The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-08-23

Yesterday closed the first half-years existence of
this Journal and the first volume ofits publication.
To-day we enter upon new volume, and take
new start an occasion which we cannot let pass
without at least word or two of friendly acknowl
edgment for the many kindnesses which have been
extended to us in the past, and renewed assu-
rance of our steadfast determination to merit yet
larger measure of public confidence and support in
the future. Six months ago, The DAILY EXCHANGE
started into existence under circumstances which
while holding out strong temptation to ourselves
to undertake the enterprise yet did not fail to in
spre others with serious msgivings as to its sue
cess The want of public journal, which should
be essentially different in its aim and purpose from
any of the newspapers then existing in the city,
was generally felt in this community. 1t was con-
stantly remarked upon abroad, and as commonly
conceded at home. The various attempts, how
ever, which, during the preceding ten years, had
been made to supply that want had failed so uni
formly and so dsastrousy that mostpersons doubted
the possibility of carrying any such project, how
ever well begun to successful termination. 1t was
not surprising, therefore, that many even among
the friends of our enterprise for while held aloot
warm and halfway support, while its enemies, for
it soon found such, openly and confidently pre-
dicted its speedy and ignominious failure. In
spite, however, of the evil augures of both friends
and foes, the publication of this paper was COM
menced, and has been continued with increasing
prosperity and success to the present hour. 1t was
commenced at period of great financial prosra-
ton and utter stagnation in business, when men
were more than ordinarily disposed to be suspicious
of any new undertaking, particularly of one that
was to cost money. 1t was commenced, too, at a
time when there an entire absence of all politi-
cal excitement, and upon an Independent
basis, which at once deprived the paper of
that sort of sympathy and assistance, which
might have been derived from a connection
with any particular party, interest or clique,
and left it wholly dependent for success
upon its own merits. Entering the field under
circumstances so discouraging, and left to stand
or fall upon the sole foundation of its intrinsic
claims to public favor, TIE EXCHANGE has al
ready achieved, within the comparatively brief
space of six months what to some it may appear
premature to cell complete success but which its
prcprletors nevertheless feel emboldened to claim
as SUCH in view equally of its present position
and its future prospects. 1t is with honest pride,
that we this day point to that success which We
believe to be almost without parallel in the his
tory of newspaper enterprise. We do not ascrbe
it, of course, to our own merits exclusively; we
are perfectly conscious that the dement's of some
of our contemporaries have contributed not lit
tie to our own good fortune; yet we cannot but
refer to the fact being to extent, at least
a popular endorsement of the course of THE Ex-
CHANGE on the leading political and social ques-
tons of the day, and evidence that its views
have the sanction of some of the best and wisest
men in the community. The character not less
than the extent of our circulation, is to us, we
confess, source Of sincere qualification while its
steady and daily increase is such as to Justify us
in the belief that before the end of another half
year, that circulation, already larger than that
which any other new paper ever attained in this
city within the same space of time, will be second
only in numbers TO that of The Sun. For the
character and extent of our advertising list, we,
furnished by our own columns. Our indepen-
dence therefore, is not altogether, what jealous
and splenetic contemporary recently characterized
as ''the independence of sans culoes." 1t is an in
dependence of wholly different character from
any of which the american is capable of forming a
conception, or has ever afforded an illustration
that independence which arises from the possession
of honest convictions, and manhood enough to
utter them.