The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-05-07
pertaining to the individual States. The forts

pertaining 10 the individual States. The forts
are protests against the acts OF violence to
which the Federal authority has Welded else
where. They are, moreover, the points d.
dppuf, small as they are, on which the Fede-
raj Government can rest its resistance to the
claims of the Southern Confederation to be
acknow ledged as an independent Republic =
Ii they were surrendered without attack or
without the existence of any pressure arising
from the refusal of the Sou thern authorities
10 permit them TO get supplies which is an
act OF war, the case of the United States Gov
eminent would be, they consider materially
weakened. If it be observed that these forts
nave no strategic value, 1t may readily be re-
piled that their political value is very great
Bht, serious as these considerations may be,
or may be thought to be, with respect to
foreign relations, there are in reference to do
mestc politics still more weghty inducemen is
70 hoio them. The effect produced in the
Norlh ana northwest by an attack on the
forts while the United States flag is floating
over them would be useful 10 the
Government at Washington as the effect Of
abandoning the forts or tamely surrendering
tnem would be hprtful TO them in the estima-
ton OF the extreme Republicans. A despera te
attack, gallant defence, the shedding OF the
blood OF gallant men. whose duty it was to
defend tnat entrusted to their keeping, and
VINO yielded only TO numbers--the outrage on
the American fag-would create an excite
ment In the nion which the South with all
Its determination and courage is unwilling TO
provoke, but which the Government would
be forced TO use in its own service.
Such an event must lead to war--a very
terrible and nerciiess war; and both par tics
pause before they resort TO that court OF
arms. Unless the Border States ioin ia the
South, Mr.. Jefferson Davis could scarcely
hope 10 carry ont the grand projects whicn are
attributed to his mill tary genius OF marching
northwards and debating terms on their own
soil TO Republicans. He could scarcely ven
ture TO leave the negro population ung guarded
in his rear, and his fianks menaced by the sea
born Northerners on one side, aud by such
operations as the water sheds Significantly in
dlcate OH the other. 1t is idle To speculate on
the incidents of that which may never occur,
and which, occurring, may assume the inslg-
nlflcaDt aspect OF border skirmishes, or Inc
tremendous proportions OF war OF races and
creeds intensified by the worst elements OF
seryIle and civil conflict. The Govern nent OF
AIR. Lincoln hope and believe that the contes
may be averted. The Commiss toner's OF lDe
South are inclined TO think, also, there Will be
a peaceful solutloh-obtalhed, OF course, by
fun concession and recognition But mac tion
cannot last on the part OF the South Alrea-
dy they have begun the system OF coercion
The supplies OF the garrison at Sumter viii be
cut off nencetortn, IL they are not already Tor
hidden. They do not lear the moral effect OF
this act for some of their leading men actually
believe that nothing can stop the progress
OF movement which Will, they fondiy
tn ink, absorb I'll the other States OF the Union,
and leave the New England States to form an
insignificant Republic of its own, with a pos
sible larger des stiny III Canada. Their oppo.
nents In The North are fully satisfied that the
diTest Nemesis Will iail on the Montgomery
Government i'll the utter rum OF all theiI
States the moment they are left 10 themselves
The Government is ated aL the success ol
the loan, and Mr.. Chase has taken high ground
in refusing oilers made 20 him yes terday, auG
in resolving issue Government securities
Tor the balance of the amount required L
complete the amount Mr.. Forsyth one o.
the Southern Commissioners, who has JUS
re- turned from New York here, is equally sat
he of ny ri In hat n = Y
Aud seems TO think THAT the New orliers ar,
preparing Tor a secession. But, though State.
may be sovereign, 1t has never been assgr tee
that cities or portions OF States are so, and in
the Western and Northern portions OF the STATE
of New ! orA there is a large agriC uitura
population, which, with the aid of Govern
ment, would very speedily suppress any ut
tempt TO secede on the part OF The city, if mel
are be believed who say they know til,
circ ums tances of the case. Virginia is claimed
by both sides, but accounts tins morning ar,
to the effect that the seces sionists have Sbeer
defeated on division, by a vote OF two to one
III favor OF the Union and, although Genera
Houston appears TO be forced TO accept tn,
situation Tor time, there are many WhC
think ne will organize strong reac ton agains
the dominant secessiOniSts.
Whatever may be the result of all thes.
diverse actions, the Great Republic is gone
The shape of the fragments is not yet deter
mined any more than their tate. They may
re- unite, bnt the cohesion can never be per
many platforms - there were 100 many
| officers on board; perhaps the principles o
construction were erroneous-the rigid, cast
| iron old Constitution guns burst yiolen tly
| when tried with new proJec ctiles-any way
those who adhere with most devotion to th'
vessel admit that it is parted rig ht amidships
and that its prestige has vanished The mor'
des perate OF these would gladly see an enemy
or go out of their way 10 find one, in the hop
| of a common bond of union being discoveret
| in a common animOSity and danger
| The naval preparations, of which you viii
hear a good deal, are intended to make gooC
| existing deficiencies and TO meet contingen
cies. At any other time the action of Spain
| in ST. Domingo would create a cry for war
| Now all the Federal Government can do is It
| demand and receive explanations. In repl,
| to Mr.. Stewards nquiries, the Spanish Min
| lister has possibly stated that the recent event
| in St. Domingo have been caused by the act
| and threats of Hdyti which forced the Do
| minicans to call in the aid and claim the pro
| lection of Spain.
| There have been several attempts from tim
! to time to induce France to assume the dumin
| ion of its former possession, and it is not un
| likely that an excellent unders landing eXis I
| between the Court of Madrid and the Emp per
| or Napoleon in reference to the subject. Th
| report that the MeXlcans have made, con
| template making, an attack on Texas, i
| scarcely worthy of credence.
| AS to the Morrill, tariff, ! can only re
| peat what have already said. 1t must b.
borne till results show that iEcannot be per
| sisted in. Then only will it be repealed o
modified. The theory of the Government is
| that the United States always takes far NOR,
| from Europe than it can pay for. If th
| revenue is collected there is ~ ground TO
| complaint. The English and French man II
| facturer will be satisfied, as well as til
Northern population. II the revenue is no
collected, then the tariff must be repealed
and that will be done within the year If tn
misch hief is serious" Birmingham, Wolyer
hampton, and Manchester must make tn
best they can out of the doctrine.