, 1861-01-16
CDlfaj9Ijo "a Gtlhutt&.
TEE PRIME DANGER,

We took occasion, shortly before the
assembling Of our Legislature, to refer to
the danger Of an. assault On Washington
city BY an armed force from the Southern
States More recent events have confirmed
the views then presented, and it is shown
to be an almost suicidal policy on the part
Of the Northern States to: delay taking
action in the premises. Three or four
proainent and undeniable facts establish
this conclusion.
L The Federal Government is bound to
enforce the revenue laws nt oil hazords. It
is not,only required to do so by the terms
Of the Constitution, but it seems bound 10
do 20 By the common dictates Of duty md
patriotism. If the 'Fedeial fortresses all
fall into the hands Of the traitors, the duty
remains and the power remains neverthe-
less Forts cannot sail against block
ading squadron riding out of tho reach OF
"Columbiads," and the seeding States
have no naval force with which to break
blockade. This is one Of the facts. =
L. There is no such thing known to the
public law Of the world as a government
de Eacto, which has not full command Of
its OWE harbors, Moreover, q. blockade Of
Charleston, Savannah, Mobile, New Or
leans and Galveston would staryc the
traitors into submission in sixty dnys. 4
cry Of distress has already come up from
New Orleans, consequent upon a suspension
Of business and lack Of food among the
poorer classcs-and all without the first
movement toward closing the port by naval
force. Hence, the blockade must be bro
ken by an invasion and subjugation Of the
North, or it must be prevented by seizure
Of the seat Of Government, or the rebels
znust submit This dilemma is presented to
them, and this is another fact
III. The State Of Virginia has been
brought by her demagogues to the very
brink Of treason; aud the most prodig gious
efforts are being put forth to lead Mary
land in;o the same channel The heroic
Governor Of the latter State has resisted
the schemes Of the disunionists thus far,
and we believe will resist them to the end,
but it seems certain that m .jority Of the
Legislature will meet without his call, and
summon Convention, which, in turn,
will carry. the State into the maelstrom
initiated by South Carolina This is the
third fact
". When the Federal capital is thus
hemmed in by foreign enemies whose very
existence as foreign and hostile countries
depends upon sudden and decisive blow
atthe seat Of Government what will be the
next thing in order? We cannot say posi-.
lively that the thing will be done. We
cannot say with the certainty with which
an eclipse may be calculated, that Wash
ington City will be seized by pro-slayery
army before the 4th Of March, but we do
say that if the secession job were ours,
and we were, determined to carry it
through, we should strike at Washington
City as soon as the men and arms could be
found to make the blow efectual.
v The force in the District Of Colum-
bia devoted to the Union and the Constitu-
ton is entirely inadequate to its defense.
# every man there, including all the Fed
eral troops that can be mustered thither,
were resolved to die in defense of thelawsr
they could not hold the city against the
force which might be sent against them,
and which teiH b sent against them if the
treason leaders are in earnest This is
another most patent and palpable fact
Perhaps the Legislatures Of the North
crn States will choose to wait until the
damnable act is perpetrated 1tmay then
become task Of years to recover the van
tasc ground SO ignominiously lost. Of
course the nations Capital must be retaken,
whether from foreign or domestic foe,
whether one or twenty years be consumed
in the task. But there is just the differ
cnce betweena spasmodic rebellion and
prolonged civil war, in the policy Of hold
ing fast to the seat of government, and that
Of allowing 1t to fa1l an easy prey to the
traitors now conspiring against it.