, 1861-01-10

surrender the power they had go long welded
without fierce struggle. Perhaps blood
would flow, and civil war ensue; but popular
rights nyuer gained triumph over tyranny
and aristocracy save at the point Of the bayo-
net. The tree of Liberty had to be often wa-
tered with blood. But he believed that the
friends Of the Union and the Constitution were
strong enough aud patriotic enough the pre-
serve both. The strength Of the slave power
for physical conflict had been greatly over
rated. The single State Of Pennsylvania could
keep in the field q larger army and for longer
time than the whole slave power. The Cotton
States were barely able to preserve their Own
domestic peace, aud could scarcely dare send
abroad q regiment Of men.
Various other gentlemen participated in the
discussion. Stanton OF Ohio, as usual, was for
backing down. Petit Of 1ndiana squinted in
the direction. Without taking q vote on any
Of the propositions, the caucus adjourned sine
de. Strict secrecy was enjoined on all the
members; but some how the proceedings all
leaked ont and hare been tclegraphed to the
New York papers.
Among other things done in caucus vas the
adoption Of resolution requiring the mem
Of each delegation to see that the abscntces
were recalled. Some twenty Republican
members are ont of the city, which places 1t
in the power of the disunionists to leave the
House without working quorum whenever
they please, on the attempted passage Of any
measure which they oppose. 1t is now known
to be part of tho programm Of the slayehold-
crs to defeat the passage Of the Army and Navy
appropriation bills, and any modification Of
the thrift designed to replenish the Treasury.
The plan is to embarrass Lincoln, by leaving
him without dollar at Ills command to carry
On the Government, when he assumes the
reins Of Administration. Cobb cleaned out
the Treasury, Floyd disarmcd the North and
supplied the truitors with abundance Of arms
ind munitions Of war. Aud now 1t remains
to cripple the army and navy 30 that they can
not strike blow for the preservation Of the
Union.
But am forgetting the third Of the Com
promise schemes. It is called the Rice-Sew.
ard proposition. Senator Rice offered reso-
luton in the Committee Of Thirteen for Con-
gross to pass an enabling act, organizing all
the Territories into two States, one below the
line Of 81 degrees, en- bracing New Mexico and
Arizona, und the aot..or Oh 11lo selna luiog ter
ritory, and admit them into the Union with
whaterer constitution, free or slave, the peo-
pie thereof might frame, with tue further
provision that new States might be fnlmel ont
Of any portion Of these two States, containing
c1,f3n nj att ~
Congress, On on area Of not less than G0,0o0
square miles. Seward moved as an amend
ment that Kansas should be Immediately nd
mitted, On her present application To this
the flrc-catcrs objected, and the Committee
failed to adopt the Compromise.
Tie superiority Of this project over either
of the others, or, indeed, any yet offered, is
manifest. 1st It requires no amendment Of
the Constitution. I'd. 1t removes the whole
territorial bone Of contention out of Congress.
3D. It does not Violate the principles OF the
Republican party as laid down in the Chicago
platform. 4th. It would settle the slavery
question, 60 far rs that can be done by any
Congressional action. 5th. All reasonable
men in the North would say TINT it was all the
concession tue free States can possibly make,
without violation of principle and surrender
ofrights. Tho chief objection to 1t Is that II
rekindles the fires Of the Kansas conflict In
the other Territories.
But, on the other hand, the slave holdcrs
are not likely to accept 1t, even though the
Republicans should consent to present it as .
peace offering, They demand IN unequiyocal
recognition of slavery in NIL territory, at least
south Of liked line, and changes Of the Con
stitution giving slaycry special and inadmissa
bic privileges. Hence all this compromise
patchwork is likely to come to nought.
We have reports from Charleston By travel
crs which indicate the existence Of much lis
tress there. The troops who have volunteered
| and presented themselves for service ar
camped in unhealthy locations, and, in conse
| qucnce Of rain, swamps and miasma, arc sui
| fering from disease. No vessels loading, nj
! business doing, women weeping, and me,
| overcome by sickness, and the city In tn
hands Of mob, is tho bulletin traveller
present Of the condition Of things at th
/ present time In Charleston. The Secession
Convention has adjourned, leaving matters i,
d deplorahle condition. The Postmasters still
hold on to their Offices. Col. Hugcr writes t
the Postmaster General that he considers hin,
self responsible to the United States for th
revenues Of his Office, aud that he will pa
over nll surplus on the order Of thu Feders
Government. After MI, tho nation Of Soutl
Carolina is unwilling to do without Uncl
Sans malls.
The following arc the conqucsts achieved b
South Carolina within the last ten daya:
lst. Castle Pinckney taken by storm.
I'd. Fort Mnultrie captured
4sh. Tho U. $. Custom House and lost onlce
9th. The q. 8. revenue cutter brig Aiken takc1
! 9Th. New forttdeations raised on Sullivan
Island and Johneon's Island
| eth. Major Anderson hesicCtd IN Fort Sumter.
sth One thousand negro slaves brought Int
service raising fortihcat 'ns to capture Msjor Al
sth The commander Of the slaycr Bonita take
violently from the custody OF the authority OF II
! United States.
To this VIC may add tho seizure Of the Un
ted States forts in Georgia, Alabama and FL
rida
Is thist.pcaceful, constitutional secession
Or Is 1t ARAED REBE1L1oS AND OPEN VA
AGAINST TIE UNITED srATEsf
The wind at the White House Is still bio,
ing from the North, and II 1t keeps on vi
soon increase to o gale Lively times ahea
The fire-eaters look depressed; their feathe
are badly draggled. CHICAGO.
Tho Bryan Hall meetinS-Hoyv it
Construed by the Democracy.
Editors Chicago Tribune:
have seen In your paper several 1ette
from gentlemen Of the Republican party ut
took part In the Union meeting Of Inst satu
day night, in which they construe, and in son
measure qualify the meaning of some OF Il
resolutions TINT were adopted On that occ
sion Ilcarn that other leading Republican
who were quito prominent Ii getting up II
, meeting, repudiate those resolutions, and d
. urging call for another meeting, to cxpre
their Opposltion to them
Under these circumstances, desire to say
} word In reference to the position Of myst
| and some other Democrats, with whose ries
am acquainted, who participated in Il
meeting
The resolutions, rs passed, contained e
/ pressions Objectionable to US, but VIC NC
willing to take them, because they appear,
on the whole to favor the adjustment of Il
serious troubles which now threatenthe con,
| | try, by concession and compromise; becau,
they declared feelings of affection and pot
will towards our brethren of.the South a1
7 because they pledged their supporters to Il