The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-12-03


citation whose members are pledged to abstain from
all social and business intercourse with the North.
The example thus set may, in the present state of
public feeling at the South, be followed at any
moment by the people of that section with an earn
estness and unanimity that would render the move
ment one Of sad and serious import. Certainly, if
the leaders and organs of the Republican party
fairly represent the sentiments of the mass of our
countrymen of the Northern States we might re-
gret, but could not be surprised at the step which
has been taken in Virginia We do not speak
of the principles Of that party, so far as they
are set forth in what are commonly called ''pat-
''forms," or explained in Congress, but con6ne
our illusions to the tone and temper it has latter
ly displayed, and which convey clearer meaning
TO us than we gather from its formal phrases.
1t is all very well for its Conventions to resolve
that they disapprove of any attempt to interfere
with the institutions of the South, and for The
Tribune TO protest that it desires only to carry out
policy which WASHINGTON and JEFFERSON once
favored for though we may dissent even then from
their conclusions, can dispute them without
rancOr. But when these protestationS are rendered
us with a look of hate and an air of defiance, we
show no undue distrust if we pause to weigh their
worth before confding in them If we have been
at all suspicious of this party, we think we have
not been sowthout good reason; for the very assem-
blages that have sometimes defined in plain
though becoming terms, their political principles,
have, during the sessions, boisterously ap-
plauded the most incendiary harangues, and
hailed with enthusiasm doctrines that breathed
treason against the South and disloyalty to the
Constitution. The Tribune, while affecting to
reprobate the acts of Brown and his companions,
has deliberately, and day by day, encouraged
their repetition. In its editorial columns it has
family condemned him, by admitting he had done
wrongful deed; but it has, nevertheless, filled
its pages with all the commendatory extracts it
could collect together in order TO prove that he
was doubly hero, because he was a martyr. 1t
has given a worldwide circulation TO the letters
received by the numerous agents who are en-
gagged in raising funds for his family, through a
hundred ingenious Devices or in securing mate
rails for the lives that many of them will find
their own profit in writing; and in this way it
has seduousy sought to awaken general SYM
pathy for the GLORIOUS" the ''noble,' the Egod
''like old man." In the long and frequent
communications it has published from its Charles
town correspondent, the murderer has been eX-
tolled as an exalted and righteous being, while
denunciation and ridcule necessarily
laviShed upon the people whose kindred he
sent to their untmely graves. No one can read
that paper, and fail to see that it holds BRowN
up to universal admiration, and regards his cause
as just and worthy of imitation. The Tribune
stands foremost, but not alone, in this equivocal
position; while multitude of journalists and pub
lie men, both lay and clerical, disdaining all dis
guises, have Landed the manner and purpose of
BRowN's invasion, and have discussed it amid al
ternate prayers and imprecations. EMERSON has
grown fervd on the rostrum, and BEECHER has
waxed frantic in the pulpit; and the direct ten
dency of their teachings has been to encourage
their hearers to bear no longer with their neigh
bors sins, but to extrpate them wi it'll fire and the
sword. We do not believe these TO be the views
of the great body of the people at the North. 1t is
because the conservative and right-lnnded portion
of them have no opportunity Of giving expression
TO their sentiments, that those of the fanatics pass
apparently unrebuked. The excited few rush
DANGEROUSLY to the press or PLATFORM and make
loud oulcry but the calmer and more thoughtful
many are content to be silent, trusting that the
tempest will in little while subside. They ought,
however, to bestir themselves, lest the mischievous
demagogues succeed now in creating sectional
ill-feeling that nothing can allay. The good and
true citizens, who wish still to abide by the pol-
cal compact our fathers entered into, can readily
make such manifestations of their power as will
prove that they still constitute an immense
majority in the North and this will be sufficient
TO discourage the zealots there, to reassure the
South, and convince the citizens of Richmond,
perhaps that their movement is at least premature
The times demand the display Of a little practical
patriotism. If the political leaders, in either sec
ton Of the country, have gone too far, the people
need not follow blindly those whom they are
under no obligation to serve. On the contrary,
they are bound to repudiate in a crisis like this,
all those, be they who they may, who have lent
themselves to the views projects of the extremists
whether in Massachusetts or in Mississippi, whose
narrow preiudices or selfish ambition have been
the cause of so much discord The perpetuity of
the UNION is worth all the sacrifices that can be
made to secure it. 1t is no mere sentimental de-
fusion that animates those who would uphold it.
A thousand glorious memories already lend
lusre to our nationality, and its future is big with
noble hopes for coming generations. We believe
the American people unwilling to forego the
destiny that awaits them, and we therefore trust
they will bring to speedy shame and destruction
the schemers and fanatics who labor for disSo-
luton of the UNION.