The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-02-06


We sincerely hope that the resolutions trans
mitted to our Legislature from that of South
Carolina, may be as speedily as possible consigned
to 81 livion by those who are invited to take action
upon them. Notwithstanding all the magniloquent
fourishes we hear about the sovereign States and
the respectful consideration to which propositions
emanating from them are entitled, we should have
been delighted if these resolutions had been laid
upon the table without discussion. The times, it
is said, are full of peril, and if this be so, one
downright, honest and manly action, will do the
country more service than hundred constitutional
arguments or eloquent appeals. Our safety, and
the preservation of the UNION, should be our first
care and any questions about the dignity of
sister State can be settled afterwards. If the
people of Maryland value the prosperity of the
Republic above all things else, as we believe
they do and if, as must be the case they do not
vet recognize the necessity of preparing for dis
ruption of our coniederacy, they should act
decisvely and quickly. They can do more to pro-
mote the permanency of the UNION by promptly
refusing to debate the probability of its dismem-
berment, than by passing long preambles in which
their duties and desires are explained and enlarged
it would be improper and impoltic 10 decline to
entertain such proposals rs have been made to us
and when the dangers that threaten us become more
imminent, and the invitation to consult about the
means of avoiding them, originates in more
loyal quarter, it will be right to take counsel in
some such way rs has been suggested, with those |
who stand in equal jeopardy with ourselves But
sS the horder STATES n,pSt hear tho hr,,nt ~ sub
assaults as may be contemplated, or are likely 10
be now made against the institutions Of the /
South, they should be permitted to take the 1
initiative in arranging their measures Of defence /
They are not yet frightened, nor arc they ready /
TO relinquish the hands which are trateruallv ca
tended TO them across their Northern borders ,
Believing in the integrity and patriotism, ot the
great mass Of the people Of the free States they .
approach them with the consciousness tina, 6y,a .
and dignihed appeal in the present crisis will no; Re
unanswered. While we are occupying this position
and laboyins to alay the uutoward sNatomea;
which has reached so unexampled q pitch or
Southern ally must needs unfurl her banners au3 .
incte foolish men 10 further trcazy Nv sounding .
vain alarums and p3vaiiaE III ;ha nsrcn,y u wav. +
We have, II IS ,;at. sa,,s- s?,a 81 ,eAac-v cara-
plicstiou 4 o.z politics, Ss4S bat : tlai ar s-
r-aociira-r srg-i 81 ~ Aiss5-v n the canr--cs
Thar : =, -t-;5 Ur5a- ;he san ,hat is TO Qa-@-
-@,,a ,-naa Ter ~ ssragcic against sra-rns
v-5at -1~sster rs destruction ana No governments
1-v s~ss, THAI have nat more shar ones w..h-
q zlu >sntu~r beer shaken lr 5ha- foundations
i s. OH gooG fn-tuue 10 havs eSc@na5
-:slntnre az sucr serious sbochs Is have levaa5
1-r3.us and -aDunlicE Il the al5 word ana The
r:-ET W nus 5aa- v5-t D.w : n.t VIII
-,-s -z=lT L u -ls--hl 70 1tis Rs.-tlic tAa-
;1os= Z rs v-,-=-aa5 E-ras5T- Th= fz1E-5.s WI. .
would -ss-,i = desperate Ez-=-=s BIZ numbered
Q! 1111-=5z- T1--= IL sr-r5! Ea--io-: z5o Eo1l5,
for the lore .l=y bss- i; defend .he Union . he
last may be counted Up ~ millions. Notwith-
standing the ceaseless efforts that have been made
to infame the public mind, the whole country,
from end to end, appears to be at this moment in
q comparatively peaceful and prosperous state, and
it is impossible for any rational man to believe
that there is any breach between its people which
prudent and pacific counsels cannot heal But
these we are not likely TO get by consulting South
Carolina. The legislators of that State have but
one remedy for all political evils, and that is seces-
sion. Whenever their interests are in the slight
est degree affected by tariff duties or territorial
laws, they give notice of their intention to with
draw from the UNION Practical issues seem to be
OF secondary Importance TO people who are bent
on securing assent to their Interpretation of the
'nature of u compact" and the 'rights of sover-
'eign parties" The preservation of the most
magnificent empire on the earth, is to them a
trivial object compared with the triumph of the
abstraction they have so long maintained If
this was the first time that South Carolina had
endeavored to weaken the bonds of our confed-
eracy, the rash attempt might be entitled to
charitable construction even from those at whose
best interests the fatal blow is aimed But ever
since 1882, the most pertnacious and active efforts
have been made in that quarter, to convince men
that they owe but nominal allegiance to the
and that the moment is approach
ing when even that should be refused We do
not see that Maryland is under any obligation to
enter upon the serious consideration of such doc
trines They are utterly repugnant to the senti-
ments of our citizens, and, we believe, to those
of nine-tenths of the people of the country, who |
desire to cling to the UNION, both because they
revere it, and because they foresee the inevitable
ulSaSlerS tuat would OVertaKe the divided 2nds
hostile States into which its fragments would be |
resolved. Why, then, should they not unhesi- |
tatingly repudiate the insidious invitation to a |
sectional convention, which will assuredly do
much to promote disunion, no matter what may
the nature of its conclusions? 1t will weigh the |
chances of such a result, and familiarize men |
with prospect which now they would gladly
shun; and by the time it has adjourned the coun-
try will have been led, insensibly, to the verge of
the abyss where utter destruction awaits it. We
think we could demonstrate the certainty of the
ruin that would overtake both sections, but more
especially the South, if so fatal step should be
ever taken. We prefer, however, 10 regard such
an event as the separation of these States as
among the remotest contingencies of the future,
and to forego useless and dangerous speculations
upon so sad topic. And we hope the Legisla-
ture of Maryland will do likewise, and refuse to
entertain such propositions at the suggestion of
South Carolina.