Year: 1861

!
We are undoubtedly, as Mr.. Buchanan says
in his special message to Congress (alluded to
in the dispatches) lin the midst of great
revolution" Mississippi and Florida have
declared for secession, and the insurgents in
South Carolina have fired into a vessel
| chartered by the Government to carry pro-
visions and men to the assistance OF Mayor
Anderson, and driven her from the harbor
This happened on the morning of the 9th of
January, and soon after the sloop-of- war
Brooklyn sailed from Norfolk. 1t is suppos-
ed that she went for the purpose of bringing
back the troops of the Star of the West to
Norfolk.


The seizure of United States forts, before
this, was already an act of hostility to the
Federal Government and an insult to the ex-
isting Administration. But, now, it is not
only the seizure Of public property, belong
ing TO the Union, but it is declaration,
from the guns muzzle, that a United States
vessel shall not enter Charleston harbor and
that the Federal Government shall not land
her troops at her own forts in South Carroll
ma. The determination in particular seems
to be that Major Anderson shall not be rein
forced.


The President seems half inclined to do
something, and limited number of troops
have been ordered southwark. lie has ap-
pealed to Congress for immediate action, but
recommends peaceable adjustment, if posi-
ble. AT the same time, he says that the pub
property protected,


We are on the eve of great events, and the
time has arrived for testing the strength of
the Government If the Administration acts
with decision and vigor, the rebellion may
be quelled. The exercise of the whole pow
er of the Government, at this time, before
full preparation has been made by the seced-
ing States, would make the rebels quake
There is no mistake about that; and it would
be difficult for them to make headway. Once
put down, rebellion would subside, for there
would come a reaction in the public mind of
the revolving sections Seeing the desperate
character of the struggle, men would desire
peace; free discussion would ensue, those
now afraid TO oppose secession would express
their sentiments. Opinions would be divided
and the party for peace would grow every
hour. The history of all rebellions will show
that men are marvellously well satisfied to
take the Government as it is, after they have
been thoroughly convinced of the futility of
resistance rgainst it. There is nothing like a
prompt suppression of insurrectonary or
revolutionary movements. Defeat breeds
dissatisfaction in the ranks-the execution
of the ring leaders for treason deters such as
might be expected TO take their places-be-
sides, the masses are not all heroes and do
not all aspire to be martyrs-the munitions
of war are costly-proyisions fail-business
is neglected. families suffer, and men become
sick of revolution. A ready and determined
and strong military movement by the Gov
ernmeGt would soon settle the question as to
the extent of disaifection at the South, and
determine whether or not the rebellion
was to be successful


Two or three fights would solve the whole
difficulty. If the Federal Government found
that she had not the physical power to quell
rebellion in the revolving States, why, then,
of course she would be compelled to recog-
nize their independence. But, she cannot
tell what her power is, until she puts it forth.
She cannot tell, moreover, what the force of
an example or two might do, towards effect
ing submission to her laws. The dispatches
intimate that the Cabinet were consulting as
to the propriety of trying Senator Toombs, of
Georgia, and Senator Wigfall of Texas, for
high treason. Jackson proposed to try John
c. Calhoun, for far less reasonable avowals
than those which have been made by Toombs
and Wigfall, in the Senate of the United
States, and would have done it, had it not
been for the Clayton compromise which
saved the South Carolina leader.


Something must be done shortly or it will
be too late. AS Douglas says. it is either
Compromise or war. We still family hope
that Compromise may be effected


P. SIN addition to the dispatches to the
Union, we have dispatch of our own, which
will be found of no inconsiderabls interest.


E,vopu Hon M;lton To4Io.,