The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-12-29

Those who are opposing special session Of the
Legislature have sedulously endeavored to create
the impression that the advocates of that measure
either favor the dissolution of the Union or ap-
prove of the course which South Carolina has Ia
ken to secure the redress she demands. State
ments to this effect have been made here, and re-
iteratedsabroad, until they have come to be be-
leved in various quarters, and the press of other
States is beginning to speak of those who have
desired the Governor to exercise his prerogative
as the secession party. No accusation was ever more
unjust, and rs it touches u.s. perhaps, as nearly as
it does any one else, it is proper that we should
at the earliest moment, free ourselves from such
reproach. There are not, to the best of our
knowledge and belief, as many as five disunion-
lists to every hundred men in Maryland, and with
that mistaken and insignificant minority
we do not sympathize. The people of this
State are, with no less unanmty than
loyalty, in favor of the preservation of the
Union, and none among them more anxious
for its permanency, than those who have urged
extra session of the Legislature. 1t is solely be-
cause the existence ofthe Republic is threatened,
that they wish the representatives of Maryland
people of the Cotton States were both resolute
and strong, and they saw from the first, that an
issue was presented to the country, which
must sooner or later be met. They prefer,
therefore, ID act while it Is in theil
power to control events, rather than wait until
the revolution has swept over them and forced
them into mere struggle for their own safety
Our insecure position, too, is subject
well worth considering, and one to which or
State Government can scarcely give its attention
too soon. The excitemen throughout the nation
is growing day by day; and though we shrink
from a recognition of so hideous fact, we are
compelled nevertheless to concede that We may bt
at any moment precptated into civil war;
Situated as we are geographically, we should have
to bear the first brunt of struggle for which We
are utterly unprepared, and in which we would
therefore play helpless part, and consequently bt
the greatest sufferers. What the Legislature
would do at this juncture, we cannot pretend tc
say; but there may be much preliminary
legislation required at its hands, in con
nection with the crisis, before it woult
be necessary to call Convention OF the PEG
ple. It is, then, in view of the obligation
of the State Government to protect Maryland, a
we'll to defend the Union, that the extra session
of the Legislature is, in the Judgment of the grea
majority of our citizens, so advisable.
Nor is there, we conceive much difference 0
opinion here in regard to the action of South Car
DINA. The people of this State know, and nom
know better than they, how grevously the Soutl
has been wronged by the ceaseless aud violent an
t-slavery agitation which has been kept up in tn
North They fully recognize the justice of tn
complaints which the slave States have preferred
on this score, and they do not propose to abandon
their Constitutional rights. They are ready ant
willing to make common cause with the South il
repelling any aggressions upon their institutions
They are equally ready to insist upon guarantee
which shall prevent such aggressions in the future
But the incorporating attitude OF s0us