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Warlike Movements.
The telegraphic news to-day leaves no doubt of the intention of the government to maintain, if possible, by its naval and military power, the control of its fortifications in the seceded states. The fitting up and distribution of the naval force for active service is reported to be going on with activity. The New York Tribune of Monday, asserts that the naval preparations making are intended for the relief of Fort Sumter. Other advices are that Fort Pickens, in the opinion of its commandant, needs no reinforcement at present, but that it is in condition by which it can be assisted, if necessary, at any moment.
A Washington dispatch brings information, indicating that the administration has fears of an attempt to seize the capital, and, therefore, is preparing to put the militia of the District on a war footing. While this is being done, reports are that the Confederates are active in marshalling military forces throughout the seceded states, placing them in position of vigorous defence, or, possibly, if a conflict occurs at Sumter or Pickens, to make an aggressive movement northward.
Civil war seems to be inevitable. If the telegraph is to be relied on, the effect of the government preparations, upon the border states, has been to produce much exasperation. The passage by the Virginia convention of a resolution declaring the consent of the people of Virginia to the recognition of the independence of the seceded states, was probably caused by the government naval movements. It was adopted by a vote of 128 to 20, and is significant of a change of feeling in the convention, in which body the Union sentiments had previously prevailed.
The present prospect is a most gloomy one; and we can see nothing to bid hope of a peaceful issue to our national troubles.