Mai. Anderson would be On additional motive
to this attempt; for IN case Of IN attack there
is reason TO fear for the lives of the brave Ma
jor and his companions in arms, al of whom
are popular here except Capt. Doubleday. Fur
Their than this, / attach no importance to this
personal gossip.
The question now is Hamlet's question, $40
- be or not to be-" To be independent is TO
expel the Federal forces from Fort Sumter, and
not to be independent is to allow them 10 re-
main there. There you have the whole question
in nut. shell.
was very much pleased at the address III the
clergy Of the North to the clergy Of the South in
favor of pacifcation. Loyalty 10 the Church IN
the South is particularly ardent in South Car
DINA. even more so than in England among the
high tories before the time Of Cromwell. The
ladies here, as everywhere el-e, thronS the
churches and the charitable institutions connected
with the Church; but here the men, particularly
those Of the first families, are attached TO the
Church Of their ancestors far more than in the
North; and if there is cord which can be
touched, it is the religious cord, provided Tat
the petitioner belongs TO the Protestant Episcopal
Church or TO other denominations recognized ss
Orthodox.
p. So p. m.-The secession Of Georgia, ]
find, is regarded as a proof of the possibility OF u
peaceabe separation from the North. II is sad
even that Maj Anderson himself is becoming
affected by the progress Of Secessisnism aud that
be will end the matter by eyacuating the Fort of
his own accord But do not believe that II il
probable that he will even for moment disobey
bis Instructions.
The Provisional Government OF the seeding
States will be established, as I have said, during
the frst days Of February. The Convention will
probably assemble ut Montgomery, Alabaua.
The most popular candidate here for the Presi.
dency Of this Provisional Government, IL Jcferson
Davis. and il is believed that the proportion
originated by Calhoun, and renewed recently by
Hunter Of Virginia, Of n dual executive, VII be
realized, with Davis for the South and Lincoln
for the North.
p. S.-S p. m.-Tbere is now Il general
rumor afoat that an attack will be made on
Fort Sumter tomorrow or Monday. There are
many people who think that the storming viii
not be so easy matter after all. There has
been but little experience here in the storming
Of forts but it is probable that this lack OF
experience viii lead to q rash attempt The
news from Georgia has, after oil, whetted the
spirit Of war and the thirst for revenge for the
insult to the national honor shown by the hostile
presence Of the Federal forces at Fort Sumter.