Winds of War (Part 4) January 1861

New York Correspondence

Chenango American, January 3, 1861

Eds. American:  With this day closes the year A.D. 1860, a year of great events in the history of our country. Whether the incoming year will be equally as exciting and tumultuous as the old, is yet to be seen. At present the tumult seems increasing and all the tumult seems increasing and all hope of a peaceful solution of the sectional difficulties appear to be at an end. The headlong precipitation with which the hot heads of the South are moving give no appearance of moderation in the future. The latest dispatches from South Carolina announce, first, the masterly movement of Major Anderson, in transferring his command from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumpter, where with his hand full of men even, his position is impregnable.  Second, the rage of the secessionists at the success of the movement; then the raising of the flags of rebellion over the Custom House and other public buildings at Charleston.

On Saturday news came of the seizure of a U.S. Revenue Cutter.  If this last outrage is not an act of treason, what is it?  We also hear of the arrival of Commissioners from South Carolina At Washington, accredited to the President for the purpose of demanding the transfer of Federal property to the rebellious State, and also authorized to make other demands equally preposterous and insulting to the government, that is if our present form of government can be called such.  In most of the civilized countries of the globe such gentlemen as the Commissioners in question would be speedily brought to their senses, by being taught that the emissaries of traitors are equally as guilty as the abettors of treason, and instead of being received as distinguished gentleman from abroad, would only be entitled to the hospitalities of the common hangman.

The idea has gained ground that this secession movement which has two such strenuous supporters in the President's Cabinet, was started and urged along to its present fervid heat, for the purpose of covering up the great frauds which have been lately exposed at Washington; the idea is not so improbable one, and is deserving of earnest consideration.

It was announced on Saturday, that today (Monday) the President would send a message to Congress setting forth all the facts connected with the affairs now transpiring at Charleston.  Secretary Floyd one of the rankest secessionists in the Cabinet resigned on Saturday. The resignation will tend to strengthen, rather than weaken the  Administration.  Gen. B.F. Butler of Massachusetts, is spoken of as his successor; if so the appointment will give satisfaction.

The Senate Committee on the State of the Union has failed to agree upon any definite mode of arranging the present difficulties and has requested to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.

The Committee of the House of Representatives still hangs fire, but will come to no conclusion on which to make a unanimous report, therefore their labor is lost.  I think stormy times may be looked for during the next ten days.

In this city I can speak from a personal knowledge of facts, and the feeling against secession is almost unanimous, and there is a silent and stern determination not to allow a dissolution of this Confederacy except it be done by superior force of arms on the part of the South.