Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-05-17
THE LONDON TIMES on THE WAR.

|
| Iron London Times Nay !, per Great Eastern 49,
Ipdieusten ~ sssnsk Fss< Sosssr seems to be
the prevailing foeDg throu ,hout tbs Northern Sntes
Mankind will always be moved by the sound OF ac-
,u warfare than by the violation Of rights the aban-
donmen. Of comp,ou The Southern States may have
torn the Constitution Of the Union 70 Gee but the pa
ence Of the North not worn out until shot and shell
had been poured into Federal Fortress and Fsder'l
officer had been led prisoner through the rebeoas city
of Charleston Now however, there can be doubt Of
the excitement all through The North. How long It m,y
last and whether it will survive calm examination Of
the coming campaign, other questions For the pres
ent there earnest desire in the Northern States to
ayenge the capture of Fort Sumter. The Presidents
appeal has been responded to in every quarter Tee
feeling in New York city strong at the departure
of the last steamer that the Herald, which has been
throughout these troubles practically Southern print,
forced TO turn completely round and applaud the pol
icy of the Government. Tue New England States and
those OF the West we're also said 10 be jealous In The
cause of the Union Troops bling mustered in the
leading towns and mad ready to march for the defence
of Washington it not for the invasion Of the Southern
States This outburst of loyalty may be attributed not
to to the restless character OF the people, Year az
tar wear the military ardor Of the Americans has been
expended on militia field days. on processons fourth Of
July demonstrations and other proceedings equally
SNOWY ard harmless But something more has been de-
manded by the hot blood OF the American youth. They
leaped into the with Mexico Us II 1t were relief
from an ntolerabe tedium 1t has required consider
able Judgment and forbcarance prevent collision with
Great Britain several senseess G putes. Now, now
ever there employment for every upquet spirit The
Southerners have within few hours come TO be looked
uoon as enamies against whom crusade Is merorions
Even in New York. which has been called with some
Justice Southern city, where the productions OF the
south are dealt in more than in the Southern cities
themselves where the slaverades are said to congre
gate and where the party of Mr. Lincoln was small and
weak few months back all traditions all Interests all
political feelings forgotten, and the whole community
demands that Justice should be done on the traitors oil
| the South
If wishes we're weapons the trumpet blast OF Northern
defiance could throw down the walls OF evSry Southern
fort then the campaigl would, doubt be short enough
But this enthusiasm OF the North only leads us 10 believe
that fierce and lasting struggle may possibly be begun
The States faithful Mr. Lincoln have now accepted tho
doctrine that secession is treason aud that the seeding
States may egiimatey be conquered and held by the
vicors But the intelligence which reaches US from the
South seems to show that the Confederate States are
equally determined maintaining their indepo ndence
! The ardor of New York, even Boston, cannot be
greater than that of New Orleans The Souiherners IN
ed may be expected 10 be even more rlsolute than
her opponents They know v,ry well that there is no"
between them aud the North gulf which time and quiet
NAV Gil I'D but which the shock of war will widen until
il impossible forever They know what the Northerners
s,em not sufficiently o0nsiderhat the recaptrrt oil the
Federal FORTS is nothing in ITSELF but merely symbolze'
the subsection Of the recusant States to the Government
| at Washington
One NAV well ask the Norther1ers what they intend
20 do when they have recapured Fort Sumter, and what
next aud next? The Southerners know full well that
the Central Government cannot be content with the re
tanning the Federal property ard that as long as they
the Secessionsts refuse 10 acknowledge President Lin
coin acts of hostility must take place between the two
sectons-the Southern ports must be bockaded and the
Southern States subject to the uroad OF Northern, and
even of Abolition bands Therefore, though we have
not such detailed accounts from the Confederate States
vet from what we are able publish to-day, 1t is easy
| 49, in no mi
eauaed by the zeal OF the SOutherners Indeed, as is
generally the case the walker party usy appears IN
greater strength than its opponents since knowledge oil
s inerioriy leads to Efforts and SACRIFICES which more
than make up for its hclences The Southerners show
certainly no signs Of watering and it will be chershing
a d,lusivc hope to imagine that either through fear OF
the Federal arms or from Difference TO the maj ory OF
their feOw.cyens the secederJ WI be inclined TO com
| promise. We fear that, should the North determine
| 90 eniore obedience, we must be prepared for COZ
| Acts of the most serious kind. Southern news
does no. reach US very regularly, or speed
| w. or accurately, but the present telegraph
| c despatches announce that Lncolns Procla
nation had been met by detan5e, 40 general as
the enthusiasm OF tue North. Something like levy III
mass may be expected among the population OF the
South who are easily made into soldiers ard who from
the skill with tn ria4, must always be Formidable an
tagonists President Davis who fought at the head OF
the Mississippi volunteers 10 Mexico, will probably take
the command. He was, believe, originally educated
for the army though he subsequently, abandoned the
military ciu for law and politics. Tue points at which
attacks might be made ~ the federal Governm mt we're
being srngly reinforced and The experience Of recent
warfare leads Us 10 believe that determined force b.
hind the military works will be dangerous enemies TO a
dis mbaBr Advancing army. As TO the financial posi-
uOn OF the Confederacy learn that the whole loan OF
sl6 600 900 has been taken at par at New Orleans
where military ardor is very high-ln fact, as far
can be Judged from tho somewhat seau:y intelligence re-
ceved the Confederate States were prepar to defend
hemlyes 20 the last, declaring that the ngh! 10 Sc
cede from the Union is clear the right oil the th-
teen co les to throw of allegiance TO George Ill aud
more So since tn British Government ony violated
traditional max N respecting taxation, while the North
according them has violated written Constitution by
endeayorng to restrict the right Of holding persons to
| l.lor throughout the entire Union.
But is Useless TO culate further matters which
will he made clear in few days TIE r1ost momentots
part of the present news is undoubtedly that which
Ates TO the BoIdr States. IL is u possible that some
of these will uo Immediately sectd, but the secession OF
Virginia was expected 10 tke place in few days ardit
il probable that ALREADY this grave act has been accom-
pibed Should this he the case the others must even
tualy follow Though there large non slayeholdiDg
element both in Virginia aud ntucky, yet the owners
form the most powerful class aud the passions OF the
multitude have reused against President
Lincoln as an assaant OF the rights OF the south With
out giving Implicit credit to all that Is reported by tee-
eraph there IL evidence enough to show that large
BODY OF the ope in Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri
will take up arms in defence Of the Confederate States
q a. Pillow had arrived AZ Montgomery to offer Pre,i
dent ,yis division Of Tennessee trcopI The martial
excitement once begun will certainly spread, ssse all
minds and at 10 dtaut date carry these States out Of
the pnion
Had the Border States however, even remained firm,
it would have been n difficult talk for Mr. Lincoln TO
carry on such war az he medtates. march from the
North through the States Of Virginia aud North Care
na TO Char, ston seems enterprise eyond the pow
er of the federal forces The country would b., almost
that of An cuey for the sJmplthies Of the slave
ers woud be everywhere with their Southern friends
ia fHcut to conceive that this p,olct has ever been
entertained W. must believe that Cxpeditiors by sea
are the means by which the Preid mt intends bring
the rebels to obedience Now, operations of this kind
are no. ONLY very difficult 10 the face OF strong and
soute enemy bat they take time in preparation. Wha.
ever NAV be the result when the Federal militia atteu
to land at Charleston to repeat the British enterprise
against New Orleans must at least expect that trans
pot and commisslEint will occupy mouth or two, and
that with the whole Southern population in arms, Il will
not be thought prudent TO send small or illtqupped
peditions ,lst the leading cities Of the enemy. Al
though certainly, numbers wealth and sufficient zeal
are on tie side Of the Unonss yet the d,mags OF an Of
tnsve war are grea. that President Lincoln may well
hesitate to begin it,
LETTER FROM HARPER5 FERRY.
Correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette.
U,rprp's EyRRy Nav IL Last night more trocps