The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-04

Progress of Sece ssiOn.
The news from the South continues to be
more and more alarming every hour. We
publish telegraphc despatch from Washing
ton, of whose truth there can be no doubt, that
| Mr.. Toombs had received message from Gov.
Brown, of Georgia, stating that he had ordered
Fort Pulaski and the United States Arsenal at
Savannah to be taken possession of by the
\ State militia, in order to prevent their occupa-
ton by the federal troops till after the meeting
Of the Georgia Secession Convention, which is
to take place on the 10th instant The Pres-
| dent has received message to the same effect,
and the news may, therefore, be regarded as
| reliable
! The reason assigned for this movement is
recent order Of the President, which has been
since revoked, that all the United States forts
| and arsenals in the South should be re-
inforced. 1t is possible, therefore, after ALL that
the news we published yesterday ofthe occupa-
ton of the federal forts in North Carolina
by the troops of that State, in obedience to the
order Of Governor Ellis, may be quite true, and
that the step may have been taken from the
| same motive as that which Influenced
| Governor Brown, or. perhaps from con-
| cert between the secessionists OF the cotton
| States. ..
A report had reached this city yesterday,
which we could not trace to any reliable
source, that the people of Florida had also
seized the United States forts in that State.
| Whether it will turn out to be true short time
will determine. But any news of revolutionary
occupation Of federal forts in the South may
henceforth be regarded as probable. The
Florida Secession Convention was held yester-
day, but as there is no Geographic communica-
ton with That State, there is of course no intel
ligenCe from there. There can be little doubt,
however that it will follow the example Of the
South Carolina Convention On Monday next
Alabama and Mississippi hold their convcn-
tons, and they, too, will vote themselves out
of the Union. On the same day the election
for the Louisiana Convention takes place, and
the Legislatures of Virginia and Tennessee
meet and next day will be held the cleo
ton for Conye nton in Texas. The following
is the calendar of the Southern movements for
January, from which the reader will see how
rapidly one act of olution is likely to follow
another at the South before the expiration of
the present month";
Jan Missouri, Legislature meets
Jan. 2-Georgia. election for Convention.
JAN 3-Florida, Convention.
Jan. 7-Virginia Legislature meets
Jan. Alabama, Convention.
Jan. mississippi, Convention
Jan. Louisiana. election for Convention,
Jan. Tennessee, Legislature meets.
Ian al for snny
Jan, IA Extra session Of aisbama Legisla-
ture.
Jan. Georgia, Convention.
Jan. l7-Kentucky. Legislature meets
Jan. 2i-Extra session Of Texas Legislature.
Jan. 23-Lousiana, Convention
Jan 2S-Texas, Convention.
This is a formidable programme, and in view
of the revolutionary news from the strong
State Of Georgia, and the intelligence which
we publish from Charleston OF preparations to
capture Fort Sumter, and the conspiracy in
Virginia and Maryland to seize upon Washing
ton, it must be admitted that the country is
hurried on with fearful speed to the abyss OF
civil war.
Yet, in the face of this danger amidst the
smoke of the volcano and the murmurs Of the
approaching eruption-Congress is sitting on
the very edge OF the crater. apparently with as
little concern a person would exhibit at the
explosion of a few irecraokcrs in the
streets. A last appeal is now made by
Mr. Crittenden to the Senate to send his
propositions directly to the people. to be voted
upon without being adopted by Congress.
Nothing can be fairer than this. 1t does not
commit any member. but leaves The. whole
question to the people. 1t leaves to their de-
cision whether they will prefer this COM
promise to revolution and civil war Gor
such is the alternatiye); and surely before
the people are dragged into the deadly fcud
the least that is due to them is to consult their
wishes through the ballot box. In connection
with this subject We refer with much pleasure
TO an address 10 the people signed by John
Cochrane and other members of Congress, urg-
ing them to give immediate expression TO their
will on Mr.. Crittendens proposition to extend
the Missouri compromise line to the Pacific. As
the New York, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts,
Legislatures are now in session. they ought to
call conventions Immediately If they did the
New Jersey Legislature, which meets on
Tuesday, would probably follow their eN-
ample.
If Congress were only true to the country at
this critical moment they would send the
question Instantly TO the people, and before
the expiration of this month the decision Of
every State could be obtained, and the horri-
BILE calamity with which We are threatened
might be ayerted. But, Judging from their
action since the session commenced. and seeing
that all that they have done tends directly TO
the disruption OF the Union and OWL war, we
have no hope that these men, TO whose hands
the destinies of the country are committed
will even at the eleventh hour. adopt
the proposition OF submitting the Crit
tenden compromise TO the people. We
are persuaded If the country had only an op-
portuni,y Of pronouncing on the question, it