Progress of the Revolution.
Affairs at Washington — war Movements — Hamlin on the crisis — the U. S. Flag raised in Baltimore — events in the South, &c., &c.
By the Northern train last evening we received New York papers of Tuesday, Baltimore papers of Wednesday, and Washington and Alexandria papers of the latest date.
Washington News.
The Alexandria Gazette has the following:‘ Washington,May 1.--The disbursing agent of the United States Treasury in this city was yesterday put in a very uncomfortable position. He was unable to procure cash on a Government draft on the Sub-Treasury at New York. Not one single Bank or Banker in Washington would touch New York. Government employees consequently cannot be paid, and great inconvenience is experienced by the interested ones.
’ Lane's command are thoroughly organized, and make the rounds of the city regularly.
The enrollment of volunteers goes on briskly; nearly the whole available force of the city is under arms.
The rumor that the United States Government is to take possession of Arlington Heights and other points on the Virginia side of the Potomac, is not now credited. If this line of policy is pursued, it will be for the purpose of inducing an attack on, and the utter destruction of, the Massachusetts and Rhode Island regiments, which will be detailed for that service, and thereby create a unanimity in their feelings with regard to hatred of the South and its invasion; for it is said by those who should know, that there are many among these regiments who declare openly that they did not come to Washington for the purpose of slaughtering Virginians, but to protect the Capital of their country.
The Seventh Regiment came here on a lark — the United States Government to pay the traveling and necessary expenses. Each man brought with him one hundred dollars, with which to defray the drinking expenses for thirty days, the time for which they agreed to serve, and at the expiration of which they will leave — if permitted.
It is said that one member of this regiment — all of whom are in comfortable circumstances, and many of whom are wealthy — when in Annapolis, asked the hotel keeper to have some champagne sent to his room. Upon being asked how much should be sent, he replied, ‘" All in the house."’ All in the house was brought to his room and stacked.
Great dissatisfaction exists among this regiment at the manner in which they have been provided for by the Administration, and many are paying for their own provisions, in preference to eating what the Government furnishes.
Some fifteen of the Seventh, when they were offered the oath in front of the War Department, refused to take it, and returned to their homes.
The Twelfth Regiment of New York is composed of Bowery boys, whose moral and physical status equals that of the Baltimore Plugs. They openly assert that they are half starved, that they have but two meals a day, and that each and every meal consists of two ship biscuits and some half boiled salt pork, and that if they are not better supplied they will take things into their own hands — in other words, go to pillaging.
The prevailing sentiment among the forces now concentrated here is certainly against coercion, and is in favor of a peaceful, bloodless separation.
The following items are from the Washington Star:
‘ All the late rumors about the disposition of the Government to enter into an armistice with those making war upon the United States, are entirely untrue. Since Sumter was attacked, it is well known no such idea has been considered in the Government's counsels.
’ We hear, on authority, in which we confide, that Mr. W. B. Astor has tendered to the United States as an outright contribution to the cause of the Union, a donation of four millions of dollars, and ten millions more as a loan. His fortune enables him to do so, it will be remembered.
We learn that the charge against Mr. William Thompson, late of the Ordnance Department, of having been a party to the treachery of filling bombs with sand, has been carefully investigated by the officers in charge, and that nothing whatever has been discovered tending to criminate him.
We presume that all now understand that the Government design speedily opening and keeping open the communication between this city and New York through Baltimore peaceably, if Baltimore will permit it to be so accomplished — otherwise, forcibly.
The prices of flour have declined since the panic occasioned by the removal of the flour from Georgetown a week ago. The prices range from $8.50 per barrel for superfine to $11 for family. There will be no lack of provisions, as our merchants are to-day arranging for the reception of provisions in abundance.
The examination of the parties concerned in the killing of Boyd, at the Navy-Yard, last Sunday, has been postponed without day, as their arrest by military authority prevents their being removed from their cells without an order from the commanding officer. The other cases are postponed for the same reason.
The Commander at Washington has issued a general order providing for a full report of the condition of the troops under his command. Sanitary regulations are promulgated, and good order and discipline is directed to be enforced.
Col. Rufus King, the newly-appointed U. S. Minister to Rome, has been granted by the State Department three months leave of absence, to enable him to command the regiment of volunteers to be furnished by Wisconsin. A similar leave has been granted to Carl Shurz, U. S. Minister to Spain, who proposes to raise a regiment of cavalry.
A telegraph has been made connecting the Arsenal, the Navy-Yard, the Capitol, Executive Mansion, and other public departments.
Affairs in Baltimore.
The Baltimore Sun, of Tuesday, says:‘ The late excitement in the city has almost entirely subsided, and matters are as dull as before the events of the 19th of April. Small numbers of people continue to gather on the corners of the public streets, but that is of common occurrence and creates no excitement. Everything is dull, and the wharves present an almost desolate prospect.
’ A proclamation from Gov. Hicks opposes the enrollment of the militia by the commissioned militia officers of the State, and by others, as a violation of the Code, derogatory of the dignity of the State, and subversive of good order. He calls upon the authorities of the county and of the city of Baltimore to see that the laws are not violated in this respect.
The Government flag.
East Tennessee true to the South.
All accounts from East Tennessee (says the Nashville Gazette,) agree in representing the people of that division as loyal to the South. In every quarter military companies are being organized for active service against the aggression of Northern invaders, and those too old or infirm for such service are freely giving of their substance in support of the good cause. Despite what slanderers say of them, the people of East Tennessee are giving practical demonstration of the fact that they are thoroughly with the South in this her period of awful peril.
"the feeling in the South."
Under this heading, the New York Herald of Tuesday has the following paragraph:‘ We learned yesterday that letters had been received by the proprietors of several of our principal hotels, from Southerners living in the cotton-growing States, asking whether it will be safe for them to bring their families North to New York. This is a significant fact, and clearly proves that most exaggerated accounts have been given to the Southern newspapers of the condition of the things of the North, and also the feeling with which the people of the seceded States are regarded by their Northern brethren.
’
Meeting of Railroad Presidents.
A meeting of the Presidents of several Southern railroads was held in Montgomery last week. It was determined to add every facility for the transportation of troops, provisions, munitions of war, mails and other things. The following terms were agreed upon: For each man only two cents per mile; for provisions and munitions one-half of the regular price; for the mails of the first grade for one mile $150, of the second grade $100, and of the third grade $50. The companies unanimously agreed to take Confederate State Bonds in payment.
Affairs on the Mississippi River.
The following paragraphs are from the Memphis Bulletin, of April 20:‘ The steamer Ohio Belle was tied up at Napoleon, on Sunday night. Her passengers came up to this city yesterday, on the steamer Kentucky. The instructions of the Governor of Arkansas are, to hold all Cincinnati boats till the arms of Arkansas, now held in Cincinnati, are given up.
’ The steamer Mars has been tied up at Helena, and Captain Jones Good has taken out a protest, and gone to his home in Covington, Kentucky. His boat is owned in Ohio, and it is held until the Arkansas guns are given up at Cincinnati.
The steamer Memphis came down from St. Louis since our last. She got out a custom-house clearance, in accordance with instructions from the Treasury Department, which makes the Federal Government responsible for anything taken off of her. She met with no detention at Cairo.
At Napoleon the people have erected a battery, consisting of two or three guns and a mortar, and are determined to capture and hold every Cincinnati steamboat till the arms belonging to Arkansas, and held in Cincinnati, are delivered up.
Messrs. Quimby & Robinson yesterday made a shipment of a quantity of six-pound shot to Helena — the first shipment of ammunition of Memphis manufacture ever made.--In a few days they will be making shot and shell of all sizes. The cannon recently cast by them is getting along well.
The Sappers and Miners, under Capt. Pickett, are progressing rapidly with their work at Fort Harris. One gun has already been mounted, and the remainder will be placed in position to-day — after which they will be engaged in a similar service elsewhere under Gen. Pillow.
The Coahoma Invincible, from Friar's Point, Miss., reached the city last night, on the fast steamer Mary E. Keene. They are a fine looking military corps, and are to rendezvous at Corinth, Miss., at which point there will be 2,500 troops by this evening.--The steamer Judge Fletcher yesterday morning landed one company from Pine Bluff, Ark., composed of one hundred and twenty members, and another from Helena, composed of eighty members, commanded by Capt. Cleburne, a gallant officer. In the afternoon, the steamer Golden State brought up two more companies — the Border Rangers, sixty strong, from Searcy, and the Hindman Guards, a cavalry corps, forty strong, from West Point. They were all landed at Mound City, just above which point they have a special duty to perform.
The people of Napoleon, we learn, have been misrepresented in the matter of the detention and firing upon the steamer Westmoreland. According to the representations of the people of Napoleon the steamer Westmoreland was tied up by a committee of citizens, when the Captain threatened to cut the lines and leave. He was told if he did so, they would fire upon him. He replied:‘"they might fire and bed — d."’ He then cut the lines which held his boat to the wharf-boat, and the citizens attempted to fire a cannon which was within ten feet of her, but it flashed, and before the gun could be replaced so as to strike the Westmoreland, she was out of reach, seeing which the citizens fired upon her with small arms, killing one man and injuring another. So it appears that it was the fault of the Captain of the Westmoreland that a valuable life was lost.
A word in season.
We like the following "talk" of the Wilmington (N. C.) Journal:‘ Curses are wafted on every breeze that blows from the North--torrents of invective and abuse are poured forth in full stream.--Let them be so. They can do us no harm.-- We have ceased to have any concern in what is said of us North of Mason and Dixon's line. We rather like that our enemies should relieve themselves as they do there. Barking dogs seldom bite. They are so mad that they remind us of the story of the Pennsylvania soldier in 1812, who was ‘"so mad — so damn mad that he"’ --well, no matter what;--some foolish people thought he was scared.
’ This tumultuous rage is a great thing in its way. As for New York, now, they must have a "sensation;" they cannot exist without a sensation; but these sensations all pass away soon, except the sensation of hunger. They think, and this time with sense, that their greatness and supremacy is threatened, and they are "mad," much mad; but they need not show it after the manner of the interior Pennsylvanian. They will gain nothing by it, and the savor of their madness will cling around, not with the odor of sanctity, long after they have repented — not of their malignity, but of their foolishness in permitting themselves to make so ostentatious a parade of it.
But for all this we must be prepared to meet and hurl back the first efforts of this malignancy, without giving it a lodgment on Southern soil. The wants of civilization will fight for us. The necessities of Europe will demand that the blockade of our ports be removed. Difficulties at the North as well as at the South will call aloud for a settlement, and we will have a settlement, such a settlement as the opposing section ought to have made at once, and before the shedding of blood and the expenditure of treasure.
We do not say that this can be looked for save through suffering and privation. Some such is necessary to foster and develop the true spirit of a people; but we warn all to beware of those prophets of ill-omen, who go abroad, if not crying, at least whispering, woe, woe, and referring to the irresistibility of the cohorts Lincoln can bring to our subjugation. There are few such — we wish there were none. They may do harm — they can do no good. The mind of the South is made up, we suppose. We want no second Jeremiah come to lamentation.
Speech from Vice-President Hamlin.
A great meeting of the strong-minded women of New York was held at the Cooper Institute last Monday. Among the speakers on the occasion was Hannibal Hamlin, who said:‘ We present to-day such a spectacle as the world has never witnessed in any age or country. In all the loyal States there beats in men and women's bosoms but one single heart. (Applause.) And that heart beats in vindication of our common country and the liberty we inherited from our fathers. (Applause.) We have differed in opinions upon the passing questions of the hour, for they are passed, and they are a sealed book. Let the dead bury the dead. (Applause.) We are to-day forgetful of the past. We live with the stirring present around us only in bright hopes of the future, and in the discharge of the duties that devolve upon us depends that future. Why is it that you, women, in such vast numbers from this Empire City, have gathered from your humble and your luxurious homes?--Why is it? Why is it, but that you feel as men feel, that all that we have and all that is valuable in life is at stake and is imperilled? There is nothing, from the stirring marts of commerce up to all the endearments that cluster around the domestic altar, that is not in the issue. Of what use is commerce in all its ramifications — of what use is home with all its endearments — without it is guarded and protected by the law? All these are assailed by those who are attempting to subvert the Government under which we live. The Stars, which are the hopes, and the Stripes, which are the emblems of liberty, have been ignominiously dishonored; our public property and our fortifications have been assailed and taken by rebels from their rightful owners; and the Government under which we live is threatened with subversion. These are the things that have stirred the hearts of men and women until all have united. (Applause.)--These are the things that have brought you together here-- these the causes which have united us all as one. And let me say there is no other course to pursue now but the vindication of the integrity of the Government under which we live. (Applause.) It is a false philanthropy — it is a false humanity that shall falter now in this trying hour of trouble. (Applause.) The safety of the republic consists in the energy and efficiency of the Government. (Applause.) The loyalty of the people is unquestioned. Destruction only is with those who falter.--These are stirring times, and now we must test the question, whether we have or have not a government? To abandon that great question now is to abandon all. (Applause.) In one sense of the word, there is some truth in the allegation that the contest is a sectional one. On the broader and more comprehensive view it is not so. It is a question of government or no government. That is the true question which we have to settle — whether we have a government, whether we received that government from our fathers, and shall perpetuate it to those to come after us? (Applause.) That is the question, however variously sections may array themselves upon either side.
’
Federal Tyranny.
The Alexandria Sentinel, of Tuesday P. M., says:‘ Among the Washingtonian who took refuge in our city this morning, was George M. Thompson. For meritorious service as a soldier in the Florida war, and in the bloody battles of Mexico, Mr. Thompson is in possession of honorable testimonials, and received a pension from Government. But though not avowing secession doctrines, yet he dared to express sympathy for the South. Hence, last night he was beset by the dogs of Gen. Scott, and compelled to leave his home.
’ e learn that the proscription is each day becoming more fierce. Many of the soldiers are of the lowest dredge of rowdyism, and almost uncontrollable by their officers.
Hon. C. L. Vallandigham.
The following card from Mr. Vallandigham, April 18, appears in the Cincinnati Enquirer:‘ I have a word for the Republican press and partizans of Cincinnati and other places abroad, who now daily falsify and misrepresent me and matters which concern me here in Dayton.
’ My position in regard to civil war, which the Lincoln Administration has inaugurated, was long since taken, is well known, and will be adhered to to the end. Let that be understood. I have added nothing to it, subtracted nothing from it, said nothing about it publicly since the war began. I know well that I am right, and that in a little while the ‘"sober second thought of the people"’ will dissipate the present sudden and fleeting public madness, and will demand to know why thirty millions of people are butchering each other in civil war, and will arrest it speedily. But meantime, should my own State be invaded, or threatened with invasion, as soon as it may be, then, as a loyal native-born son of Ohio, acknowledging my first allegiance to be to her, I will aid in defending her to the last extremity, asking no questions. Whoever shall refuse then, or hesitate, will be a traitor and a dastard. And this same rule I apply as well to the people of Virginia, Kentucky, or Missouri, as to any of the free States, North or West.
As to myself, no threats have been made to me, personally; none within my hearing; no violence offered; no mob gathered anywhere; none will be; nobody afraid of any; and every statement or rumor in regard to me, circulated orally, or published in the Republican press, is basely idle and false. And now let me add, for the benefit of the cowardly slanderers of Cincinnati or elsewhere, who libel me daily, that if they have any business with me, I can be found every day, and at any time, either at home, on the northwest corner of First and Ludlow, or upon the streets of Dayton. C. L. Vallandigham.
New Jersey.
The Governor of New Jersey, in his message, recommends a loan of $2,000,000, to be secured by State tax, and the appropriation of $100,000 for the purchase of arms and raising four additional regiments for State service, subject to the call of the General Government; the defence of the southern portion of the State by fortified forts, or an entrenched camp. The few regiments raised are now receiving their equipments, and will start soon.
