The refusal of the Secessionist mob in Charleston, to permit the return of Lieut. Talbot to fort Sumter, was an outrage exactly in keeping with the general course of the Secessionists. The following, copied from an editorial of the Baltimore Clipper, will show that at least some persons South of Mason and Dixon's Line hold the same opinion. Speaking of the understanding, that the condition of the forts should remain unchanged, it says:
"As far as the administration is concerned, there has been no change in their condition; but in the meantime the secessionists of the South have been busy in concentrating troops around them by thousands. They have put up new batteries and fortifications at every available point. They have availed themselves of the armistice, if armistice it was, to fortify themselves in every respect, and have openly outraged all the rules of modern warfare. In fact they have acted in bad faith, and have most infamously and cowardly broken the pledges that were proposed. They have said to the United States, let us all allow matters to remain as they are until there can be a settlement, and in the meanwhile they have been levying armies and erecting fortifications, which in a state of actual war the forces of the United States would have been fully warranted in attacking. They have asked a truce and have themselves systematically violated it. They have prayed for an armistice, and under the cover of a white flag have been preparing themselves for operations of both offence and defence. They are as they have been from the beginning the violators of the public peace and the fomenters of a civil war, and now they insolently demand that the stars and stripes shall be struck to give place to their miserable Palmetto and Pelican flags, and that two-thirds of the people of this great nation shall SUBMIT to the dictation of a few disappointed locofoco spoilmongers or fight for the supremacy."
There are 1,200 men under arms in Washington, 700 volunteer and 500 regulars. The Volunteer force can be increased to 2,000 at a few hour's notice. All the approaches to the city are guarded. There is said to be an organized disunion conspiracy in the District, with 700 men enrolled.
To-day, we offer to the public a specimen copy of our new paper, and upon this, our first appearance, it will be expected that we present something respecting our movement. In order that any new enterprise be thoroughly successful, it must be of some public utility. Our present movement we believe to be not only of great public utility, but an almost universal necessity. In this County, there is not a single paper issues oftener than once a week. The rapidity of events, now transpiring in our country, the vast importance of those events to every citizen, and the deep anxiety everywhere manifested for early and reliable intelligence, all indicate the fact, that weekly newspapers are too slow for the times, and that there is a demand for dispatch in discrimination of the news of events as they transpire. To meet this demand, the publishers have resolved to issue their paper twice a week, and in order to meet fully every exigency, have put the terms at the extremely low price of TWO DOLLARS PER YEAR.
While there is not another County in the Commonwealth, of equal population or Republican strength, that does not support from two or three Republican papers, Franklin has but one. We are fully convinced that two sound Republican papers can and will be fully sustained. The Democrats have two here, and certainly, if they can be supported, we, as the dominant party, ought to do fully as much, and we have the fullest confidence in the ability, zeal, and we may say, intelligence of the Republicans of Franklin County, to believe that they will uphold us in carrying forward our enterprise to complete success.
The constant aim of the publishers will be, to give reliable information of the general news of the day, at the earliest moment; to present, twice a week, matter of a choice literary character; to uphold and advance the principles of the Republican party; to give a correct semi-weekly report of the prices current, both of Chambersburg and City markets, thus rendering the DISPATCH essentially requisite to every business man in the County; and an agreeable and welcome semi-weekly visitor in every family.
At the extremely low price of publishing, it is necessary to retain, for some time, our present size; but the intention is, as patronage increases, correspondingly to enlarge the paper. We intend using none but good material; our type are all new, and as respect the mechanical execution, our present issue may be considered the sample, and speak for itself. Respecting the matter contained, we will only say that, when our exchange list is perfected, we shall be able to present to our readers a much fuller account of the general news of the day, than in the present issue.
The publication of the paper semi-weekly, together with the low price of subscription, must secure such a circulation as will render the DISPATCH the best Advertising Medium in Franklin County; and we are sure our friends will not fail to appreciate the fact and look out for their own interests, by liberally patronizing us.
The capture of Fort Sumter is the first bitter fruit of the vacillating and effeminate Administration of JAS. BUCHANAN. What other results may flow from it, is not to be foretold. The imprecations of a blood-baptized land will, probably, yet be heaped upon his head. May GOD protect the Right, and avert all such horrors from us, or if the worst must come, enable us to meet the emergency with true hearts and willing hands.
As our readers are aware, the Militia Laws of Pennsylvania have ever been very defective. Heretofore no emergency has arisen, which has not been promptly and effectively met, but in the present uncertain aspect of affairs, it become [sic] our rulers to look well to our guards, and render efficient every means for the public defence. With such views, Gov. Curtin has issued a message, from which we extract as follows:--
I recommend, therefore, that the Legislature make immediate provision for the removal of these capital defects; that arms be procured and distributed to those of our citizens who may enter into the military service of the State, and that steps be taken to change the guns already distributed, by the adoption of such well known and tried improvements as will render them effective in the event of their employment in actual service.
In this connection, I recommend the establishment of a Military Bureau at the Capitol, and that the militia laws of the Commonwealth be so modified and amended as to impart to the military organization of the State the vitality and energy essential to its practical value and usefulness.
With the deepest anxiety have the American people been watching the transactions of the Administration, since the inauguration of Mr. LINCOLN, with a view to ascertain our true position among the nations, and solve the question, "Have we a Government?" The conditions of affairs toward the close of Mr. BUCHANAN's career, rendered the question a most absorbing one. Treason stalked abroad in open day in our National Capital; plunder seemed to have become a ruling passion among our officers; he who could dive deepest in the robbery of the public treasury, and, and, in official acts, leave the treason of BENEDICT ARNOLD or AARON BURR furthest in the rear, seemed to enjoy the highest honors. Confusion reigned in Washington.
Since the new Administration has taken charge of the helm of State, in the short space of six weeks, order has been brought out of political confusion, the public offices have been filled with good and true men, a scattered army and a dispersed navy have been gathered together, the public defences have been duly cared for, and in every movement, our new President has thus far shown himself the man.
The consequences of all this firmness and manliness of President LINCOLN may be a war with the so-called Southern Confederacy; but it will merely be an earlier commencement that the end may be the sooner, and will, doubtless, under the Divine blessing, avert from our beloved land, those terrible evils of anarchy, toward which we were so rapidly and fatally drifting. There are worse evils than war. The question is solved, and the fact fully established, for which we nationally and individually should be heartily grateful to high Heaven. We have a Government. Let every patriot be firm in assisting to uphold and sustain it.
On yesterday, our citizens raised a Union Pole in the Diamond bearing aloft "The Star-Spangled Banner of the Free." It is 128 feet high, surmounted by a golden ball, with a Streamer floating to the breeze. When the Pole assumed an upright position, one long, loud and tremendous cheer from the crowd (numbering from 1800 to 2000) rent the air and made the welkin [sic] ring.
After raising the National Flag, a company of Ladies on the veranda of the Franklin House sung "The Star Spangled Banner" in a style worthy of their patriotism. Then, in response to the earnest calls of the assembly, Messrs. Reilly, Stumbaugh, McClure Brewer, Everett, Stinger and Welsh successively appeared on the verandah, and spoke in a style so thrilling and animating as stirred the very souls of their auditors, and so great was the feeling exhibited that the faces of many stern men were seen bathed in tears. Our citizens are "not wild with excitement," but stern determination is visible in every countenance.
Numerous large National Flags are stretched across our streets, while small ensigns wave at the fronts of many a store and delight every exhibition of that patriotic feeling, which we are sure is felt in the hearts of the great body of our people.
In anticipation of the departure of the Chambers Artillery, a Town Meeting was called and assembled in the Court House, last evening. The meeting was organized by the appointment of Hon. Geo. Chambers, President, and Hon. Jas. Nill, and D. K. Wunderlich, Esq., Vice Presidents.
An eloquent and patriotic address was delivered by the President. The greatest enthusiasm prevailed, and the following preamble and resolutions, presented by I. H. McCauley, Esq., were unanimously adopted with tremendous applause:
WHEREAS, A band of traitorous spirits, regardless of their allegiance to the Country of their birth, have for years past been plotting the dismemberment of our glorious Confederacy, the hope of struggling Freedom throughout the World and the asylum of the oppressed and down trodden of all Nations:
AND WHEREAS, Their hellish efforts have resulted in inducing the people of seven of the Southern States of our Confederacy to declare that they will no longer continue under the same Government with us, and to establish a rebel Government, under the title of the "Confederate States of North America," which Government has stolen the treasure, seized the Fortresses, and taken possession of the National Vessels, Arms and Munitions of War, belonging to the Union, and placed in their midst for the defence of our common Country:
AND WHEREAS, The said "Confederate and Rebel" Government, without just cause has marshalled [sic] its Armies, and treasonably made war upon the Government of the Union, by attacking an unoffending but gallant soldier and servant of his Country, Major ROBERT ANDERSON, and his forlorn hope of 70 noble rank and file, and by the aid of starvation and exhaustion, has caused him to surrender his post, though not without honor to himself and those who so faithfully stood by his side, but yet to the great chagrin or all true lovers of the Constitution and the Laws:
AND WHEREAS, The Arch Traitor of them all--the Benedict Arnold of the South--Jefferson Davis--the President of the so called "Confederate States" has boldly ad openly threatened to march upon the Capitol of our Country at the head of 25,000 men, and drive out the Constituted Authorities of the land, and seat himself in the mansion and Chair of State, sanctified by those noble Executives who have presided in past times over the destinies of the Republic:
AND WHEREAS, The President of the United States of America, in vice of these undeniable facts, in view of the hostile attitude of the said "Confederate States" towards Fort Pickens and the other National Stations South, and in view of the wide spread treasonable sentiment that surrounds the City of Washington, has called upon the soldiery of the nation, who are faithful to their Countrr [sic], without respect to party feelings or predelictions [sic], to the number of 75,000 to rally in defence of the Constitution and the Laws, Therefore--
The meeting then adjourned, and the volunteers were ushered into Franklin Hall, where a sumptuous banquet was prepared for them by the citizens of our town.
After supper, the Hon. G. W. Brewer, in a neat and appropriate address, presented a very handsome sword to Lieut. John Doebler, which was responded to on behalf of the lieutenant, by J. M'D. Sharpe, Esq. The Rev. Mr. Nichols was then introduced, and after a short but impressive address, closed the exercises with a fervant [sic] prayer in behalf of our noble soldiers and the cause they are about to defend.
The exercises of the evening were enlivened by music performed by the Chambersburg Brass Band.