The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-11-26

and TO fulfil their constitutional
faithfully in the future than they
have done in the rast.
Referring to the newspaper discussion Of the
subject, the american of Saturday 'does not hest
tate to express the opinion that the concerning of
'he Legislature, title present time, would be pre-
"mature, if not impoitic' To these reasons let us
add still more conclusive one, namely that it
would beimpossible. That it is proper the Governor
should Immediately issue call for the Legislature
to conveae at some early day, we have already
said. Had not the present political crisis
become complicated with financial one, we
should as we before intimated, not have deemed
it our duty to advocate an immediate call for an
extra session. preferrng that the Executive should
be brought by the force of circumstances, we
believe it speedily must, to that determination -
But the suspension of the Banks, and our wish to
guard the commercial and financial interests Of the
State against the peris involved in that step, de-
termined US, at all events, to point out this new
necessity for immediate legislative action; and |
while upon the subject we did not conceal our
opinion that it was imperatvely required, even
without this new occasion for such interposition.
in the suggestion. The suspension of 1851 was
not legalized, and no advantage was taken of it;
and therefore, argues our neighbor, the present
one may safely be let alone. Now there is some
weight in the position that laws are weakened by
their having been once broken without harm to
their violaors; but there is also much in
the consideration that the liberation extend
ed to first offence may cease upon a speedy
repetition of it. Cur code, wisely as we think,
imposes very heavy penalties on the refusal
of our incorporated Banks to redeem their obliga-
tons in con but if the fact that they failed to do
so few years ago, and went scathless, authorizes
the presumption that similar impunity will be
extended TO them now, we may rs well UNDER
stand that they are entirely beyond the reach of
the law, and can suspend whenever they please.
We DO not wish to be thought as objecting TO the
course which the Banks have just taken; but we
cannot conceal from ourselves that there was less
necessity for the present suspension than that of
1857 and that they have resorted to the measure
with much less hesitation, and perhaps with
greater unanimity now, than at that time. A
course justified in the first instance by absolute
necessity, next comes to be defended on
and by be continued on simple grounds Of
convenience and profit. We happen to know that
serious exception has been taken to the present sus
pension, by some of our best and most substantial
citizens, and whatever may be thought by others,
we cannot disguise our opinion that without i'm
mediate legislation, relieving them from the penal
ties already incurred, and fixing a very early day
for resumption, the position Of our Banks is full
of danger. The american may have grounds for
its ''confdence' that the Governor will not do his
plain duty in the matter Of the suspension and
it may also be possible that no individual within
the next twelve or fourteen months, from any one
of very large number of inducements, may ap-
ply for writ of scirc acias, to forfeit the charters
of our moneyed institutions. Upon such we'll
considered grounds these all the interests involved
may be content to rest. If so, having uttered
our word of timely and wel-meant warning,
shall not probably again refer to The subject in
his connection.
We will, however, add a few words in view of
the necessity which exists upon other grounds, for
speedy meeting of the Legislature. 1t will be
remembered that during last winter, Gov. GIsT
forwarded to Annapolis the resolutions adopted
by South Carolina, inviting the Southern States
to a conference. Regarding those resolutions as
looking towards concerted secession, they met
with little favor from either the Executive or the
Legislature of Maryland. Upon their reception in
the House of Delegates, Mr.. FREANER, leading
| Democrat, moved
"Tha the resolutions and letter dsunion be laid
the table qoith0at reading lie unwilling to hear the
word dsunion mentioned this floor, much less that
there should be serious consideration of so reasonable
project
In the same debate Mr.. Lone, of Somerset, an
other prominent Democrat, said:
"As to secession he had much fear of the ceiling
over his own head falling upon him. than he had of the
dissolution of the Union"
A few days after, on the same subject, Mr. Cor
DON, (Dem.) of Allegany, observed;
resolutions of South Carolina mean secession
he thought there constitutional right secede
On the other side of the House, the expressions
were just as strong, and on no question before the
Legislature, was there so much unanimity among
all parties as in manifesting fervent loyalty to
the Union. We think, therefore, that there can
be no reasonable apprehension that our Legisla-
ture, if called together, would not be at least, suf-
fciently conservative and very little likely to take
extreme Southern ground. In the comment which
we made at the time, suggesting that the South
Carolina resolutions should not be considered, we
said "there might be circumstances under which
''it would be improper and impolitc to decline to
"entertain such proposals as have been made to u.s.
"and when the dangers that threaten us become
''more imminent, and the invitation to consult
''about the means of avoiding them originates in q
'more loyal quarter, it will be right to take counse
Gin some such way as has been suggested with
"those who stand in equal jeopardy with ourselves
That the circumstances then suggested by us
have now occurred, we cannot doubt, and the
proposition which, coming at that time from
South Carolina, excited little sympathy, is
now one which, under the altered condition of af.
fairs, we should not only listen to with profound
attention, but which, failing to be presented from
another quarter, Maryland should originate her
SELF There is no State of the Union which could
with more propriey invite her sisters of the South,
to counsel together in a crisis which, however SUI
perindaced, cannot be ignored, ald which they
all feel through every fibre. The times are full
of danger, but firm step and clear bead will
ally make a dangerous path secure and easy. The
boldest course is often the most prudent and con-
sentative; and if Maryland stand aloof too long
she may soon find herself placed in the predicament
of choosing between alternatives which she might
otherwise have controlled. We have no doubt
whatever of the patriotism and good sense of the
present Legislature. No Baltmorean, at least
should be afraid to trust it. But we do not regret
that the call for an extra session would involve the
necessity Of choice of delegates from this city.
Under the present condition of things, Baltimore
would send representation of her best and wisest
citizens to take part in the counsels of the State,
and by the infusion of this new element the exist
ing Legislature would be all that any one could
desire, who is swayed by no other feeling, than
that of regard for the honor and welfare of the
Commonwealth.
ANOTHER CENTRAL AMERICAN CoNFEDERAcY
PRoPosED.---President Martinez, of Nicara-
qua, in proclamation thanking the people for
their patriotic efforts during the recent llibuster
excitements urges the necessity of the five repub
lies of Central America becoming consolidated, Tor
their greater strength and security under the title
of the Republic of Central America, and offers, for
his part to lay down all his authority at the feet
a central government
ANOTHER CorroN STATE.-The total cotton crop
l. Corol;no for he last wear. hun