The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-10-23

been weakened by the utilization OF many of hi;
supporters with the Republican organization
many men have been impressed with the i'm
por'ance of presenting, as far may be, an I'M
divided front TO the sectional party Of the North
Believing Mr.. BRECKENRIDGE to be the strongest
Of Mr.. LTNcoLSs opponents, they are everywhere
manestng a determination to give him theil
votes. Such is the aspect of affairs in the coun-
ties, and since the demonstration of last night
we are more than ever convinced that he is daily
receiving in this city accessions TO the number @
his adherents. There is every probability, there
fore, Of his carrying this State by handsome
majority.
The position of Mr.. BELL, in the present canvass,
cannot, we should suppose be less disagreeable &c
him than it is unsatisfactory to the people atlarge
IF he had been brought forward as the champion
of any specific measures or the exponent of any
definite principles whatsoever, he might accept the
overwhelming defeat that inevitably awaits him
with philosophical composure. Under such cir
cumstances, the mere consciousness of having ad
vocated any line of policy that was calculated to
lead the country out Of its endorsements would
alleviate the bitterness of his discontinue. But,
be denied him, for he cannot fail, after the strug-
gle is over to realize the fact that by his parci-
patton in it he only complicated contest which
his success would have brought no nearer to a final
settlement. He must feel even now that his atti
tude is not such as to inspire public confidence
and that his reputation as practical, far-sighted
statesman is imperilled by the course he has been
ind pe6 ~ Tn
emergencies that has arisen for many years, he
has offered himself to the people as their political
leader and at the same time he refrains from indi
eating either by any distinct proposition or sig.
nifcant suggestion the path by which we
may hope TO escape the difficulties which en-
viron us. Never before were the questions
that divide the country more explicitly stated
or more directly presented to it for solution,
and never before was any important issue so
impotently met as is the present exigency,
by Mr.. BELL and his party. The sententious pro-
gramme which is supposed to foreshadow the
course of the Federal administration in case Mr..
BELL should be placed at its head is altogether in
sufficient FOR the occasion. 1t may mean every
thing, and it apparently means nothing. ''fhe
Constitution, the Union and the enforcement of
the laws is q motto that answers well enough
for transparency, but scarcely affords clear
indication of Mr. BELL S proposed policy, as the
ton is at this jucture entitled and inclined to de-
mand. All parties have declared in favor of the per
manency of the Union and the maintenance of the
laws, and have protested their willingness to abide
by the Constitution. But what are we TO under
stand by the Constitution and what the rights of
States or individuals under ii? Very wide and
vital differences of opinion exist concerning the
true Interpretation of that instrument and though
each Of the other candidates for the Presidency
has frankly avowed the construction to which he
has determined to adhere, Mr. BELL is content
to leave US in ignorance of his views upon so
essential point, and at the same time he asks us
to rely upon his guidance for extrication from DIFF
hculties, which sometimes seem to be no less
insurmountable than threatening. The dissen-
sions which distract the country have grown alto
gether out OF the conflicting conclusions to which
the various parties have come in regard to the
right of Congress, directly or indirectly, TO pro-
hibit or protect the institution of slavery in the
federal territories and though it is now evident
that this whole question must speedily be COM
promised or in some way set at rest, Mr.
BELL has given no intimation Of the mode in
which he would attempt to bring about so desirable
a result. lie does not agree with Mr.. BEECKIN-
RIDGE, who holds fast to the bred Scott decision,
for he and his party have denounced the latter as
an extremist He does not approve of Mr.. LINCOLN,
who repudiates the ruling of the Supreme Court,
for he has repeatedly expressed his antipathy to
the Black Republican doctrines. He does not ac-
quiesce in Mr.. DOUGLAS theories-for when he be-
came candidate for the Presidency he expected
Mr.. DOUGLAS, as the Democratic nominee, to run
against him. Mr. BELL simply represents what
may be called the ''letalone'' policy. Hensiss that
the slavery question ought not to have been brought
forward as the leading issue in the canvass, and sug
gess that the people shall discontinue its further
agitation either in or out of Congress. That this
view of the subject is eminenty conservative and
patriotic we do not gainsay, nor do we doubt that
the country would best consult its true interests
by adopting it. But any expectation of this sort is
so utterly hopeless that it is hard to imagine how
any but the most deuded village politician can
pause to give the proposition serious con-
sideraon. The people Of various Northern
States have refused for fifty years past TO let
the slavery question alone. They have persisted
in discussing it and legislating about it in
Congress and in State and Territorial Legisa-
lures. A great political party has at last been
organized, whose cardinal principle is hatred to
the institution of slavery, and whose declared de-
sire it is to make the Union call free" 1t has
resisted, over and over again, the execution of the
fugitive-save law, and has deliberately repudia-
ted at Chicago, the decision of the Supreme Court
The South seeing that it must be involved in alb
soute ruin if any scheme of emancipation is un-
deraken by such men as the leaders of the Re-
publican party, is naturally enough excited and
alarmed at the prospect of Mr. LINcoLN's election
1t has determined to hold in check, if it cannot
defeat, the ultimate designs of the anti-slavery
faction. TO tell people, under such circumstances
that they should drop the further discussion of the
subject is 10 whistle to the winds Whether the
issue ought Or ought not TO have been made, it is
idle to inquire, for the undeniable fact that it
is the prominent and vital question in the
is staring in the face. 1t only concerns US now
to consider how the discussion between the North
and South may be most speedily healed, and how
all agitation this topic may be henceorth set at
rest. This result can only be secured by some
legislative act or judicial decision in which the
whole country will acquiesce. Men ''may cry,
peace, peacel' but there will be no peace until
some compromise is made, or some judgment is
rendered by competent tribunal which the people
of all sections will compel the uarrow-minded fam
atics and the ambitious demagogues alike to re-
snect Towards this end Mr.. BELLS counsels are
not likely to lead u.s. The conclusion of the pre-
sent disractng controversy would, in all proba-
bility be as far off as ever after his elevation 10
the Presidency. The political sentiment of which
he is the representative is certainly praiseYorthy,
but his position is not such as to command the
respect or confidence of those who hope that the
incoming administration will advance one step
nearer to some practical and final compromise on
the long agita'ed subject of slavery.
u-<>nsz--z-<<zz-=z~r.
The CHIRIQUI Coal FIELDS AGAIN.-A few days
since we published from the w ashngton Star an ar
tcle stating that the Chriqui Coal field offered for
sale to the Government, was cheat, and congrat-
uatng Congress on the rejection of the offer. We
find, on the other hand, in the New Orleans Picay
FIJI. ookc ,1r lotkor