New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-01-14
THE NAVY APPROPRIATION BILL.
EXCITED DEBATE vPoa n IN me aovss.
AT FORT sUmrER. .
The Soldiers on Short Allowance.
THE GREAT CONTEST IN VIRGINIA.

RICHMOND Va, Jan. II, 1861.
The SecessOpists, in both branches OF tho Leg
isature, are putting forth their utmost strength
TO precipitate disunion and secure the withdraw
al Of this State OF the earliest possible moment
To attain the accomplishment of their unbeiy
purpose, they indicate disposition to rigidy GA
force the gag law, and by resorting 10 every
parliamentary expedient in their power 10 stias
debate and seal the mouths Of those whe while
as keenly alive to the honor and dignity Of The
State aud the rights and immunites Of tbe South,
have yet some spark Of patriotism and some rev
erence for the Union founded by their fathers.
The precipitationsts have in them cool-hepded.
sagacious men to contend with; men who are not
TO be deferred from tie performance Of whst
they feel and believe to be their duty to tieir
State snd TO the country, by the buster and de-
nunciation of the opposite side, Dor frightened ID
hssty and undgniGed action BY the repeated cry
Of wolf" The debate which sprung up yester-
DAY on the amendment proposed by DIR. Watts
Of Portsmouth, to the first section of the bill pre-
viding for the calling Of Convention gave ana
pie evidence of the motives and intentions Il
the 6re-eating portion Of the House. The pro-
posed amendment provides that the action of tina
Convention shall DO submitted 10 tie people fer
ratification, As this would unquestonsbly defeat
the object Of the seccssionists it was at oace !
yehemen;ly assailed and bitterly denounced. The
debate lasted during the session, when the body !,
adjourned without action. There is no doubt
that the amendment will BIO adopted, and the \
people allowed an opportunity Of exerciaing their
sovereign power. The speci0us argument that O
Convention fresh from tie people is empowered
to act for the people, and 70 act finally, might =,
under other circumstances, have the desired
weight; but as it is plainly the intention Of the
seceders to force the State out Of the Union be-
fore the 18th Of March through the agency of
packed Convention, regardless Of the opinions aud
wshes Of the people, all their reasoning viii fsil
to the ground, and the end will witness their de-
feat aud humiliation. What holiday pastims b 4
pull down noble structure; what pain and tod
and treasure to rear it. Happily, Gre-eating
does not rule the hour in Virginia.
Great excitement was created here BY the ne
ception Of the telegram announcing that chs
steamer Star of tho West had been fired into by
the military Of South Carolina, whils entering
the harbor Of Charleston in the peaceful pursuit
of her regular business of transportation. Crowds
Of citizens collected around the bulletin boards,
eager 70 assure themselves Of the reality Of tbs
astounding and amentabls fact, and up to the
time of writing this there is no dimiBution Of
anxiety and excitement. Among the citizens &c
large, / have heard q variety Of opinions OK
pressed, and much conflicting sentiment. The
feeling generally, however, seems TO be in oou-
demnation OF South Carolina, depioring her pro-
cipitancy--howeyer just she may regard hsr
cause-which must hurry events to en- unforta-
nate communication, perhaps involving the country
in civil war, desolating as fair a land and break.
ing down az admirable government as the suA
ever smiled upon or the wisdom of man devised.
The act was, OF course, a declaration Of war on
the part OF South Carolina, fastened, beyond .
doubt By the snti-coercion resolutions passed by
the Legislature Of this State On Monday last,
That those resolutions did not express the SCENTS.
rnent Of q majority OF that body, interpreted a.
they have been, you viii have ample evidence h
few days. On the strength of their implied
assurance OF protection and countenance Alaba- d
ma will soon be numbered among the seeding
States. What the yaciuAing old man at Wssh-,
inston will now do, 10 one OF tho absorbing qaes-
tons. IL Is the opinion here that hs sent tie
Brooklyn to intercept the Star OF the West, and
bring back the troops on board.
How it is with the North do NOT know. but
here the reputation Of Major Anderson has gone
down. down, down. fort Sumter did not NJ
spond.' What had become OF the spirit in which
be uttered the menace that ii the steamer VIVA
nodded with he would open FIRE Has tho de-
FAINT attitude Of South Carolina frightened al tho
officers OF the United States Government, or arc
they unconscious thai they have sworn daty b.
perform up
; The Commissioners from Alabama, who haSo
been in This city some time, have not addressed
the Legislature yet bat are expected to do 90 in
day or two. Meanwhile, they ara entertsiasal
in the liyeiest and most hospitabls manner e.
tie expense Of the State. What it costs 10 Toast
these Secession EmbassadoTs "a showa ia glaxine