Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-01-18

leans was marked in this city by parades Of
military and iremen, and the firing Of three
hundred Runs--one hundred on the order Of
the Secretary Of War.
Mr.. Thompson Of Mississippi to-day re-
signed the office Of Secretary of the Interior.
The President has the opportunity to admit
another Union man to the Cabinet.
"WEDNESDAY, Jan. 10.
Saving The Union.
The President, by message, casts upon
Congress the responsibility Of saving the
Union. The President has power already to
execute the laws and he certainly may do IL,
even to a greater extent than he has done it,
If extraordinary powers are wanted, he
should have indicated what; he indicated
nothing. The House does contemplate Civ
ing the Executive power TO meet exigencies
but il is doubtful whether the assent Of the
Senate can be had. But granting that Con-
gress can strengthen the Executive by all
necessary laws, still the Union savers say
that will be in vain. They demand consiitu-
tional amendments. Congress cannot, by two
thirds, agree to propose any amendments
What then The States can either call for a
Constitutional Convention, OF propose amend
ments. | am inclined to the opinion now
that the best thing to be done is to have the
States apply to Congress to call Convention
with authority to propose amendments to the
Constitution, or in case of disagreement, to
propose a division of the Union into two
confedcracies. In the meantime nothing is
practicable in Congress but to pass declara-
tory resolutions and such acts as may be
deemed advisable. Again say that the
South, with the Democracy, have the power
to do whatsoever they please in this way, in
spite Of the Republicans. They can take the
responsibility. On the other hand, the Re-
publieans can vote for declarations and acts
consistent with their principles, which ought
to be satisfactory to reasonable men every
where. They may do it, but do not be-
lieve that the South is reasonable. It will
not be satisfied, at present at least, with any
thing the Republicans can do. The call of a
constitutional Convention would give time
for the present fever to pass of-and that is
all it will amount to, in my opinion.
THURSDAY, Jan. 10.
H,rrah for anderson
The news to-day that the reinforcements
for Fort Sumpter were admitted by the South
Carolina authorities, in consequence of a mes
sage from MAJ Anderson, was received with
great JOY by the loyal, and unaffected dis
gust by at least portion Of the dsloyal.-
The purport Of Maj Andersons message is
not yet known, but it is supposed to have
been a warning that could not have been neg
lected without fight.
The correspondence between Ex-Secretary
Thompson and the President is oddly.
Thompson says he resigns because he was
not informed that reiniorcements were to be
sent to Anderson; the President says he did
know all about the purpose Of the Cabinet,
having been present when the question was
decided. Placed in this blunt way, it looks
as if somebody had been lying yet the let
tiers are so courteous that a city newspaper
announced the gratifying fact that the dis
tinguished writers parted on the best of terms
personally.
1t is whispered that high officials have
thought of aEresting Senators Toombs and
Wigfall for treason. Not a whit of truth in
it probably. If that course had been pursued
with sundry members Of the late Cabinet, it
would do to follow it up now. Toombs and
Wigiall are manful in their treason they
avow it. Bat speechnaking is not treason,
however strongly it may tend to treason.
FRIDAY, Jan. II.
Al Aback
The telegraphic news this morning, if true,
shows that Anderson is both plucky and pru-
dent, and South Carolina more plucky than
prudent. There is yet some doubt as to the
correctness Of the reports. Certain it is that
the Secretary Of the Navy declared in the
House, last evening, that be had received a
dispatch announcing the safe arrival of the
Star of the Yves; lin Charleston harbor" II
must be remembered that South Carolina con-
trolls the telegraphic lines within her borders /.
so we must wait awhile for the exact truth.
Since writing the above, ! learn that sew
eral messages have been received at the tele-
graph office. but Of a contradictory character.
7reasouaJls.
The fnteHigencer Of this morning contains
a communication from an ex-M. c. from the
South, charging that the secession Senators
from Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi,
Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas held meet
ing on Saturday night, and resolved "to as
sumo to themselves the political power of the
South" and telegraphed to the South to have
all arsenals, forts, custom-houses. &c. seized,
and the States secede, but ieaviHg their dele
cations 10 remain IN Congress. A Southern
Confederacy is the scheme, with Senator
Hunter for President, and Senator Davis for
Commander-in-C Chief.
SATURDAY, Jan. -.
More Secession.
Yesterday, Mr.. Thomas of Md seeded
from the Treasury Department, and the Pres
ident nominated, and the Senate confirmed,
John A. Dix of New York in his place. The
Cabinet is supposed now to be unit--no Sc
cessionists there. Alabama, Mississippi and
Florida seeded yesterday nobody surprised.
reckon upon nearly all the slave States be-
ing out by the 4th of March then South
ern Confederacy; and then an offer TO come
back If the North viii submit to slavery; u
the North does not submit before. As |
write, everybody is curious to know what