New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-01-12
THE PR0-SLlVERY REBELLION.
THE PERILs OF WASHINGTON.

THE PERlLS OF WAShLNOlON.
From Our SPECIAL Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 1861.
wrote you OF the 9TH inst. at length, stating
fully the perils which surround this capital.
What ] then said receives ample confirmation
with the lapse of time. Acts Of war for its de-
Tense march gradually and surely upon us, and
il looks now as though few weeks would bring
them here. Everything depends, as havo be-
fore said, upon the action Of Maryland, or her
presumed action. If that State goes with the
secessionists this city will be claimed by them,
and struggle be early initiated to obtain pos
session of it, The most pertinacious and persever-
ing efforts are being made to drive that State
into the gulf Of disunion. Resistance has been
made by the Governor in refusing to call the iegis-
lature together, 30 that popular convention
can bo called to consider the subject. Other
conservative interests have been hard at work for
the same object. Distinguished gentlemen have
by written and spoken appeals, in public and
private, tried to put q stop to the movement for
8 convention, which is looked upon, and is meant,
as a secession step. But it seems now without
avail. Regularly or irregalary, the convention
will be held. decided majority Of the members
of both branches of the Legislature have agreed
to call their several bodies together. When they
meet, or 90 many of them as may choose, may
meet, the convention will be ordered; and, If
things 90 in Maryland as they go almost every
where else. that convention will be q secession
convention. And if it be 80 there must come a
war to hold Washington. Such are the regular
logical steps of this revolutionary drama.
Now, as 1 have said, it behoves the Free States
to look this thing in the face. II is of no use to
disguise the fact that there is strong probsbili-
ty, amounting almost to q certainty, that they
must make up their minds TO surrender this zap
ital, or fight to preserve il. IL IS almost one
hundred miles within the slaseholding country.
A large slaveholding city of 100000 inhabitants
lies between it and the Free State line. 1t GER
tainly is not large enough to defend itself, how
ever well disposed. But it has no such purpose
or choice, except 40 far as it is Influenced TO be
on the winning side. Uncle Sam being considered
tho strongest party; the city is to-day nominaily
a Union city. 1t would become divided city,
were its capture by the slaveholding States TO
prove imminent. Its support and defense in an
attack is therefore mainly 10 be found in United
States troops. But combined military effort
would easily overpower all that could Do mus
tered from the feeble and fragmsntary national
forces within reach It's defense and preserva-
ton, therefore, in the long run, depend entirely
on volunteer force 10 be mustered and brought
into the field from the Free States.
Now the point Of this, as of my previous let
ter, is, that in view of existing circumstances,
the Free States ought TO move. They ought to
make military preparations. They ought to get
ready TO succOr and defend the National capital.
Tie National Executive cannot call upon the
States. Neither can the military department
They must 90 to Congress. But Congress IL
filed with reyolutionists, who are ready and
able, by obstructive measures, to protect their
own treason. If the States are to do anything,
therefore. they must do it of their own motion.
] throw out the general considerations nppli-
cable to the case, and every man can weigh
them, each for himself. The facts are simple,
and the reasoning simple. Everybody can under
stand them, and ought TO be chile 10 Judge OF
their force. All ought to remember tlat evonts
are rapid in revolutionary times, and that the
present movements Of the Slave States are being
made with the utmost celebrity, in order 10 give
no time for reaction, or opportunity for counter
action. In this turks great danger. Let the
Free States be as allow as the Slave States are
fast, and they will soen find themseyes alto
geiher behind time. J. y. p.