The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-12-28

ness cards inserted, can be accommodated by
eaying their orders at the Counting room during
the day.
The most intense excitement was aroused here
Yesterday morning, by the news Of the abandon
nent of Fort Moultrie. Crowds of citizens
thropped around the bulletin boards of the vari-
Gus newspaper offices, anxious to CLEAN every item
of intelligence that had come to hand concerning
so important matter as the evacuation, by the
government forces Of one of the Federal Forts.
MANY who had up TO that moment, refused 10 be-
lieve that South Carolina was prepared TO resort
to every extremity, in order to maintain her new
position, were startled to find that the temper and
determination of her people, were such as to deter
mine cool and resolute officer to spike his guns,
and withdraw from the fortress he commanded.
Most of those therefore, who have been clinging
to the belief that the seeding State would not
risk the chances of collision with the General
Government, yielded Yesterday for the first time
to the conviction, that the threats Of the South
are something more than buster, and that the Sc
cession movement bids fair to be something more
than chids play. In others, however the news
created no surprise, for they had long ago recog-
nized the seriousness of the prevailing agitation,
it would ultimately result in fearful consequences.
1t is to be hoped that the people of the North will
now accept the conclusions to which the events
that transpire from day to day, persisently and
SO obviously point. 1t is to their inability or
willingness to realize the character and magnitude
of the crisis in which the country is involved,
that our present complications are in great mea-
owing. They have from the first grossly misap
pretended the views and feelings of the residents
of the slave States, and msinterpreted every oc-
currence they have undertaken to criticise. The
Republican journals especially, have as we en-
deavored to show the other day, manifested
strange incapacity to read facts Alright, They
have taken all imaginable pains to demonstrate to
their readers, that the revolutionary proceedings
in the South amount practically to nothing. They
asserted, when the proposition for State Conven-
tons was first preached, that it was the idle talk
of disappointed politicians, and they insist now,
that the secession ordinance of South Carolina
is scarcely worth considering. The most i'm
portant document which the people Of that or any
other State have put forth since the Revolution, is
treated as if it had emanated from number of
rebeous school-boys. One leading paper, the
New York Times, has striven to dIspel any unea-
sness which the passage of the ordinance may have
caused, by showing that the relations of South
Carolina to the Union will remain unaltered not
withsanding that decisive act Of the Convention.
The Federal Government, says the Tines has
only to station ship off the harbor and collect
~ Al. g
out of the Concderacy, she will in effect, if not
in theory, be as much within it as ever This
condition Of things might, the Times assumes,
last forever. The utter ignorance of the real posi-
ton aud intentions of South Carolina, which these
views indicate, is almost incomprehensible The
idea that South Carolina, when she has finally
perfected her scheme of secession would suffer the
General Government to collect the revenues off
Charleston, and would not retaliate by some hos
tile act against the Government, is simply prepos-
ferrous That collision would ensue at once no
sane man in this community can doubt, and yet
the Times is urging the public to believe that the
only effect Of the secession ordinance will be to
transfer the Custom House, at Charleston, from the
quay to ship in the ong. If this sort Of deluson
lasts much longer, the revolution will he consum-
mated before the country is fully aroused TO
sense of its danger. Knowing that there was lit
tie chance of anything like Cancellation or COM
promise from the North while its people entertain
ed any erroneous impressions about the earnest
ness and strength of the secession movement, we
have labored TO uudeceive them. Believing that
the people Of the Cotton States would withdraw
from the Union unless their complaints were lis
tened 10 and their wrongs rodressed and believing
moreover that they would resist desperately any
attempt to coerce them, we have felt from the
outset that the Union was in imminent peril and
we have slriyen to awaken Others to a knowledge
Of the fact, in order that some action might be
taken to avert the impending ruin. We sincere
ly trust that the people of the Union, and more
especially those Of the North will cease to under
rate the fearful import of the issues that now con
front them. The events at Fort Moulrie ought
to convince them Of the seriousness of the struggle
upon which the South has entered; but if the
warning is neglected, the guns of Fort Sumter
may give the next intmation TO the country of the
progress of the revolution.
Concerning the object of the moveuont of Major
ANDERSON, we can, as at present informed say
ders from headquarters, or consulted merely his
own judgment, the step he has taken must be con-
ceded to have been a wise and prudent one. He
could not with the force under his command have
defended both Fort Moatrie aud Fort Sumter and
by retiring to the one which is not only the strong
est in itself, but is the key of the position he has
rendered an attack upon his post less probable
NJ nd has in, q
better situation to resist it. What the purpose
of the Government may be, if we are to
consider the evacuation of Fort Moultrie as
its act, we are unable to divine. Wheth-
er it intends after the garrison has retreated to its
last stronghold, that the latter shall, when assail-
ed, be vigorously defended surrendered, it is
difficult to say, But whatever may be its final
purpose, it is evident that it desires TO avoid as
long as possible any conflict with the State au-
thorities It's conduct is in this respect most ju-
dicous, for a collision between the Federal troops
productive of the worst results. If the Govern.
ment had reinforced the forts at Charleston month
or six weeks ago, it would have had no cause for
anxiety now. But its position is, as
the matter stands, extremely unfortunate;
for if it ventures to strengthen them such an at
tempt WILL it is to be feared, create the widest ex-
element, and if it undertakes to defend them
against an attack, which their weakness may per-
haps invite, the effect of such struggle upon the
people of the South can be readily foreseen. But
we need scarcely speculate about the future, for
events are moving forward SO rapidly that we can
hardly give to each day occurrences the atten-
ton they demand We hope for the best; but,
from the present aspect of affairs we are compelled
to fear The worst.
The BORDER SrArEs.-The Hon. j. P. KENNEDY
mas just put forth brochure with the above title,
q copy of which has hoa, Io;J ~, o,r t,bIa