The
Washington dispatches, which, in the total absence of any official announcement of the intentions of the Administration, are the only vehicles of intelligence, give various rumors and surmises concerning the warlike preparations at New York, and their purpose.
The following are from the
Herald:
‘
Strange as it may appear, it cannot be concealed, that the belief in an impending attempt to reinforce
Fort Sumter is not weakening, as might be naturally supposed in view of the progress of the offensive preparations of the revolutionists, but is steadily growing.
But I still deem it incredible that the Administration has any idea of wiping out its past sins of omission by such an enterprise at this late hour.
’
Mr. Seward is incensed at the course which things have taken.
He feels that he has been trifled with and used as a cat's paw by the Administration, and that the latter are imposing upon the public, and undermining confidence and the national prosperity.
He does not hesitate to express his entire disapproval of a coercive policy, and to say that he is not responsible for any measure which tends to bloodshed.
He has, however, been compelled to succumb before the superior weight of
Messrs. Blair and
Chase, who rule the
Cabinet.
Neither
Seward nor
Cameron can retain their places long.
The latter may not resign at once; but the former will find his position untenable, and be forced to do so before the lapse of many weeks.
He looks pale and haggard, and is worn out by the anxiety of mind and body he has lately endured.
His want of moral courage and slowness of decision are greatly to be deplored.
Had he the energy to step forward into an independent position and denounce the treachery by which he is surrounded, he might still make himself the rallying point of such a conservative party in the
North as the exigencies of the period require.
The belligerent attitude as unexpectedly assumed, and the indomitable secrecy maintained with regard to the movements of troops, have led to all sorts of speculation in the barroom and club-rooms of the
Capital, but the knowing ones have come to the conclusion that the reasons for these sudden movements are:--
First.
The result of the municipal elections in
St. Louis,
Cincinnati, and other parts of the
West, and in New York; and the loss of two Congressmen in
Connecticut, and two in
Rhode Island.
Second.
The efforts of some of the
Western politicians to infuse backbone into
Lincoln, so as to satisfy the
Northwest that the
Government is determined to secure to them forever the free navigation of the
Mississippi, which they are afraid of losing.
Third.
The fear of their being compelled to repeal the Morrill tariff in consequence of the importation of foreign goods being made through the
South under the low tariff of the Southern Confederacy, and the consequent loss to the party of
New England and
Pennsylvania in the total annihilation of the principle of protection.
These are the propulsive forces that are driving the
Lincoln Administration to
Fort Pickens and the devil.
It is a notorious fact, that the
Black Republicans who are most anxious to produce a conflict are those who have at different times been slapped in the face, or otherwise insulted for their insolence or indecent language, and who had not the courage or manhood to resent it. They think that by the aid of the
Government the Republican party will be able to conquer and subjugate the
South.--These miserable men are the very last persons that would fight when the day of battle comes.
The President, the
Secretary of War, and the
Secretary of the Navy, were in consultation at the
White House this morning.
The President subsequently attended church at
the Rev. Dr. Pynar's.
