The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-12-08
Fran the National TnteiliGencer, Dec ~
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE SOUTHERN


Profoundly impressed with the gravity and mar-
ntude OF the present crisis in our civil history vet
not despairing of the Republic, because not pre-
pared as yet to deny to our cOuntrymen capacity
for the enjoyment of that rational and regulated
liberty which has been distinctvely called Gamer
lean" alike from its peculiar character and its
wide territorial extension, we today invoke the
attention OF the Southern people, and (ifwe thought
a voice so humble could reach them, we
would addl of their Representatives now in Con
gress assembled, to proposition which we make
only after mature deliberation and under solemn
sense of public duty.
With the view, therefore, Of arresting the hands
already upited for the piecemeal dismemberment
of our body polite, and to the end that our fellow
citizens and compatriOts of the South may seek
solution of our present political complications in a
spirit of unity, and by method which shall rise at
least to the dignity of the occasion, venture to
recommend the assembling, at an early day, of a
Convention or Congress of Delegates, who shall be
appointed by the several slaveholding States, in
such number and in such a way as shall be deemed
most eXpedient for the purposes of mutual consulta
tiOn in respect alike to the dangers believed to be
impending, and the remedy deemed most ADEQUATE
to avert them.
state of suspense and uncertainty is of all con-
diOns, the least adapted to inspire sense of Sc
curity, as it is the least proptious to the consum-
nation of augh that involves deliberation in coun-
sci or vigor in action. While the apprehensions
that now disturb the repose of the Southern people
find vent in vague repining, the evil of the day
grows only more and more inveterate, under crcum-
oLduCeS tue ledSI 10 operate ltS cure
Where obscurity and division of opinion prevail
with regard to the nature and extent of the causes
that inspire solictude and of the wrongs hch call
for redress, it is apparent that the people of the
Northern States, however disposed they may be to
accommodate the outstanding differences between
the two sections, in no position to understand
the basis on which an adjustment may be reached
that will assuredly and finally satisfy their South
If the representatives of the Southern States
should meet in Convention for the mutual inter
change of the sentiment prevailing in each, we
believe the voice of wisdom and of deliberate vaor
would drown the cry of passion and of impetuous,
| hnrauSn hot and rosrntn courage. Acting under
sense OF their high responsibilities and conscious
that the eyes OF the whole country of the civilized
world were fixed upon them, the members of such
concIave could not afford to compromise their
position by advancing assumptions incompatible
with Union, because trenching the lust rights of
their Northern brethren. We believe they would
seek to discover a basis of fair and honorable ac.
commodation between the two sections long ar
rayed against each other, as we firmly believe
more from mutual misunderstanding of each
others opinions and tendencies, than from any
antagonism either Of principles or interests The
social, moral and religious principles of EACH so
lar as they are diverse, find full scope for develop
ment within the limits of their respective States
without coming at all in necessary conflict; while
nature, acting in concert with those varieties of
Industrial pursuit which beget relations of reci-
prOcal benefit, has made the bond of our Union no
less civil necessity than n oFp