The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-12-12
BALTIMORE.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER II, 1860.

Notwithstanding the "gleams of sunshine
which some hopeful observers think they see
breaking occasionally athwart the political skies,
the storm of revolution is coming nearer and
growing blacker. The cloud which but short
time since was as speck upon the Southern hori-
zon has already overspread the zenith, and is
rapidly rolling Northward. No one now VEN
lures to deny the imminence of the danger that
threatens US, and the few sanguine patriots who
are still confident Of the ultimate preservation of
the Union, are compelled to admit that they have
not as yet the remotest idea of the manner in
which that wished for result is TO be brought
about. The people everywhere are aroused to a
full sense of the perilous situation of the Repub.
lie but they have not been awakened to the
necessity of taking prompt and decisive action to
it, And it is TO this latter fact that our ruin,
if ruin does overtake us will be mainly attribute
BILE There is work to be done and we are leav.
ing it to reckless hands-extreme men are active
and the more conservative and patriotic classes of
the country are unmoved-the excitement of the
times has Ioosei the tongues of many demagogues
and FOOLS and has apparently parayzed the voices
which should speak words of wisdom and counsel
moderation. The more uucompromising enemies
of the Union, both North and South, are devils
ing such measures are best calculated TO secure
and hasten its dissolution, while the loyal people,
who are most interested in its preservation, have
for the most part not even asked to be
heard in its behalf. Can we, then, an
ticipate anything but disastrous ending
of the struggle which is going on around us?
What can we expect but the speedy fall of the po-
litical fabric which we have so often volunteered
our readiness to defend or how can we hope to
escape unscathed, as we stand inertly by and
await the crash? OF all the laggards who have
failed thus far to assume their proper position in
this controversy, the people of Maryland have
the most TO answer for. They are, perhaps
more nearly connected with both sections by
those ties which men regard as hottest,
than the inhabitants of any other border
State, and they are more liable than any
other to be crushed in the conflict if such should
ever unfortunately take place, between the North
and South. OF all the border States, Maryland
ought to be the first 10 speak and The first to act
and she will probably be the last. A large number
of her citizens though the same may be also said of
other States, have been, and are now and always
will be, far behind the fearful questions of the
hour. They are ever at point which has been
long since passed by the revolutionary movement
with which they wish 10 grapple. They will come to
the conclusion that Convention of the Southern
States is desirable only after the inexorabe logic
of events has demonstrated the futility of such a
proposition-and they will advocate the calling of
our Legislature, in the hope of saving the
Union when the withdrawal of four or five
States has convinced them that the Union is in
danger We do not mean to cast any reflection
on the great body of the people of this State; but
we do say that the class refer to not only exists
but is regarded abroad the exponent of the feel
ings and views of the people ofthis State We take
the liberty, therefore, of suggesting, that unless
some instant assurance is given them of an
intention, the part of the Executive,
to call the Legislature together, at an early date
it will be absolutely incumbent on the people of
Maryland to resort to some mode of expressing, at
this juncture their opinions upon political affairs,
and Of preparing for the contingencies of the flu
ture. If we can do nothing to save the Union,
we can at least protect our own interests, and get
ready 10 defend, if need be, our own honor and
shape our own destiny. IF we stand still much
longer, it will be too late even to make any eff
Gent preparation for the future. But we cannot
afford to be thus recreant to our present obliga-
lions and former reputation. Maryland must take
brave and decided stand in this great struggle
She cannot allow herself to be made the plaything
of the storm, and finally, like q wreck upon her
own Chesapeake, be drifted Northward along the
Susquehanna, or Southwark across the Potomac.
as the chances of wind and tide may determine.