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

Among all the indications of disloyal and
reasonable spirit at the North, we have seen
nothing which has impressed us more unfavorably
than the comments Of the Republican press upon
the recent UNIos-Neetings held in Boston and
Philadelphia, and upon the call which has been
issued for a similar meeting in New York
Without exception, these patriotic demonstrations
are ascribed to motives purely sordid and mer-
cenary. They have originated, it is Charged
either in selfish considerations of mercantile
profit and trade, or in desire 10 forward
the success of the Democratic party or the pre-
tensions Of some particular candidate for the Pre-
sidency. The meeting in Philadelphia is pretended
TO have been gotten up in the interest of Governor
WISE, and that in Boston, in the interest of Mr..
HUNTER, or, according to others, in that of Ex-
President PIERCE. Various conjectures are haz-
arded as TO the influences which will control the
demonstration in New York, and various differences
are drawn from the rejection of Mr. HAvEMEYER
rs a member Of the Committee of Arrangements,
and the accompaniment of Mr.. WOOD. OF the
respectable gentlemen who have signed the calls
for these meetings, and whose names figure
in the lists of Vice-Presidents and Secretaries,
1t is said, that the majority of them are
hoel-keepers, who desire to attract Southern
travel to their houses, or shop-keepers who
seek Southern customers for their wares. No
credit Is given to anybody for one iota of
honesty or patriotism, and the whole thing
Is set down as originating in desire-for personal
or party ends-to curry favor with the South.
To say that the names Of the useful and respectable
WI oti arntb
sufficient contradiction to the SANDER, is not
enough. To assume that this Language of the Re-
publican press is mere badnage-uttered more in
Jest than in earnest-isef designed for political eff
feet and believed neither by those who use it, nor by
those to whom it is addressed, may be charitable
butts scarcely reasonable wise. Such words how
ever lightly meant or tiippantly uttered, have an
effect which it is useless TO underrate-a
significance which it is impossible TO mistake
Usually, both in nations and individuals, admira-
ton for Virtue survives Virtues self. The worst
men, for the most part honor and respect in
Others the noble traits and qualities which they
conscious that they do not possess
themselves. Disbelief in the possibility of
Virtue, argues low state of morals in the
individual or community protesting such scep-
ticism. Few men have an experience of life
so unfortunate as TO drive them to the conclusion
that all men are knaves, and they who voluntari-
ly adopt it, or publicly express it, inevitably ex-
pose themselves to the suspicion of Judging others
by themselves. Some such stage of demoraza-
ton seems to have been attained by the Republic
can press. Among those public men at the North,
who profess love for the UNION and loyalty to
the Constitution, there is not one honest--no not
one Among the thousands of quiet and decent
men Of all classes and all avocations who
have sought an opportunity of setting the seal of
their condemnation on the manifestations of SYM
pathy with Old Brown and his treason, which
we have lately witnessed-and of testifying pub
lcly 10 the existence Of a sound and conservative
sentiment among the masses of the people of the
North-there is no other or higher motive than a
desire to retain the custom of Southern merchants
and to avert the displeasure of Southern poll
ticiansl Upon the utter inconsistency of which
such language convicts the Republican press and
party, it is unnecessary to comment. They tell
US, that except a few fanatics, nobody at the
North justifes or approves BRowN's treason,
however many may admire his fortitude and de-
plore his fate-and when any considerable number
OF their fellow-ctzens meet together in public for
the purpose of giving to the South substantial as
surance OF that fact-they tell US not to believe
them that they are all hypocrtes and larsl The
pernlciou5 effect of such line of conduct on the
part of the Republican journals can hardly be over
stateu. Al tue south, 1t is calculated to keep
alive feelingof perpetual suspicion and distrust
AT the North Its tendency is to lower the standard
of political morality and to accelerate the decay OF
public spirit and patriotism. National sentiments