The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-11-23

A petition has been in circulation in Annapolis
and the counties, and has also been pub
lished here, the object Of which is TO
to urge the Governor to convene the Legislature
of the State in special session, at early day, in
view of tie extraordinary crisis in public affairs.
We have been aware of the movement, and had
a copy of the memorial in our possession,
but being persuaded that Governor Hicks could
not long shut his eyes to the imperative necessity
for this course we were disposed to regard any
interference with his action at this time at least as
premature, if not improper. We were not willing
TO assume that the Governor OF any Southern
State could be unmindful of the fearful march of
events and of the duties and responsibilities there
by imposed upon him. If he should practice
some delay, we were willing to attribute it to
q desire to allow the great questions APP
proachinr to define themselves q little more
clearly: but that Governor Hicks could have
contemplated the fact, that majority of the Le-
gislature differed with him upon old issues, as q
sufficient reason why he should not seek its advice
and cooperation upon matters which entirely
override all such considerations, was not to be
lightly supposed. If Maryland would not be an
object of contempt among her sister States, whether
of the North or the South it is incumbent upon
her, soon, to take her own position, whatever
may be the one which she desires to occupy. She
cannot shape the issues of the times by lodging
them, and the day for E'masterly inactivity" has
gone by. That the people of Maryland are con-
servatiye-that their love for the Union is pas
sion rather than mere calculation, we firmly be-
lieve, but yet we are as well persuaded that at
this juncture they will stand upon the prn-
ciples of the Constitution, and, making COM
mon cause with the South, demand their future
and entire ful6ment. The sooner, too, that such
views are announced, the sooner, in our judg-
ment, a favorable termination of the perils that
threaten u.s. will be reached, and in no way can
Maryland speak constitutonally and legally, as
she ought TO speak, except through her legislature.
The executive itself has no mode of giving effect to
lis own views except by message to the legislative
branch of the Government. If the present Legis-
lature, elected when no one dreamed of the ques-
tons now demanding settlement should not deem
itself entitled to speak for the people of the
State still lis action is necessary to authorize
a proper expression of their will.
All these considerations are so plain, and
in our Judgment imperative, that we could
not suppose they have till now escaped the
observation Of the Governor. We have, there
fore, thought it BEST regarding it as a mere
question Of time, that he should be allowed 10
choose his own, without extraneous pressure,
until at all events, the danger Of delay had become
more imminent.
But another subject, requiring the immediate
interposition of the Legislature, has just been
sprung upon us-involving millhGe of the State
tJrnp
-dteffts by the Banks. The provisions of the law,
in reference to this matter, of greater strin-
gency than existed, Or were generally known to
exist in this State, previous to the adoption of the
Code, and it would be extremely hazardous to
leave so much at stake as must-shoud there not be
an extra session, remain at stake till the regular
meeting of the Legislature, now more than year
off. AT this moment, the expediency and pro
priety of the measure of suspension may be gen.
orally acquiesced in, but it by no means follows
thatsuch will be the feeling of the public or of indi-
viduals, six months hence. The operations of the
Banks bring them into collision with every class of
men, and it is altogether imprudent to tax
it for granted that under the provocations of trade
or the influence of worse motives, action extremely
dangerous to the very existence Of our Banks might
not take place. The fact that the vacancy in the
delegation from this city and Washington county
must be supplied by election, would render it diff,
fcut TO convene session prior to January
next; and by that time the condition of our Fed
eral relations will be more clearly disclosed Con-
gress will have met the President of the United
States will have made his recommendations,
South Carolina will, probably, have acted, and
all the Southern States, and possibly all the
Northern ones, will have their Legislatures in ses-
sion. Under these circumstances which seem to US
scarcely to leave him choice, the Governor should
promptly issue call for session as early in the
next year as possible.