Probability of an Extra session of Congress
--Act of 1793 and Volunteers — Stirring Events Predicted.‘"Independent,"’ the most intelligent and reliable of the Washington correspondents of the Black Republican press, writes to the Philadelphia North American, that the opinion formerly expressed by him that an extra session would not be needed, was based wholly upon the belief that the present status of the country would not be materially disturbed, and the revenues would continue to be collected as now and heretofore. If, however, under the temptation of the low duties nominally established by ‘"the Confederate States,"’ imports should seek the principal Southern ports, and make New Orleans the great depot of an extemporized foreign commerce, the condition of things would be radically changed, while the depletion of our legitimate revenue and the necessary derangement of finances, would render an extra session unavoidable. If the Government should permit trade to take that course, to the plain and serious injury of its proper revenue, nothing would be easier than to turn the current, and for importers at New York to order their goods via New Orleans, in order to save the difference of duty, which, compared with the Morrill tariff, would not only compensate for the loss of time, but afford a large profit besides.
Such a state of things, says ‘"Independent,"’ would soon bankrupt the treasury and deprive it of all resources; for, without the current revenue from customs, loans and treasury notes could not be forced upon the market at any price. Thus far no attempt has been made by the General Government to interfere with the collection and appropriation of duties by the seceding States. ‘"Mr. Buchanan,"’ adds the writer, ‘"was afraid to take the responsibility of confronting that issue, and he ignored his duty by a base and unworthy surrender to the disunionists. But Mr. Lincoln cannot escape it if he would. He is compelled either to collect the revenue or to abdicate office. One or other of these alternatives is inevitable, and it is hardly probable he will accept the latter."’
‘"Independent"’ then proceeds to say that though the bill giving power to President to call out volunteers was lost in the expiring hours of the session, ‘" it is held that the act of 1795 sufficiently provides that authority, which was never disputed until Judge Black's opinion was given to the effect that judicial process must be first exhausted in the effort to suppress insurrection, before this resort could be tried."’ He adds:
‘"In every aspect our relations with the revolted States are grave and complicated. With the best dispositions for peace here, it seems almost impossible to avoid a collision sooner or later, unless they should exhibit a degree of reason which is hardly expected. The country must be prepared for stirring events, unless the Cotton Confederacy abandons the purpose of defying the Federal authority and of appropriating the revenues."’
Looking back upon the mysterious manner in which Virginia has been lured on by the subtle policy of Seward to wait, and wait, and wait — till the Black Republicans are ready to crush the South"we can almost imagine, that this most subtle of all the beasts of Black Republicanism has put some potent spell upon the Mother of States, some vile drug, some enchantment of hell, that she does not see the eternal death that is yawning at her feet.
