New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-01-10
tie haste of Southern Governors to possess them.

tie haste OF Southern Governors TO possess tnem'
selves instantly of the forts of Georgia and Ala
bama. A like necessity exists for their prompt
seizure Of Washington, before the Federal Gov
ernment can thoroughly organize for It's defense.
The measures initiated by Gen. Scott for this
purpose, and perhaps the remonstrances OF the
Northern COntedcrates that such step would IN
the present stage of the movement be premature
and dangerous, may have induced pOstponement
of an attempt on the Capitol, until the Southern
Confederacy is organized, but there IS no reason
10 believe that this part OF the plot has been IN
any wise abandoned. Each day, however, adj
yises us of the rapid progress of the rebellion,
not in vague defamation and empty threats, but
in omen acts of treason. 1t il not an extravagant
apprehension that we may ere long hear OF
the advance of rebel army upon Washing
ton armed with rifles lilchod from our own
arsenals. led by officers whose names are yet
enrolled upon our army list, and abetted by SEN
afors and Representatives who still sit in the
halls of Congress, with the meanness character
istic of periured traitors, seeking to dishonor
their country's flag, and to overthrow the Con-
stilution they have sworn solemy to support.
And this is the moment selected by Congress
and our State Legislature to discuss resolutions
of compromise and rival plans of conciliatlOn
Let it be- remembered that Washington IS not,
~ IL should be, free city, nor IN Free State,
surrounded by loyal and free people; but that
IL il in the midst of slave territory through
which the frenzy of rebellion is spreading like
wild.fre. and that large number of the MEM
bers of Congress are sympathizing with the plot.
1t may be said in reply, that, if such thing
were possible within u week the North would
pour down upon the South like and avalanche,
and drive the reyoutiOnists before them like the
sands of the desert before the simeon. But
even admitting that such should be the final re-
suits. it is clear that the Union of our fathers
would he gone, and the Republic of Washington
be at an end forever.
For. it must be remembered, the possession OF
the Capitol by Government claiming to repre-
sent nearly half the States would be held by
many to have converted rebellion into revolution;
many officers Of the Army and Navy would
recognize IFS authority, and the revolutionlsts
would have active sympathizers and supporters
in most Of the Northern cities, and In more than
one Northern Legislature. The action of the
Governors If the Northern States might be ham
pcred by unavoidable delays in arranging con-
cert Of action, and in organizing the militia for
active service; and the country being distracted,
the Army and Navy demoralized, the North might
be- strongly urged to hesitate between the alter
native of Welding 10 the concessions demanded
by the rebels, or Of entering upon war the
most unnatural and fratricdal that Chrstendom
has vet beheld and which would undoubtedly close
upon . shattered Union and divided people,
while the cause of Constitutional Freedom would
have lost more in a year than it had gained in a
century. What We seek in the struggle after main
tanning the Constitution and preserving the integ-
rity of our principles now confirmed by the verdict
of the people, is 10 avoid, If possible, the
shedding Of fraternal blood, for with the first
leo" nf beod may come civil war with all its
horrors. And tno ""! - prsvent boOdshcd in
this thing il 10 be 80 well prepared =. ---.-. -
erosion, that the rebels will feel that 10 at
tempt the aggression viii be- death. With n
strong force at Washington to protect the
Capitol aud Congress, and an army to defend
the Constitution and the Union and the sovereignty
of the people, under the order Of the President
and Gen. Scott treason now 80 rampant will
roar as gently as a sucking dove. If ever
the maxim was true, if you would have
"peace prepare for war It is true here
and now. II you would not invite aggression,
be ready TO rcpcl it. If YOU would not encour-
age treason, be prepared to crish it. We warn
tie country Of impeding danger. Aud we urge
uron Congress, the Executive aud the State
authorities, instant and effective action to protect
the country from civil war.