The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-07-25

There are many people in the country, and we
confess we are of the number, who are far more
anxious for the defeat of Mr.. LINCOLN than soli-
citous about the success of some particular candi-
date We believe the principles he has avowed
will, in all likelihood, be productive of practical
results detrimental in the highest degree to the
peace and welfare of the country, while the vari-
Gus constructions of the Constitution for which
his opponents contend are, to all inents and pur-
poses, mere distractions. If Congress should pass
law, in accordance with the Chicago platform,
prohibiting the STAKEHOLDER from setting foot in
any of the Federal Territories, whether these lie
adjacent to the Northern or the Southern States
the latter would bitterly resent such aggressive
and unjust legislation. 1t cannot, we think, be
denied that the South has every right TO fear the
Republican Party would adopt some such measure
on its accession tC power, and the election of Mr.
LINCOLN would therefore, excite throughout that
section an agitation of which the consequences
may be far more disastrous than we now imagine
But from the election of any of the other candi-
dates there is, at least, nothing to be feared
Neither Mr.. BRECKENRIDGE, nor Mr.. BELL, nor r.
DOUGLAS would desire any action on the part Of
Congress which would have the remotest tendency
to produce dissension among the States. The
equal rights of all the citizens being recognized by
the Federal Government the power of Territorial
Legislatures would be referred to the Courts and
the emigrants from the States would soon settle
by legitimate process the question of slavery in
the greater portion of our common territories We
do not wish TO discuss now the relative merits OF
the candidates opposed TO Mr. LINCOLN, nor the
soundness or unsoundness of their different views
We would confine ourselves at present TO the one
single proposition, that for the reasons referred
to, the defeat of Mr. LINCOLN is of all other things
the most desirable at this juncture If the vote
OF the country, which will oppose his election.
could be concentrated he would be hopelessly
beaten, but if the adherents of the three other
nominees refuse TO abandon their respective
organizations, then Mr.. LlNcoLN's election is
probable, if not certain. II is proper, then to
inquire who, in case of Il coalition between the
anti-Republican parties is entitled to the general
support? 1t is clear, that other things being
equal the candidate or party which is strongest,
ought TO be the rayng point for the others. Let
us assume, then, that upon the slavery ISSUE the
views of Messrs. BRECKINRIDGE, BELL and DOUG
LAS are, in the main wnobjcctionable TO the coun-
try, or at ali events, that they are not such as
would lead the government TO acGuiesce in ag-
gressive or oppressive measures towards any one
section, and which of these gentlemen would then
be most entitled 10 ask The cooperation of all the
opponents of Mr. LINCOLN? As matters stand
now, there can scarcely be much difference of
opinion on this point Whatever may be the
prospects of his rivals, Mr.. BREcKINRIDGE unques-
tlonahly commands at this moment more strength
Than Messrs. BELL and DOUGLAS together. He is
as sure of the support Of eight len States at
the lowest, if the election had been al
ready held. He and Mr.. LINCOLN are
the only two candidates who could count
with absolute certainty upon receiving any con-
siderable number of electoral votes if the mat |
fer was to be determined tomorrow, and there is |
little chance that either will grow weaker as the
election approaches. Mr.. DOUGLAS is not likely
to carry single State unless his friends unite with
those of his rivals and by securing the success of
what are termed combination tickets, give him |
two or three States; while Mr. BELL has no we'll |
grounded assurance of success anywhere save per-
haps, in Maryland and Tennessee The contest ia |
to all appearance between Messrs. BRECKENRIDGE
and LINCOLN and the efforts of the other nominees
will be poweress except to decide the issue be-
tween these leading competitors. Messrs BELL
and DOUGLAS will, if they maintain their positions,
draw off votes enough to give several States to
LINCOLN, which he could not otherwise get, though
beyond this they will probably accomplish moth
ing. But whatever may be thought of these spec
ulatons about the future, the fact that Mr. BROCK
INRIDGE is at present the strongest of the cand-
dates opposed to Mr.. LINCOLN, is undeniabe-
Ought it not conclusively to determine the action
of those who are not welded to parties or party
names, but who are convinced that the defeat of
Mr. LINCOLN should be the primary object with all
and patriotic men2 We leave out of |
view for the time being Mr.. BREcKINRIDeE's claims
as honest and capable statesman, to the conf |
dence Of the country. We refrain in this connec- |
ton, from instituting any comparison between his
of the Constitution, and those ad- |
vocated by Messrs. BELL and DOUGLAS. We only |
speak now TO that class of people who are so ear
1estly DESTROYS to see the Republicans defeated, |
hat they would to secure that result, accept
heerfuly, the success of any of the last named
candidates. Have they who take this view of
matters any reasonable hope of keeping Mr. LIN
'oLN ous of the Presidency save by concentrating
their strength upon Mr.. BRECKENRIDGE