The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-07-16
BALTIMORE.
MONDAY, JULY 16, 1860


A very short time ago the Republican party in
dignantly disclaimed any affinity for the Adolf
tionsts. 1t repudated the doctrines of the latter
in the strongest terms, and repeatedly declared its
determination never TO NEEDLE with the institu-
ton of slavery in the Southern States. Its
avowed object was to prevent the extension Of
slavery into the Territories, and it denounced, as
slanderous the charge that it was disposed to at
tack the established rights of the South. We pre-
sumo there are few Republicans who would now
have the hardihood TO deny that their party is
rapidly approaching the point where the con-
verging lines along which Freesoilism and Adolf
tionism have heretofore moved, meet to separate
no more. All the active and influential Repuoii-
can leaders have assumed position very iar IN
advance of that which any moderate man "ouiu
have ventured TO occupy twenty years ago. If
We olance tbrouoh the speeches they have lately
delivered both in and out OF Congress, we find
that the constitutional question which is ostensi-
bIv the issue between them and us is treated alto
gether as matter of secondary importance. The
power of Congress- and of Territorial Legislatures
is at times coldy and briefly discussed, but il is
against slavery itself, and those who uphold it,
that the arguments and eloquence of the Republi-
can orators are mainly directed. The iniuuity of
the institution, the barbarism of the section in
which il exists, the brutality of the people who
maintain it, the suflerings Of the subject race, and
the sintulness of those who, from any cause what
ever tolerate it for moment these are the topics
which form the staple of the harangues delivered
Of NJ,
He, himself, has asserted that there can be no
more compromises for the States of the UNION he
says, Unjust beall slave or all Free Mr.. SEWARD
has heralded the advent of an rrepressible con-
fict, and LovEJoY in the House, and SUMNER, in
the Senate, have warned the country of the nature
OF the struggle which they desire to inaugurate
Language cannot be more explicit than were the
words of the latter last week at the Cooper Insi-
tute in New York. He avowed, amid great ap-
plause, his adherence of, and enmity to slavery
wherever it might be found, and he urged his
auditors to labor necessarily until the slave
oigarchy shall be FRUSTRATED so that it can
never more 'iasten upon the Constitution an in
depreciation which makes merchandise of men,"
and, until the Northern States, 'tjoning hands
together will become as belt of fire grit
'about the slave States, in which slavery must
"die." Animated by such sentiments and work.
ing for such an end he must and will assail the
established rights of the South whenever an oppor-
tunity offers, and they must be creduous indeed
who believe that such man will be turned from
his purposes by legal objections or moral scruples
1t is said, we know that Mr.. SUMNER does not
represent the mass of the Republicans, but this
iS hv tt,,Jo sc ,o4
are within the reach of every one for it can readily
be shown pm the speeches of every prominent
politician of the party, that they are all actuated
by the motives and are pursuing the policy of Mr..
LINCOLN and Mr.. SUMNER. Under such cir
cumstances the success or defeat of the Republican
party becomes matter of vast moment to rs.
While we do not believe the election of Mr..
LINCOLN will necessarily lead to a dissolution of
the Union, as his more violent opponents so conf
IDENTIFY predict it will unquestonably give rise to
an agitation such as has seldom shaken our con-
federacy. Though the good sense and patriotism
of the great body of the people may be relied on
to preserve the Federal compact unimpaired, the
task of restoring peace and confidence to the
South would be one of no ordinary difficulty if
Mr.. LINCOLN succeeds to the Presidency. What
ever may have been said of them heretofore, the |
fears of that section could not becaed groundless
If the extreme opinions of Mr.. LILCoLN are suffer-
ed to give direction, even temporarily, to the
measures of the national government 1t becomes
every conservative citizen, therefore, to exert him
self to the uttermost to compass his defeat
1t cannot be doubted that the popular
vote of the country will be largely against
him, but he has nevertheless, through
the division of his opponents, the fairest
chances of success. Unless the latter can unite
on one of the three other nominees, the probabili-
ties of Mr.. LINcoLN's triumph are very strong
Whether the distracted majority which is arrayed
against hm will, through its own divisions, permit
him to go into the Presidency, or will concentrate
upon one of the opposing candidates, are ques-
tions that ought to be speedily and carefully con-
sidered.