On the 12th of April last the honorable
Mr. Walker,
Secretary of War of the
Confederate States, held the following language at
Montgomery, Alabama:
No man, he said, could tell where the war this day commenced would end, but he would prophesy that the flag which now flaunts the breeze here would float over the dome of the old Capitol at Washington before the first of May. Let them try Southern chivalry and test the extent of Southern resources, and it might float eventually over Faneuil Hall itself.
Such being the publicly avowed belief of the
Secretary of War of the
Confederate States, we quote in illustration of similar “threats,” the following excerpts taken from leading Southern journals, merely premising that we could greatly add to their number if it were essential to the purpose:
From the Richmond Enquirer, of April 13.
attention, volunteers!--Nothing is more probable than that
President Davis will soon march an army
through North Carolina and Virginia to Washington. Those of our volunteers who desire to join the
Southern army as it shall pass through our borders, had better organize at once for the purpose, and keep their arms, accoutrements, uniforms, ammunition, and knapsacks in constant readiness.
From the New Orleans Picayune, of April 18.
The first fruits of a Virginia secession will be the removal of
Lincoln and his Cabinet, and
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whatever he can carry away, to the safer neighborhood of
Harrisburg or Cincinnati-perhaps to
Buffalo or
Cleveland.
From the Vicksburg (
Miss.)
Whig, of April 20.
Major Ben McCullough has organized a force of five thousand men
to seize the Federal Capital the instant the first blood is spilled. The Montgomery Advertiser says this intelligence is from a Virginia gentleman now in
Washington city, who had it direct from
McCullough's own lips.
From the Richmond (
Va.)
Examiner, of April 23.
The capture of
Washington city is perfectly within the power of
Virginia and
Maryland, if
Virginia will only make the proper effort by her constituted authorities; nor is there a single moment to lose,
the entire population pant for the onset; there never was half the unanimity among the people before, nor a tithe of the zeal upon any subject that is now manifested to take Washington, and drive from it every Black Republican who is a dweller there.
From the mountain tops and valleys to the shores of the sea
there is one wild shout of fierce resolve to capture Washington city at all and every human hazard.
The filthy cage of unclean birds must and will assuredly be purified by fire.
The people are determined upon it, and are clamorous for a leader to conduct them to the onslaught.
That leader will assuredly rise, aye, and that right speedily.
From the Goldsboroa (
N. C.)
Tribune, of April 24.
We understand that
Duncan K. McRae,
Esq., who came here last night, bears a special order for one regiment of
North Carolina troops to march to the city of
Washington.
They are to be ready in forty-eight hours from the notice.
This is by order of
Gov. Ellis.
To have gained
Maryland is to have gained a host.
It insures
Washington city, and the ignominious expulsion of
Lincoln and his bodyguard of Kansas cut-throats from the
White House.
It makes good the words of Secretary Walker at Montgomery in regard to the Federal Metropolis. It transfers the lines of battle from the
Potomac to the
Pennsylvania border.
From the Raleigh (
N. C.)
Standard, of April 24.
North Carolina will send her full quota of troops to unite in the attack on
Washington city.
Our streets are alive with soldiers and officers, many of the latter being here to tender their companies to the
Governor.
Washington city will soon be too hot to hold
Abraham Lincoln and his Government.
North Carolina has said it, and she will do all she can to make good her declaration.
From the Eufaula (
Ala.)
Express, of April 25.
With independent
Virginia on one side and the secessionists of
Maryland (who are doubtless in the majority) on the other, our policy at this time
should be to seize the old Federal Capital and take old
Lincoln and his Cabinet prisoners of war. Once get the Heads of the
Government in our power, and we can demand any terms we see fit, and thus, perhaps, avoid a long and bloody contest.
From the Wilmington (
N. C.)
Daily Journal of April 27.
A correspondent writing from
Georgetown, (
S. C.) under date of April 26th, makes inquiry about a report that had got afloat there that three regiments of troops had left
North Carolina to join
Lincoln.
What an idea!
When
North Carolina troops join old Abe it will be at the point of the bayonet, and he at the sharp end. When North Carolina regiments
go to Washington, and they will go, they will stand side by side with their brethren of the
South.
What fool could have put in circulation such a report!
From the Milledgeville (
Ga.)
Southern Recorder, of April 30.
The government of the
Confederate States must possess the city of Washington. It is folly to think it can be used any longer as the headquarters of the
Lincoln Government, as no access can be had to it except by passing through
Virginia and
Maryland.
The District of Columbia cannot remain under the jurisdiction of the United States Congress without humiliating Southern pride and defeating Southern rights.
Both are essential to greatness of character, and both must cooperate in the destiny to be achieved.
The correspondent of the
Charleston Courier wrote from
Montgomery, Alabama, under date of the 28th ultimo, as follows:
The aspect of Montgomery at this time is any thing but peaceful, and, with the presence of so many troops in the capitol at once, the people are beginning to realize the fact that we are in the midst of war, as well as to feel assured that vigor and energy characterize the Administration.
In the churches to-day, prayers were offered for the success of our arms during the war. The desire for taking Washington, I believe, increases every hour, and all things, to my thinking, seem tending to this consummation. We are in lively hope that before three months roll by, the government, congress, departments, and all, will have removed to the present Federal Capital.
A correspondent of the
Baltimore Exchange, writing from
Montgomery (Alabama) under date of April 20, immediately after the receipt of the telegraphic intelligence announcing the attack of the
Baltimore mob on the
Massachusetts troops, communicated the following:
In the evening bonfires were built in front of the Exchange Hotel, and from the vast crowd which assembled, repeated cheers were given for the loyal people of Baltimore.
Hon. Roger A. Pryor, of Virginia, had arrived in the city in the afternoon, and as soon as it was known, there were loud calls for him. His reception was most enthusiastic.
and some minutes
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elapsed before he could commence his remarks.
He made a brief but very eloquent address, full of spirit.
He is in favor of marching immediately on Washington, and so stated, to which the crowd responded in deafening and prolonged cheers.
At the “flag presentation” which preceded the departure of the second regiment of
South Carolina for
Richmond, the following remarks were made by
Colonel Kershaw on taking the colors:
Sergeant Gordon, to your particular charge is committed this noble gift.
Plant it wherever honor calls.
If opportunity offers, let it be the first to kiss the breeze of heaven from the dome of the capitol at Washington.
--
National Intelligencer, May 9.