Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-04-18


ing definite concerning the proceedings Of the
Virginia Convention, merely informing us that
up to p. m. yesterday no ordinance of secession
had been passed. On Tuesday morning they
went into secret session without debate and since
have carefully kept their doors closed The Rich
mond ExanIinsT Of Tuesday Intimates that the
eastern Virginia members were for the enactment
Of secession ordinance with great unanimity,
and that 1t was understood that sufficient Of the
western members had gone over to that position
to give the secessionists clear majority.
We fear. alas, that this Is too true; and that the
Convention is now engaged in perfecting such
measures will as far possible strengthen the
position Of the State, seeded and in hostile ar
ray toward the Government CT the United States
II this impression should unfortunately turn out
to be corset, we can see no other conceivable re-
suit Of Virginia's action whatever, than that the
bloodisst civil war known to modern times will
speedily follow, to be stopped eventually only by
the interPosition of England, France and perhaps
other powerful Europeon nations which will send
combined fleets TO our waters
How much we deplore this state Of thIngs-the
passage of our national troubles beyond the reach
OF pre- sent pacifcaion by negotiation through the
course pursued by Virginia We cannot express
and frankly confess that il distresses us person.
ally, a. that we are unable to write more to-day
Lafssf.-As we go TO press we have to say that
10 Is said, and confidently believed by many
around Us, that on the day before Yesterday the
Virginia Convention passed secession ordinance
and yesterday caused three vessels to be sunk at the
mouth Of the Elizabeth river-the entrance to the
GosPort (NorfOlk) maynard. Further: that the
superintendent Of the Harper's Ferry armory has
by order of the Convention, hauled down the
stars and stripes, and hoisted instead the Virginia
State flag, and also caused the rails Of the Bati-
more and Ohio railroad to be torn up on both
sides leading out Of Herper's Ferry; and, further
still, that the Virginia Convention have directed
military efforts to take possession of this Capitol
to be made as soon possible; to which end three
special trains said to have left Alexandria for
Richmond last night.
This alleged news reaches us too late to enable
N to verify it. We publish 1t for what it NAV be
worth, that all in our city may be duly on their
guard.
We have to add that the Governments military
movements OF to-day seem to have been made
on the essum ption that this news is, possibly
true They are therefore fully prepared for the
present defence of the Federal Metropolis, against
any attacking force that may venture to assail it
IL Is thought that II an attempt to attack il be
made, the assaiants will try 10 cross the Potomac
s'ne twenty or thirty miles below Alexandria,
" ere they hope 10 be joined by similar spirits
from Maryland
S-We have special dispatch assuring us
that there lie no truth in the Harpers Ferry account
noticed above L. reached us but few moments
ego We have further dispatches equally as late,
assuring us Of the truth Of the Norfolk Navy Yard
portion Of 1t. A revenue cutter has been seized
and three vessels sunk by Gov. Letcher's orders
We no longer doubt the fact that the Virginia
N If
fore yesterday.
IL 10 now high time that the position of every
man in the District Of Columbia be positively
and distinctly ascertained. and that every man
capable OF bearing arms and willing to defend
bis home against threatened invasion should
promptly enrol himself
While we have no fear whatever that force
can possibly be brought against this city that can
stand before its present armed and organized de.
tenders, we should be ftithless TO our duty IL
falling thus to advise our feIlow-citizens imme-
diately to make assurance doubly sure by coming
forward as one man, each to do his part in Wash
tons defense, If need be.
We may add with positive certainty that Il is
utterly impossible that an assailing force sufa-
ciently strong 10 prove threatening, can make its
appearance in this vicinity ere there be at least
twenty thousand patriotic men In arms standing
In our midst ready to defend II
OUR OWN BsLIEF CERTAINLY Is THAT THE SIX
LOCOMOTIVES THAT LEFT ALEXANDRIA FOR Cor
poSsvIILK IL NOT FURTHER South, last night
were intended to carry secession troops back over
the Orange and Alexandria Railroad to the
Mansssa road, and up that to its present northern
terminus, from whence to be marched over
to Winchester, and there to take the Winchester
railroad direct for Harpers Ferry-to seize the
APmory, some time to-day