The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-09-06
THE COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS.

1t is well that the Presidential election is so far off
as to allow the people ample time to make their
choice between the opposing candidates and the con-
hicting principles that are announced from day to
day in different sections of the country If there
were only ''six RIcHMoNDs in the field, we might
soon determine where to strike, or what banner we
would follow. But where the rival claimants come
pressing in from every quarter, and may be num-
bered by the score, it is rather bewlderng TO those
VINO have not enlisted upon any side. The old
captains like DICKINSON and HUNTER, CRITTENDEN
and FILLMORE, HALE and FREMONT have not yet
donned their armor and ventured into the lists but
they have not, for all that, withdrawn their
pretentions. They stand by watching the current
of events, and ready to make their appeal when
the issue shall approach little nearer. Others un-
willing to waste the precious moments in inacton,
and not knowing how far the magic of their names
may suffice to bring followers about them when the
decisive hour comes are cautiously and actively
arranging their plans beforehand.
Senator SEWARD stakeshis hopes upon the ''irre-
'pressible conflict between the North aud South
and is busy tanning and feeding the excitement
which men must feel who are told they are to con-
quer or be conquered. Gov. WISE trusts to double
delegations in New York. and TO the fact that
"Virginia will be unit in the Charleston Con-
vention and has already issued his preliminary
orders to his aid-de-camp, the celebrated DoNELLY
Judge DOUGLAS, fearful that he may be overlooked
if he keeps silent for month, is out with his pro-
clamation in Harper, and in the crookedest and
dimmest way conceivable, has run the line between
Local and Federal governments. Gov CHASE avows
"and women" to lay to heart. The style of his
programme may be judged from his denunciation of
'the disposition of the Federal officials, as they
'now exist to carry into effect any law, no matter
show inhuman or cruel" Such is the KEY
note of the warning blast he is blowing in the
West. The Hon. JEFFERSON DAVIS is ex-
planning his lucid and luminous views to
the people of Mississippi He proclaims
that 'the victory of error is but for a day, the
'vigor of truth is eternal" and assures them that
he Gloves and venerates the union of these
Estates" but Gloves liberty and Mississippi
'more." With this somewhat disputable propo-
sition, backed by this unmeaning exposition of
the state of his feelings, he is riding among the
cotton fields, seeking public favor. He has
gagged the sentiments of the country, and taken
an accurate survey of its political condition. and
he thus clearly and scientifically maps out
the only courses which are left open for us to
pursue:
'Our countrymen have two paths before them either
of which the majority of the States the people are
free choose The one leads by the usurpation
and ortuOus construction, through dscord and civil
strife, destruction the best hope of republican
government. The other, through peace prosperity
by the perpeuity of the institutions inherited
to emnence which looks a continent of equal
sovereign, conederated States We believe
to the point at which that selection is to be made'
1t certainly simpfes matters to reduce them
to two alternative propositions, provided, as in
this case, we may construe either in any sense we
please. The Hon. JOHN MINOR BoTTs however.
is doing more than all the others we have mem
toned. He neither confines himself to letter.
writing or speech-making. Plying between Vir-
gna and New York, he dssemnates his views
of people and things both by correspondence and
word of mouth, at every opportunity and on the
slightest provocaton. He has covered broad
ground in his discourses. He is against the Ad-
ministraton all points, and in favor of economy
and virtue generally. Mr.. IvERsoN is predicting
our utter ruin in Georgia, and ex-Gev SEYMOUR
enlarges upon the happiness and glory of the
country, in Minnesota. Men and measures of every
conceivable kind and quality are being canvassed,
and criticised, and pulled, throughout the length
and breadth of the land. If the political cauldron
isto be kept boiling and bubbling as at present,
until two or three Presidential candidates have
emerged clear of the struggling politicians who
now strive TO reach and keep upon the surface, we
are likely to have dreary time oft. The mani
festoes already put forth have sufficiently taxed
the public patience, and if as seems probable these
are only the forerunners of a hundred still to come,
we look with absolute despair towards the advent
of 1850