The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-01-26
BALTIMORE.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1860

Il
sectional discussions in America and calculating
the chances of dissolution of our UNION. She
has begun already to speculate upon the probabi-
ty of her falling heir to some portion of our divided
Inheritance. Although we have little fear that so
untoward an end awaits us, we cannot but feel
mortified that the Republic has fallen thus low in
the estimation of the world A few years ago, all
Europe was maryelling at our prosperity, and
wondering whether there was any point of national
power and grandeur to which we might not
aspire. Our people dwet together in unity.
and were at peace with all mankind-plenty filled
the land, and our commerce whtened foreign
seas-education was steadily retaining the wastes
OF ignorance, and civilization, pressing forward
into the Western wilderness bid fair soon 70
subdue the whole broad continent. We were
anticipating the not distant day when continuous
line OF populous and thriving States would stretch
from shore TO shore, and the cycle of the Common
wealth be completed. Then would the world have
witnessed spectacle such as it has only dreamed
o. heretofore The petty wrongs and follies that
might have disturbed the passing hour, and the
political discords that might have ruffled the
Surface OF society, would have reminded us of the
necessary imperfectons of human institutions. but
would scarcely have been visible to those who sur
veyed the magnitude of our fortunes It was well
worth while for men to wait for such future and
to sacrifice their personal prejudces and ambi-
tons, rather than delay or leopard it. Such was
the destiny that apparently awaited US
But we are told now that our greatness has cul-
minated, and they who watch the political skies
most IL IOOl-t 70
cine towards the horizon. Certainly the signs of
the times are ominous. Denunciatons on the
part OF the North are met by threats from the
South, which full of meaning The unwar-
rantahle aggressons of the one side have aroused
a disposition in the other not merely to res st in
reference but to strengthen itself by extending
its own peculiar polity. The Abolition Societies
have increased in power and numbers throughout
New England, as they have steadily and openly
labored to sow the seeds of strife between sister
States, and to exasperate neghborng peoples
against each other. Audiences assemble some
where almost daily to hear orators reve their
countrymen, and the press is loaded with their
lmprecations; while in other quarters influential
leaders fan the flames of discord, and urge their
followers to betake themselves at once to arms
Legislatures have passed laws directly in conflict
with the statutes Of the Federal Congress, and
local authorities have forcibly resisted the officers
of the General Government when eudeayoring to
execute legal mandates. Blood has been shed
upon the soil of Kansas, and opposing parties
have only dealt with these murders as affording
subjects for mutual recrimination and abuse A
sovereign State has been invaded, and its citizens
have been slain by as miserable gang of ruffians
as ever tempted the halter and thousands of voices
have hailed the unkempt ruffians as heroes, or
blessed them as martyrs, and invoked mankind TO
emulate their tratorous deed. A Southern planter
turns pirate, and if the inhabitants of his State do
not applaud the act they at least permit him to reap
the profits Of his slave cruise and to go unpup-
ished. All these things have gradually embit-
tered mems minds more and more and it is not
surprising that the consequences of which such a
condition of things is naturally productive, seem
to be close at hand. While public feeling is thus
infaned, and has been melted to consider as enc
mics those who should be accounted as brethren and
public opinion has learned to contemplate, with
out being startled, the possibility of dissolution
of our confederacy-at such a time as this the as
sembled counsellors of the nation are wrangling in
an insignificant dispute. One patriotic resolution
UNANIMOUSLY acquiesced in by them would have
restored confidence to the country. Had they been
capable OF rising above the excitements of the
hour, or the prejudices of the districts from which
they come, it would have required no signal act
OF craftsmanship on their part to have allayed the
irritation that threatens to rise to fever heat But
they have spent week after week in cross-examin-
ing each other about their respective political pro-
cllvilles-in vilifying each others constituencies
in advancing the interests of Presidential candi-
dates, and in vapid and proftless discussions Of
all the questions, past and present, that have
caused the heart-burnings, which all good men SC
earnestly deprecate Such is the aspect we present
now to the world. Is it any wonder that cold and
calculating statesmen abroad should believe the
UNION to be drawing towards its dissolution p
They have been Schooed to place little faith in the
permanency of republics. They have studied the
rise and downfall of those of ancient days. and
they think they see the causes that wrought the
ruin of Rome and Athens in active operation
here. They say that Democratic institutions are
only advantageous and enduring when established
among sparse and virtuous population. When
people are crowded together in dense masses vice
becomes consolidated and powerful, as well as
virtue. Civilization itself introduces with all its
blessings, q thousand new sources of corruption;
and In proportion as it influences society. and
moulds it into artificial forms, it demands the CO.
operation Of Il strong government. Where this
does not exist, the reckless INSCRIPTIONS and
voient class will always, it is alleged, drive
orderly and honest citizens, directly or indirectly,
from all active participation in the affairs of State
Subjected to no control, save such as is self
imposed, democratic community will repeal
laws mat are npalatable-re ect measures that
are merely disasteful, and repudiate men who
refuse TO Halter 1t. We are told, moreover that
with the growth of the country, conflicting inte-
rests and dscordant views are continually on the
increase; and where the central authority is toe
weak to hold in check these elements of disorgan
Ization, 1t must eventually succumb. Govern
ment must then cease to be the representative o
anything but the tumultuous assemblaces of tn,
market places, in which the turbulent clubs, tn,
ranting demagogues, and the willy politicians. ar,
sure to obtain ascendency. We have been grad
ually, but surely, say those who have watched
our progress, approaching this fatal period, ant
our certain destruction, they contend, is i'm
minent They take note of the infrmi
ties that attiict US, and deny that there is publ,
virtue enough extant to heal them; they scan tn,
gulf that yawns in the midst of the nation, anG
doubt whether degenerate age can produce tn,
CURTIUs who shall close it. Are the analogie
which men discover in these comparisons between
US and fallen nations fllacious; and do they err
in their estimation of the desperate nature of ou
discussions, and of our consequent weakness? 1
Is melancholy to reflect that we have given thu
world ample justification for considering at thi
time these momentous questions; and it is still
more sad to acknowledge that we are somewha
uncertain about the answer uncompromising trutl
should make to them
THE OPERA COMIQUE.
simultaneously with the re-appearance of the
English Opera company at the Front street Theatr,
we are promised three nights of the French opers