The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1861-02-08

mob is reported to have planted
cannon on the banks Of the river al
Vicksburg, with the avowed purpose
Of sinking every steamboat that OF.
fcrs to pass without consenting to be
overhauled and examined. The
former act is palpablc treason against
the federal government, and requires
prompt attention from the admin.
i4tration. The demonstrations al
Vicksburg, rs stated, have a special
interest for the people Of this city
Both are oilenses go injurious and
insulting to the whole North West
that, whatever the federal govern
'mcnt may do, they will not be tol
Grated by our people.
II is needless to say that the
Vicksburg dispatch referred to has
created much excitement and indig
nation among those more imnedi.
ately interested, and, in fact. among
all classes of our people. No idle
threats or bravado are uttered, but
no disposition prevails to submit to
any interference with the free navi.
cation of the Mississippi. No rash
or i'll, advised steps will he taken,
but on the first insult or hindrance
TO any boats pursuing its customary
and lawful business, measures will
be taken to put a permanent stop to
this insolenco.
What we have before said. we
now say again: The North. West
will be unit in maintaining its right
10 free and unobstructed use OF the
Mississippi RIVER throughout its en-
tire course. Or this, oil informed.
dlers and traitors to the Union may
take note and. govern themselves
accordingly.
No forts OF the United States gov,
ernment, anywhere upon that stream,
or in its vicinity, will TIC permitted
to remain, for any length OF time in
the hands Of a belligerent enemy,
foreign or domestic. The insurgents
who have stolen possession OF Frrts
Jackson. Saint Phillip. and Pike.
will speedily be cleared ont by the
government, or by some other agency,
not hostile to the North West. II
is not likely. however, that any
forces on that crrand would choose
the route by Wick, k,burg. Here the
lawless proceedings referred to at
that point do not rcsnlt from any
reasonable fear. They must have
some other purpose.
There are other modes of warfare
than exploding gunpowdcr or hack
ing with steel. The Prince OF Or,
angc, when his country was assailcd
by q dangerous invasion, found much
more effective remedies. lie open
ci the dykes, overnowed the country
and put the otherwise victorious
enemy to fight.
The same element, but in q very
different manner, can be used for the
discontinue OF any rcbcllious COM
munity on the lower Mississippi. -
Tho Father of Waters has already
volunteered on several occasions to
teach this lesson. The fact that the
bed Of The river ia at considerable
elevation shove the surrounding
country is well known. The terri
blc effects Of n crevasse have been
repeatedly witnessed. All the low
er country, if aggression is made
upon "North- w cstern rights" can
be subdued by the work OF single
night. We say this is no threaten
ing mood; but violence, meddlesome
interference with legitimate river
business, any sort OF injury or abuse
to our vessels, their passengers, their
crews, or their ladng, will inevita
bly, lead to hostiities, and when
these actually come. the most effect.
i've method OF "conquering a peace
will be adopted.
We regret much to see the spirit
of alienation and anaticism which
appears now to be in the ascendan,
at New Orleans. We should regret
still more if the day ever comes when
in defence of our rights-particularly
that Of the right OF the free naviga.
ton of the Mississippi, obtained by
an outlay Of millions OF dollars
New Orleans and Cincinnati shout
be parties, on opposite sides, I,
actual war, But we say distinctly
t that tho mouth Of the Mississippi
shall not pass into the hands ul Il
, foreign power, or our trade and iH
tcrcourse up and down that river bt
left at the mercy of mere treaty
| until after a long and desperate
2 struggle, in which tho North Wes'
= shall have been vsnqnished. And
I this last result we do not seriously
I apprehcnd. We are disposed tC
= think, rather, tina. New Orlean,
; would frat find itself submerged il
I another Dead Sea, should it cause
= lessly provoke and madly persist ii
: warfare like that.
3 We suspect that the Southern NAL
! contents are far less ignorant OF The
s material strength OF the states Of the
) North West, than OF the spirit which
!, has been excited among our peopl,
t by constant ncanace aud by recenI
events. There is no division o
sentimi mt in this section, The mad
: cap .disunionists are known TO be
r wickedly wrong. Forbcarance to-
d ward their insolence has ceased t,
It be consistent with a decent sell
:, respect. They are raising storm
70 at the North, which will have none
oi the less force and fury because i
81 has gathered slowly. We want NJ